Harvesters of Hope Announces Opening of The Law Shop – Alabama in Union Springs

UNION SPRINGS, Ala.  — The Harvesters of Hope initiative is proud to announce the opening of The Law Shop – Alabama, founded by attorney Rachel Payton.  (The Law Shop – Alabama, 208 N. Prairie Street, Union Springs, AL  36089, (205) 469-8922) www.lawshopal.com. 

Marking the 10th attorney placement through the Harvesters of Hope initiative, the latest office will officially open in Union Springs during a 12 Noon ribbon cutting and community celebration on May 29, 2026, at 208 N. Prairie Street, Union Springs. Click here to view the invitation and RSVP.

Prior to the grand opening celebration, Payton will host a workshop for current and aspiring business owners titled “Retirement Readiness for Entrepreneurs.” The workshop (from 10 a.m.  to 12 Noon at 208 N. Prairie Street, 2^nd Floor, Union Springs) will focus on helping entrepreneurs and small business owners position their businesses for long-term success, ownership transitions, passive income pathways, and opportunities to create generational wealth.  The event workshop is designed to equip participants with practical tools and strategies related to business readiness, planning, and development in rural communities.

The opening of this Union Springs practice represents another important step in Harvesters of Hope’s mission to address Alabama’s growing “legal desert” crisis by recruiting and supporting attorneys who establish practices in underserved rural communities.

Originally from Mississippi, Payton founded The Law Shop – Alabama as a boutique law firm focused on helping businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and community leaders create strong legal and operational foundations for long-term success.  Through her work, she combines legal strategy with practical business insight to help clients grow with clarity, confidence, and sustainability.

Payton chose to locate her practice in Union Springs through Harvesters of Hope because of her commitment to increasing access to legal services and economic opportunity in rural communities.   “Thriving communities are built when entrepreneurs, families, nonprofits, and local institutions have access to the support and guidance they need to succeed,” said Payton.  “I believe rural communities deserve the same quality legal and strategic resources often concentrated in larger cities, and I’m excited to become part of the Union Springs community.”

In addition to leading The Law Shop – Alabama, Payton is also the founder of We Breathe Business, a consulting company that supports organizations with business development, strategic planning, and project implementation.  Her work emphasizes relationship-building, practical problem-solving, and long-term community and economic development.

Harvesters of Hope was launched to combat Alabama’s attorney shortage in many areas.  According to Alabama State Bar data, 42+ counties in Alabama have fewer than one attorney per 1,000 residents, with the shortage expected to worsen as a significant percentage of the state’s attorneys approach retirement age.

Developed in partnership with the Alabama State Bar and public and private philanthropic partners across the state, Harvesters of Hope seeks to recruit attorneys to underserved communities where access to legal services is limited.

Since August 2025, Harvesters of Hope has been able to recruit and assist ten attorneys in opening legal practices in underserved communities. Those attorneys include:

• Rachel Payton in Union Springs, Bullock County;

• Tiffany Speir in Greenville, Butler County;

• Cade M. Gossett in Centre, Cherokee County;

• Arin Suggs in Fayette, Fayette County;

• Dylan C. Cooper in Scottsboro, Jackson County;

• Nic Cavender in Moulton, Lawrence County;

• Drew Bozeman in Hayneville, Lowndes County;

• Asherica M. Heard in Marion, Perry County;

• Cole Zirbel in Sylacauga, Talladega County; and

• Diana Cannon Wilson in Camden, Wilcox County.

“The opening of Rachel’s office reflects exactly what Harvesters of Hope was designed to accomplish,” said Tom Perry, co-founder of Harvesters of Hope.  “Her commitment to serving rural communities and supporting local economic development will have a meaningful impact in Union Springs and the surrounding region.”

Community members, business leaders, attorneys, and local officials are invited to attend the ribbon cutting celebration on May 29 at 12 noon.

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Media Contact:

Tom Heflin, Executive Director

(256) 483-2887 (cell) or tom@tomheflinlaw.com

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