A new study from Iowa State University, published in the South Dakota Law Review, shows that over half of rural U.S. counties lack enough lawyers—including more than 20 in South Dakota. The shortage affects access to legal help for criminal, family, and estate matters.
USD law professor Hannah Haksgaard says small towns struggle to replace retiring general-practice attorneys, as law graduates often stay in urban areas. South Dakota’s rural attorney recruitment program has placed 36 lawyers since 2013, with 11 still practicing locally.
Haksgaard notes rural lawyers must be versatile, often handling land transactions and serving as broad problem-solvers. Researchers suggest that expanding the role of licensed paraprofessionals could help ease the shortage.
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