1972, April, Pg. 39. Musings on Establishing the Rural Practice.

• Author: Lewis T. Babcock

1 Colo.Law. 39

Colorado Lawyer

1972.

1972, April, Pg. 39.

Musings on Establishing the Rural Practice

391972, April, Pg. 39Musings on Establishing the Rural PracticeLewis T. BabcockLewis T. Babcock, Rocky Ford, is a partner in the firm of Mitchell & Babcock, Rocky Ford. He is City Attorney for the cities of Rocky Ford and Las Animas and president of the Sixteenth Judicial Bar Association.This writer will not pretend that this article is a definitive or conclusive guide to the development of a law practice in a rural community. The variables are too numerous. Consideration must be given to the individual practitioner's personality as well as that of his family, and rural communities themselves tend to have individual personalities (or quirks, if you will). In addition, the financial status of each new lawyer anticipating establishment of the rural practice will vary. As strange as this may seem, lawyers have been known to harbor differing opinions concerning rural practice, and consequently remarks concerning establishment of the rural practice essentially reflect a great deal of opinion. A caveat is therefore in order: This article reflects much of this writer's personal opinion based upon this writer's personal experience.

The DecisionInitially a lawyer must decide whether to step from the glittering metropolis into the proverbial "sticks." There are numerous factors to be weighed in reaching this decision.

Professional reasons contrary to the rural practice may take the following form. If you wish to specialize, don't move to the country. The country lawyer is still basically a general practitioner. There will be no opportunity for association with the large law firm. Firms of from one to four attorneys are the rule in the rural community. There is generally a lack of proximity to the federal courts, administrative agencies, state legislature, large well equipped libraries and continuing legal education seminars. Frequent participation in state bar association activities is inconvenient and involves sacrifice.

Private considerations may also weigh against the rural practice. To one's wife, the rural community may represent the end of the earth. A rural community may be distant from the many cultural activities that only a city can sustain. It may be distant as well from educational facilities, lighter entertainment outlets such as restaurants and night spots, and the city's wide variety of consumer outlets. (Is the latter a blessing in disguise?) Single lawyers

40may feel with some justification that the "action" is not to be found in the country. Nor does there exist in the rural community the ease and flexibility of movement among social circles that exists in the city. Finally, the comfortable degree of anonymity offered by the city is not to be found in the rural community.

On the other hand rationalization in favor of a rural practice may take the following tract. There is a satisfying degree of professional independence immediately available in the rural community that increases with time. If a lawyer...