Snapshot of Iowa Legal Employment
As of recent years, the demand for legal professionals in Iowa remains steady. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not reported substantial industry information about the growth and stability of legal jobs in Iowa, reports from state ABA bar committees reveal a healthy supply of competitive and stable legal employment. More than 3,000 attorneys currently practice in Iowa, with approximately 12 lawyers per 10,000 residents (slightly below the national average of 13 lawyers per 10,000 residents). The largest number of legal jobs are found in law firms, with approximately 50% of all attorneys working here, although many other lawyers (22%) are employed by non-profit organizations and government agencies. In addition, Iowa ranks third in the country for attorney growth , with over 12% growth in total attorney positions from 2014 to 2024. Iowa is most likely to need attorneys in the areas of administrative law, all-others law, business law, contracts, IP, immigration, international law, land use and real estate, and business management. Major law firms in Iowa include Nyemaster Goode, Johansen & Anderson, Belin McCormick P.C., Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave P.C., Smith, Slusky, McAnnich, and Foley, A Law Corporation, Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman, P.L.C., and Davis Brown Law Firm. If you’re looking for legal jobs in the state of Iowa, you may be interested in taking a look at the major cities with the most demand in legal professionals: Cedar Falls (population 126,046), Dubuque (population 98,045), Des Moines (population 594,088), Johnston (population 20,589), Iowa City (population 77,390), Ames (population 66,145), and West Des Moines (population 56,982).
Range of Legal Positions in Demand
Iowa, like many states, boasts a broad spectrum of legal job opportunities. From the private sector to governmental agencies, several thousand legal professionals are making their careers in the Hawkeye State. While the overall number of positions is impressive, law firms, government agencies, and private employers overwhelmingly favor attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants when it comes time to filling positions. Attorneys are steadily in demand in Iowa, with opportunities stretching from Cedar Falls to Davenport. Most attorney openings in the state are found at private law firms, although businesses often seek them for internal counsel and the state’s extensive court systems also needs them to serve as judges. Administrative Law Judges are particularly sought, thanks to the state’s diverse workforce and industries. The second most common legal position in Iowa is paralegal. Paralegals provide essential support to attorneys in preparing for cases before they go to trial. They gather facts, draft documents, and organize evidence under the close supervision of the lawyers they work with. As paralegals can be employed in both private law firms and corporate legal departments, there are substantial numbers of them serving in medical and educational institutions as well. Working alongside paralegals are legal assistants. Legal assistants perform many of the same functions as paralegals, but where the work of a paralegal usually falls under the direction of a lawyer, a legal assistant often works independently. Law school graduates not yet admitted to the bar may work as law clerks for judges and experienced lawyers. Law clerks research the law and help their judges prepare opinions. Clerks are vital to assisting judges and many aspiring lawyers hope to land clerkships at the state, appellate or federal court levels.
Necessary Qualifications and Expertise
The qualifications for legal jobs in Iowa can vary across the many different career paths available to individuals with a law degree. The most common way to enter the legal profession in Iowa is to earn a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, and then successfully pass the bar examination in order to obtain a license to practice law in the state of Iowa. All prospective lawyers must also possess a high level of critical thinking and logical reasoning skills in order to develop effective legal arguments or defend clients’ interests.
In addition to their law degree, lawyers would benefit by obtaining a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, which is designed to give them an additional specialization in different areas of law, and help them become more valuable to their firms. Those who wish to pursue careers in academia or conduct legal research may also wish to seek a PhD in Law.
Prospective lawyers should also possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and the ability to understand the intricate details of various complex issues. In addition, they must have strong negotiation skills, be persuasive, be financially savvy, and have excellent research and analytical skills.
Paralegals, social security disability advocates, and legal secretaries also require specific educational degrees and skills to pursue a career practicing the law. For example, paralegals generally are required to hold a bachelor’s degree, and those who work with specific groups of clients, such as veterans, are often required to take specialized training courses that are approved by an accredited organization.
A paralegal’s most desirable skills are attention to detail, the ability to meet strict deadlines, excellent written skills, strong supporting and organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and excellent interpersonal, research, and analytical skills. Paralegals must also have a strong knowledge of the federal, state, and local laws, which they often obtain through completing an educational program specializing in legal studies, completing a certificate program or taking paralegal courses, or gaining experience working in the legal field.
Social security disability advocates also require a high level of knowledge in both federal and state laws, and must possess fast and accurate research skills, as well as excellent communication, problem-solving, and listening skills. They must also be familiar with clients’ medical conditions and records, and understand how to prepare and file a disability application if the client has not done so on their own. Those who are seeking their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, would also benefit from working with a legal professional.
Legal secretaries must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, must possess the ability to multitask, be self-motivated and dedicated, and be highly organized, with great attention to detail. They must also have strong research and analysis skills, and be familiar with the different laws and regulations affecting the law firm they are employed with.
Practice Networking and Associations
Networking is a critical aspect of building a successful legal career. The legal profession is closely knit through a wide range of events that all lawyers are invited to.
Judges and lawyers routinely attend a function together in a setting where you can acquire invaluable contacts. Law firms, the Iowa State Bar Association and the various county bar associations sponsor a plethora of events designed to help their members network. Even events that are not sponsored by a professional organization are a great source for networking.
