One town is desperate for lawyers

BRUCE, Miss. (WCBI) – Years ago, Bruce had seven lawyers.

Now, there’s one. Meet Ben Suber.

“Originally when I was in law school, there were numerous attorneys in this county, especially in Bruce, and now I’m one of the few one or two attorneys here. There’s so much work in these small towns,” said Suber.

While trying to help clients, Suber spreads his time being a public defender, a city judge and a defense prosecutor in Pittsboro.

He said all that work is required, mostly because there’s no one left.

Cliff Easley Jr. is retiring from 50 years of practice. He said Bruce desperately needs more lawyers.

“Most of these people don’t wanna come back to a small town.They gotta generate enough income just to keep their doors open,” said Easley.

Both layers said there are pros and cons practicing law in a close-knit community.

“You do see a lot of conflict being in a small town because you know just about everybody in town. I can’t tell you how many times someone’s come and wanted me to represent them and I can’t because I’m representing somebody else that would have a conflict with that,” said Suber.

With a smaller population and fewer job resources, it can be difficult for small town lawyers to keep their doors open.

“I never did charge much hardly work for stuff like that most of the time I didn’t charge them anything,” said Easley.