Attorneys interested in the future of rural law practice will have an opportunity to engage in statewide conversations about community impact, professional opportunity, and long-term sustainability during the Rural Practice Symposium at the 2026 ISBA Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 25. The symposium will bring together attorneys, legal educators, policymakers, and community leaders for a series of discussions focused on the evolving role of rural lawyers in Iowa communities and the growing need to attract and retain attorneys outside metropolitan areas.
The program begins at 9 a.m. with “The Rural Lawyer: How to Incentivize Rural Law Practice and Help Small Communities Thrive,” presented by Professor Hannah Haksgaard of the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law. The session will examine the challenges rural communities face in maintaining access to legal services and explore strategies to encourage attorneys to build practices in smaller communities.
At 10 a.m., practicing attorneys from across Iowa will share firsthand experiences during “Rural Law in Practice: Perspectives from the Field.” Moderated by Ryan Daisy of Willson & Pechacek, PLC, the panel features Ally Bedwell of Reynoldson, Van Werden & McCoy, LLP; Michael Mahaffey of Mahaffey Law Office; Abby Wessel of Rickert, Wessel & Allen; and Jennifer Harrington of Buchanan, Bibler, Gabor, & Meis. The discussion will focus on the realities of practicing in rural Iowa, including the professional advantages, community connections, and diverse legal work often associated with small-town practice.
The symposium concludes with “Around the Table: Rural Lawyers and Stakeholders in Conversation,” a collaborative discussion bringing together leaders from law, government, higher education, agriculture, and economic development. Moderated by Kathy Law of Nyemaster Goode, P.C., the panel includes Professor Jennifer Zwagerman, director of the Drake Agricultural Law Center; Professor Brian Farrell, director of the Citizen Lawyer Program at the University of Iowa College of Law; Ryan Daisy of Willson & Pechacek, PLC; Representative Brian Lohse of Iowa House District 45; Omar Padilla, stakeholder; and World Food Prize Foundation CEO and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The conversation is expected to address the broader role attorneys play in sustaining rural communities, supporting economic growth, and helping address workforce and access-to-justice challenges throughout the state.
The Rural Practice Symposium reflects growing statewide attention on the need for legal services in rural Iowa and the importance of developing pathways for attorneys interested in practicing outside urban centers. For newer attorneys and law students, the program also offers insight into career paths that combine professional development with meaningful community engagement. The symposium is part of the ISBA Annual Meeting, which brings together attorneys from across Iowa for continuing legal education, networking, and leadership programming.
Additional information and registration details for the Annual Meeting are available through the ISBA Annual Meeting event page.
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