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

Ian Englebright, McKennah Hammeke, Melissa Hendricks and Isaac Vasquez 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. Englebright is a University of Kansas School of Law graduate. Hammeke, Hendricks and Vasquez received their law degrees from Washburn University School of Law.

“From estate planning to complex negotiations around energy and other topics, Kansas farmers and ranchers need access to sound legal advice from trusted practitioners as their operations become even more advanced,” says Terry Holdren, Kansas Farm Bureau CEO and general counsel. “I’m excited KFB’s Legal Foundation is helping these new attorneys begin their careers in roles that impact the quality of life for farmers, ranchers and rural Kansans.” 

Englebright has joined the Ford County Attorney’s Office. Hammeke has joined the firm of Watkins Calcara Chtd., in Barton County. Hendricks has joined McPherson County’s Wise & Reber L.C. Vasquez is an associate at Jeter Law Firm LLP in Ellis County.

The KFB Legal Foundation board selects grant 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, 15 grant recipients are working in private and public positions in 12 counties in Kansas and are eligible to receive nearly $250,000 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 click here. To view an application, click here.