Law School Rural Justice Program nominated for American Bar Association award; public invited to vote

The Rural Justice Program, a partnership among the UND School of Law, the State Bar Association of North Dakota and the North Dakota state courts to encourage law students to pursue legal careers in rural communities in North Dakota, was recently nominated for the 2017 ABA Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access.

Public Encouraged to Vote for Rural Justice Program

As a nominee, the Rural Justice Program is also considered for an award selected through an online public vote.  Each nominee of the Brown Award is in the running for Brown Select, which will be presented to the nominee that gets the most votes from the general public through online voting.

UND faculty, staff and students are encouraged to support the Rural Justice Program by participating in the public vote. To participate, access the Brown Select site here – http://ow.ly/5NPb307jhiP and click on the “vote here” link. Voting for the Brown Select closes at noon CST on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.

“The lawyer shortage, especially in rural areas in North Dakota, creates a real crisis for the citizens of our state who don’t have access to adequate legal services,” said Dean Kathryn Rand. “Our strong partnership with our state bench and bar inspired the Rural Justice Program, and it has successfully placed future attorneys to experience working in rural areas.  We are pleased this important program is nominated for the Brown Award.”

The goal of the program is to provide a rural work experience to current students to encourage them to consider rural practice after graduation. Each summer, stipends are awarded to 7 or 8 students who secure summer legal employment in a rural community with a state judge, a state’s attorney office, indigent defense services or a solo or small law firm. The Rural Justice Program also provides educational and career development programming for law students.