Alabama’s Rural “Legal Deserts” Leave Thousands Without Local Attorneys

A recent article from Public News Service highlights the shortage of attorneys in rural Alabama and the work Harvesters of Hope is doing to expand access to legal services in underserved communities.

Nearly two-thirds of Alabama counties have fewer than one attorney for every 1,000 residents, while approximately 78% of the state’s attorneys are concentrated in just seven counties. For residents of rural communities, that can mean traveling long distances or struggling to find local representation for everyday legal needs.

Harvesters of Hope founders Tom Heflin and Tom Perry spoke about the impact of these “legal deserts” and the organization’s efforts to recruit attorneys to communities where legal services are limited. Harvesters of Hope provides participating attorneys with financial assistance, mentoring, and law practice management support to help them establish and grow sustainable practices in rural Alabama.

Read the full article from Public News Service here.