Race Day Live Kansas is facing a serious shortage of lawyers, especially in rural areas. In response, some officials are discussing the idea of opening a satellite law school in Wichita.
This would work like the University of Kansas School of Medicine’s Wichita campus, allowing students to study law without relocating to Topeka or Lawrence, where the state’s only two law schools are located.
According to a recent report, Kansas has fewer than three lawyers for every 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of four. This shortage affects both private law firms and public legal services.
Many lawyers are retiring, and fewer students are pursuing law degrees, making it difficult to replace those who leave the profession.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett is among those pushing for a law school in Wichita.
He explained that moving to Topeka or Lawrence for three years is not practical for many students, especially those with families or jobs.
A local school would make legal education more accessible to people in south-central Kansas.
The idea has been discussed with local governments, the University of Kansas, and the Kansas Board of Regents.
Mark Dupree, president of the Kansas Bar Association, said that while a new law school may not be necessary, a satellite campus could help address the lawyer shortage.
He emphasized the need to provide opportunities for people interested in becoming lawyers.
Although no firm plans have been made, supporters of the idea hope to keep the conversation going.
Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty said discussions like these are important for the community, even though changes will take time.
Bennett estimated that if everything goes well, the first class could start in five years.
Meanwhile, the shortage of lawyers in Kansas is expected to get worse. Many attorneys in rural areas are approaching retirement, and fewer students are entering law school.
The state is not producing enough new lawyers to replace those who leave, and nearly half of law graduates move out of state.
Private law firms are also struggling to attract attorneys. Andy Nolan, a corporate lawyer in Wichita, said his firm competes with larger firms in Kansas City for talent.
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Smaller communities have an even harder time, with some counties having only a handful of lawyers—or none at all. This lack of legal professionals means people in rural areas have limited access to legal help.
The impact of this shortage is felt across the legal system. In some counties, local governments must offer higher salaries to attract attorneys, leading to increased costs.
For district attorneys, fewer lawyers mean heavier caseloads, less time for individual cases, and higher burnout rates. Bennett noted that experienced attorneys take years to develop, and losing them weakens the entire legal system.
Dupree warned that the shortage of attorneys could lead to more legal problems for the community.
Without experienced lawyers, people may struggle to get proper legal representation, leading to potential injustices and even fraudulent activities.
The issue is growing, and finding a solution is crucial for the future of Kansas’ legal system.
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