Networking is an essential part of the job search process and it is never too late to start. Professional organizations schedule key events around the state. These events are typically open to all attendees and handles by a staff member who typically knows everyone.
A selection of leading professional organizations for networking and resource information in Iowa includes:
Iowacourts.gov: A list of local, state and federal bar organizations in Iowa.
IA Lawyer Finder: An online referral service of the Iowa State Bar Association to locate a lawyer qualified to meet needs.
Local County Bar Associations: Contact them to learn about local bar functions in your area.
Guidelines for Applications and Interviews
Effective job applications and interviews are crucial to successfully landing a desired position. For legal careers, specific considerations and best practices help candidates stand out.
A clearly stated objective. In your cover letter and resume, clearly express your objective. If you are looking for plaintiff-side work or only federal clerkships, be direct about it. It may be more effective to tailor your application to a specific position with an explanation for your interest than to send a generic application to every available opening.
Careful attention to detail. Pay close attention to spelling and grammar when submitting written applications. Hiring firms consider such basics in their initial evaluations of candidates. Also, tailor each application to the specific firm and position. Whether using a general cover letter or resume format, be sure that firm names and other details are consistently correct. Independent review is the best way to avoid errors and omissions .
Show understanding of the firm’s history and culture. Each Iowa law firm has a unique history and culture. Provide substantive examples of your warmth, thoughtfulness and personal interests to indicate how you would fit in. It is important that firms have a sense of your personality and values.
Practice interviewing. It is critical to be comfortable and conversational in an interview. Make sure you understand the process before it begins. Be proactive in your communication with firm representatives, and have questions ready to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the position. Take time to carefully rehearse and answer all potential interview questions. Your confidence and preparation will help you connect with your interviewers.
Be calm and show your enthusiasm. Interviewers want to know how you treat others and if you are someone they want to work with. Being yourself and relaxing will go a long way in landing a job.
Key Iowa Legal Employers and Firms
Iowa’s legal landscape includes a diverse array of employers, from full-service law firms serving clients in the Midwest and beyond, to specialized boutique firms that focus on niche areas of practice. When exploring career opportunities in Iowa law, firm size and focus can vary widely; from large multinational firms like Nyemaster Goode, a top full-service firm within the state, to boutique firms such as Bready Law Firm, which focuses on employment law.
The largest law firm in Iowa, Belin McCormick, P.C. features a diverse group of attorneys specializing in various practice areas, including litigation, environmental and natural resources, health care, and corporate law. On the other end of the spectrum, Iowa Legal Aid operates using an alternative ownership model, focusing solely on delivering legal aid services to low-income Iowans, rather than offering private legal services.
In addition to well-established law firms, numerous companies and organizations regularly seek legal professionals to fill in-house positions. For example, units within major health systems like UnityPoint Health offer legal positions to assist with legal questions pertaining to a health care system. Companies within the renewable energy sector, and those offering a range of software products and services like Workiva, also require legal staff, making them potential opportunities for law professionals in Iowa.
Each of these employers has developed its own company culture and values, and it is worth investigating what they are looking for in candidates beyond having a law degree.
The Legal Landscape of the Future in Iowa
The legal industry in Iowa, as in the rest of the country, is on the verge of significant change. The expansion of technology into all professions continues to grow. Some areas of the legal profession have been changed drastically over the past 20 years and Iowans can expect to continue to see services offered online and in new fashions, such as through the use of artificial intelligence or crowdsourcing.
One forecast for law practices is the continued shift by young lawyers toward the practice of law in non-traditional settings. On average, persons under the age of 40 trend toward working in a non-traditional law firm, even starting their own practices to accommodate their desired work schedules and professional goals. These individuals are more likely to leave the legal sector within two years than older workers, according to a survey from the American Bar Association. While there are many factors that influence these statistics, a bar-mentoring program offered by the Iowa State Bar Association has seen surprising success. The program places young lawyers in offices with more seasoned lawyers who are willing to work to mentor a new attorney, though not necessarily as a partner. The results of the mentoring program are the focus of a continuing study by the IASB.
Young lawyers trend toward working and living a specific lifestyle , bringing them closer to the communities and people they serve. Long-term researchers of this demographic report that they seek balance, a good quality of life and work-life harmony, over monetary compensation.
Research shows that clients seek legal professionals who have advanced degrees and greater knowledge of specific areas of law. The competition to produce the most skilled lawyers is best met by law schools that offer part-time and weekend programs. This also allows law students to continue their careers or spend additional time with their families.
A unique trend is currently taking place in Iowa. For more than 20 years, Iowa has had a full-time program for lawyers who want to work in a public sector or a general practice environment. The State of Iowa is in the process of instituting Reciprocal Admission to Foreign Lawyers for EU and EEA lawyers. This offers an opportunity to any lawyer who has lived and worked in the U.S. and is a member of law societies in the EU or EEA. The Iowa scheme will allow EU and EEA lawyers to enter into a program allowing them to live in Iowa and work in a similar capacity as noted above, while preserving their eligibility to practice in their own country.
Future trends in the legal profession indicate the need for both traditional and non-traditional means of gaining legal representation. The future of Iowa legal professions could come from both within and outside of the state.
