Rural Attorney Recruitment Program

The Unified Judicial System and the State Bar of South Dakota are committed to assuring that South Dakotans have access to quality attorneys. The South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program provides qualifying attorneys an incentive payment in return for five continuous years of practice in an eligible rural county (population of 10,000 or less) or municipality (population of 3,500 or less).

Attorneys must enter into a contract with the UJS, State Bar, and the eligible county or municipality. Program participants receive five annual incentive payments of $12,513.60 per year (equivalent to 90% of one year’s resident law school tuition and fees)—a total of $62,568 over five years.

The South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program (RARP) was established in 2013. 

Program Statistics

  • 36 attorneys have participated in the program. 
  • 11 attorneys are actively practicing in rural communities. 
  • 19 attorneys have graduated from the program.
  • 6 contracts were terminated due to different job opportunities. 
  • 14 graduates have stayed in their communities. 

Numbers through June 30, 2025.

More Information

For more information on the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program contact:

Carrie Srstka, UJS Staff Attorney
Phone: 605.774.2077
Email: Caroline.Srstka@ujs.state.sd.us.

Application Information

Map of the counties and municipalities eligible by population to participant in the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program.

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Application for the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program.

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Contract for the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program.

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Program Information

Fiscal year 2025 annual report for the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program.

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Map of the eligible counties and current participants of the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program.

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List of current participants and participants who have completed the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program.

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List of the counties where South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program applicants have been placed.

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