Kansas Farm Bureau Legal Foundation wards $33,000 in Rural Law Practice Grants to two attorneys

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Kansas Farm Bureau Legal Foundation has awarded Rural Law Practice Grants totaling up to $33,000 to two attorneys beginning their careers in rural Kansas communities.

William Hoy and Thomas Kucera each received grants worth up to $16,500 to help offset educational costs as they start practicing law in rural areas of the state. Hoy, a Washburn University School of Law graduate, has joined the Coffeyville-based firm Hall Levy DeVore Bell Ott and Kritz in Montgomery County. Kucera, who earned his juris doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law, works in the Reno County District Attorney's office in Hutchinson.

"Kansas farmers and ranchers need sound legal advice across a broad range of issues, especially as operations expand and become more complex," said Terry Holdren, Kansas Farm Bureau CEO and general counsel. "I'm excited KFB's Legal Foundation is helping two new attorneys begin their careers in roles that impact the quality of life for farmers, ranchers and rural Kansans."

The KFB Legal Foundation board selects up to three recipients annually from law students in their final semester before graduation. The selection process prioritizes applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to living and working in rural Kansas, understand legal issues commonly facing farmers and ranchers, have strong academic records and show financial need.

For grant purposes, rural Kansas includes all areas outside Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee and Wyandotte counties.

Recipients receive grant money in three installments. The first payment of $5,500 comes after passing the bar examination and beginning practice in rural Kansas. The remaining installments are distributed after one and two years of continued rural practice.

Since the program's inception, 11 grant recipients have worked in private and public positions across 10 Kansas counties and are eligible to receive more than $180,000 from the Rural Law Practice Grant program.

The foundation is accepting applications for the next round of grants through Nov. 1. Applicants must submit a completed application along with a resume, transcript and letter of recommendation.

More information about the Rural Law Practice Grant and applications are available on the Kansas Farm Bureau website.