Episode 1: Law on a Gravel Road
I'm honored to kick off this journey with an incredible guest, Gabrielle Vázquez, whose story challenges the idea that success only happens in big cities.
After building her legal career in New York City, Gabrielle made the bold decision to move to Iowa—and discovered opportunities, community, balance, and professional growth she never expected.
In this episode, we discuss:
Building a successful legal career outside major metropolitan areas
Why rural and small-town communities offer unique opportunities for professionals
The future of rural America and why talented professionals are choosing a different path
Law on a Gravel Road is more than a podcast. It's a movement dedicated to elevating the voices, stories, challenges, and opportunities of rural communities across Iowa and America.
The conversations we're having matter because access to legal services, healthcare, economic development, and community leadership will shape the future of our small towns for generations to come.
A huge thank you to Gabrielle for sharing her journey and helping launch this important conversation.
Episode 2 Law on a Gravel Road
What happens when law students trade the classroom for a rural courtroom and rural legal experiences?
In our latest episode, we sit down with Drake Law students Ashley and Emerson to discuss their experiences through the Rural Access to Justice Initiative (RAJI) and how one summer challenged their assumptions about practicing law in rural communities.
We explore:
-What they thought rural law would be before the program
-The reality of working in a rural legal practice
-Building relationships in communities where lawyers are more than legal advisors
-The unique opportunities for professional growth and impact
-How Drake University Law School helped prepare them for real-world legal practice
Why the future of rural law may depend on experiences like RAJI
Across Iowa and rural America, communities are facing critical shortages of attorneys. The question isn't just who will practice law in these communities tomorrow; it's how we inspire the next generation to see the opportunities that already exist today.
This conversation offers an honest look at the challenges, rewards, and possibilities of rural practice from the perspective of those experiencing it firsthand.
What surprised me most is how often the biggest opportunities are found in the places people overlook.
Episode 3 of Law on a Gravel Road is Here, featuring Ryan Daisy.
This week, as legal professionals from across the state gather for the annual Iowa State Bar Association Meeting, the conversations happening in our newest episode couldn't be more timely.
Across Iowa, communities are facing a growing challenge: ensuring that every resident, regardless of their ZIP code, has meaningful access to legal representation. The future of rural law isn't a problem for tomorrow. It's a conversation that deserves attention today.
In Episode 3 of Law on a Gravel Road, we continue exploring the opportunities, challenges, and innovative solutions shaping the future of rural legal practice. Through honest conversations with leaders and advocates who are passionate about strengthening Iowa's legal profession, we're highlighting why rural communities matter and why investing in the next generation of attorneys benefits our entire state.
As we attend this year's Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, we're encouraged to see these important topics taking center stage. Bringing together attorneys, judges, law students, educators, and community leaders is exactly how meaningful progress begins.
Whether you're practicing law in a rural community, considering where your career might take you, or simply care about preserving access to justice across Iowa, this episode is for you.
If you are attending the Iowa State Bar Association Meeting over the next couple of days, stop by the Law On A Gravel Road Room to share your insights. As Kathy Law wraps up an incredible year as President of the Bar Association, Law on a Gravel Road is an ongoing effort to share achievements and raise awareness of rural practice across our state.Episode 3 of Law on a Gravel Road is Here, featuring Ryan Daisy.
This week, as legal professionals from across the state gather for the annual Iowa State Bar Association Meeting, the conversations happening in our newest episode couldn't be more timely.
Across Iowa, communities are facing a growing challenge: ensuring that every resident, regardless of their ZIP code, has meaningful access to legal representation. The future of rural law isn't a problem for tomorrow. It's a conversation that deserves attention today.
In Episode 3 of Law on a Gravel Road, we continue exploring the opportunities, challenges, and innovative solutions shaping the future of rural legal practice. Through honest conversations with leaders and advocates who are passionate about strengthening Iowa's legal profession, we're highlighting why rural communities matter and why investing in the next generation of attorneys benefits our entire state.
As we attend this year's Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, we're encouraged to see these important topics taking center stage. Bringing together attorneys, judges, law students, educators, and community leaders is exactly how meaningful progress begins.
Whether you're practicing law in a rural community, considering where your career might take you, or simply care about preserving access to justice across Iowa, this episode is for you.
If you are attending the Iowa State Bar Association Meeting over the next couple of days, stop by the Law On A Gravel Road Room to share your insights. As Kathy Law wraps up an incredible year as President of the Bar Association, Law on a Gravel Road is an ongoing effort to share achievements and raise awareness of rural practice across our state.
Episode 4: Finding Your Place: Building a Legal Career in Rural Iowa with Ally B.
Every community has a story. Every courthouse has a history. And every attorney has a journey that led them to the place they now call home.
In Episode 4 of Law on a Gravel Road, Kathy Law sits down with @Ally B, a young attorney who chose a path that many new lawyers overlook: building a career in rural Iowa.
At a time when many rural communities face an increasing shortage of attorneys, Ally represents something incredibly important: the next generation of legal professionals choosing to invest in small-town America.
Throughout this conversation, Ally shares what drew her to Osceola, the rewards of practicing in a close-knit community, and the unique opportunity young attorneys have to make an immediate impact. Unlike larger metropolitan firms, where it can take years to build meaningful client relationships, rural practice allows attorneys to become trusted advisors, community leaders, and advocates from day one.
Together, Kathy and Ally discuss:
Why rural Iowa offers remarkable opportunities for young attorneys.
The challenges and rewards of serving clients where relationships matter.
How mentorship and community involvement shape a successful legal career. They also discuss the importance of being involved with the Iowa State Bar Association.
The misconceptions many law students have about rural practice.
Why choosing a small town doesn't mean thinking small.
This episode isn't simply about practicing law, it's about building a life.
It's about becoming part of a community where your work matters, your neighbors know your name, and your impact reaches far beyond the courtroom.
As Iowa continues to face a growing shortage of rural attorneys, conversations like these become increasingly important. The future of access to justice depends on talented young professionals willing to answer the call.
Whether you're a law student considering your future, an attorney exploring new opportunities, or a community leader invested in the future of rural Iowa, Ally's story deserves to be heard.
Because sometimes the most rewarding legal careers aren't found on busy city streets…
They're found on a gravel road.
Episode 5: Five Decades of Serving Rural Iowa
What does it take to build a law practice that stands the test of time? In Episode 5 of Law on a Gravel Road, Kathy Law sits down with an attorney who has dedicated more than 50 years to serving the people of rural Iowa.
Through decades of legal practice, community leadership, and trusted relationships, this conversation explores how the role of a rural attorney extends far beyond the courtroom. From witnessing the evolution of the legal profession to mentoring future generations, this episode is filled with wisdom, perspective, and lessons that are as relevant today as ever.
Whether you're an experienced attorney, a law student considering rural practice, or someone who values the strength of small-town communities, this episode offers an inspiring look at a career built on integrity, service, and lasting impact.
In this episode, you'll discover:
What has changed—and what hasn't in rural law over the past 50 years.
Why relationships remain the foundation of a successful legal practice.
The unique rewards and challenges of serving rural communities.
Advice for young attorneys considering a career outside of urban markets.
Why access to justice depends on strong, committed rural lawyers.
For more than half a century, this attorney has been a trusted advocate, counselor, and community leader. His story is a powerful reminder that the greatest careers aren't measured by the size of the city you serve, but by the lives you impact along the way.
Subscribe to Law on a Gravel Road for conversations that celebrate the attorneys, communities, and stories preserving access to justice across rural America one gravel road at a time.