MANHATTAN — The Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) Legal Foundation has named three new attorneys as recipients of the organization’s Rural Law Practice Grants.

Paige Harding, Clarissa Ratzlaff and Jack Roenne are eligible to receive up to $16,500 each to help defray the cost of their education as they begin practicing law in rural areas of Kansas. All three graduated from the Washburn University School of Law.

“Kansas farmers and ranchers need sound legal advice across a broad range of issues, especially as operations expand and become more complex,” Wendee Grady, Kansas Farm Bureau Legal Foundation director, says. “I’m excited KFB’s Legal Foundation is helping three new attorneys begin their careers in roles that impact the quality of life for farmers, ranchers and rural Kansans.” 

Harding plans to join the practice of Kennedy Berkley law firm, with offices in Salina and Dodge City. Ratzlaff and Roenne plan to practice with Watkins Calcara law firm in Great Bend.

The KFB Legal Foundation board selects up to three recipients each year from law students in the fall semester before their anticipated graduation date. The selection process favors applicants who demonstrate a strong desire to live and work in rural Kansas, understand the legal issues farmers and ranchers commonly face, have high academic achievements and show a financial need. Rural Kansas is defined as anywhere outside Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee or Wyandotte counties. 

Recipients receive the grant money in three installments, with the first $5,500 paid after passing the bar examination and starting practice in rural Kansas. The remaining installments will be paid after a recipient’s continued practice in rural Kansas for one and two years, respectively. To date, nine grant recipients are working in private and public positions in six counties in Kansas and are eligible to receive nearly $150,000 from the Rural Law Practice Grant program.

KFB’s Legal Foundation is accepting applications for the next round of grants through Nov. 1. Applicants must complete the application and submit it with a résumé, transcript and letter of recommendation. For more information about the Rural Law Practice Grant or to view an application, visit www.kfb.org/legalfoundation.