South Dakota tries to lure lawyers to rural areas of the state

Even as lawyers across the country struggle to find jobs, they don't seem willing to work in sparsely-populated parts of the country. The shortage of lawyers in rural America a big enough problem that last summer the American Bar Association asked federal, state and local governments to do something to entice lawyers to work in rural areas.

South Dakota passed a law last month that sets up a pilot program that will give lawyers an annual subsidy to live and work outside of its biggest cities as long as they make a five-year commitment. It's being compared to similar programs aimed at attracting doctors, nurses and dentists.

Robert Enger, president of the Minnesota Bar Association, and Thomas Barnett, executive director of the State Bar of South Dakota, join The Daily Circuit to discuss the need for rural lawyers.

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