A little of this, a little of that: rural law practice in Iowa.

Sitting in my office this morning with my window open to enjoy the fresh spring air, it occurs to me why I enjoy being a rural practitioner.

Cars are whizzing by on one of the busier streets of my small town. And pick ups. And delivery trucks. And even tractors. That's the essence of my small town -- there is a little bit of everything right here.

And that is the beauty of a rural practice -- there is a little bit of everything. My open files include criminal law matters from simple through aggravated misdemeanors, step-parent adoptions, drafting wills for a married couple with a young child, helping a homeowner sell their house, representing parents and children in juvenile court, divorces and child custody cases, and assisting a non-profit in forming their business. I have the opportunity to get out of my office on a regular basis, both here in town and to surrounding counties. The baristas at our coffee shop know my name. I can walk to the post office, my bank, and my house from my office. 

The opinion that practicing in a small town would be boring could not be further from the truth. Most attorneys, whether they practice in a large city or a small town, do not have a glamorous Stern, Lockhart & Gardner-esque experience. Unfortunately most people do not view it that way, which explains why we have a shortage of younger attorneys in the rural counties of Iowa. They don't know what they're missing!