The ISBA's attorney shortage plan is a roadmap designed to address one of the most urgent challenges facing Indiana’s legal system: a growing shortage of attorneys, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Focused on education, connections, and advocacy, the plan outlines key initiatives to support rural practice, expand licensure pathways,
and explore the role of Allied Legal Professionals. By aligning member insights and Supreme Court priorities, this plan not only tackles critical challenges but also creates new opportunities for legal service providers across Indiana. Explore how these efforts
may benefit your practice and how you can get involved in shaping the future of the profession.
Because ISBA is an organization guided and driven by its members, so was the creation of this plan. It is the product of member task force efforts,
Annual Summit participation and feedback, conversations across the Indiana legal community, and research by ISBA leaders and staff.
For additional information about Indiana's attorney shortage, here are a few resources we encourage you to review:
Focus areas
To address the attorney shortage issue holistically, this plan is structured around three core pillars:
- Rural Practice and Alternative Business Models
- Paths to Licensure and Practice Readiness
- Allied Legal Professionals
Each pillar includes specific goals and corresponding tactics to achieve them. Below is a condensed summary of these goals and tactics, along with opportunities to engage as an ISBA member.
Download a copy of the full plan here. »
Pillar I: Rural Practice and Alternative Business Models
Objective: Support attorneys in building sustainable practices in underserved areas.
- Develop an incubator cohort program to equip lawyers with practice management skills.
- Create a rural practice resource hub with education, connection, and mentorship opportunities.
- Advocate for financial incentives (loan forgiveness, tax credits, stipends) to encourage rural practice.
Pillar II: Paths to Licensure and Practice Readiness
Objective: Ensure new lawyers are well-prepared to serve Indiana’s communities.
- Enhance experiential learning opportunities for law students and graduates.
- Explore alternative pathways to licensure, including supervised practice models.
- Support reforms to make the Indiana Bar Exam a stronger measure of competency.
Pillar III: Allied Legal Professionals (ALPs)
Objective: Define and shape how ALPs can support legal services in Indiana, should the Supreme Court implement such a program.
- Work with the Supreme Court to determine ALP regulations and oversight.
- Educate the legal community on potential ALP roles and responsibilities.
- Position ISBA as a leader in training and credentialing ALPs.
Get Involved
Your involvement is critical in helping ISBA address the growing shortage of legal services across Indiana. As our plan progresses, we will be adding new opportunities and programs to this page. Check back frequently for specific ways to volunteer.
In the meantime, you can support the legal shortage by mentoring new attorneys, shaping policy discussions, contributing to rural practice initiatives, or supporting alternative licensure pathways. Join a section or committee, attend relevant CLEs, or share your insights to help us refine and implement these initiatives.
If you have questions or ideas for getting involved, contact Christine Cordial, Director of Justice Initiatives, at ccordial@inbar.org.
