The Iowa Legal Industry
The Iowa legal market currently offers a robust demand for attorneys in a number of practice areas. Overall, Iowa law jobs have rebounded in the last five years, and while demand is high, it is not what it once was pre-2009. In general, our Iowa law firm clients seek qualified candidates with a minimum of three years of experience. In-house opportunities tend to have stricter standards and require at least five to seven years of experience. It is not uncommon to see an Iowa law firm requesting at least five years’ experience for all associates.
Iowa law firms continue to focus on corporate and insurance regulatory counsel. These areas are in high demand and are expected to remain that way over the next five to 10 years. With that said, the legal market does suffer from a skills mismatch, where levels of demand for specific types of work do not match candidates’ availability in those practice areas.
As our latest State of U.S. Law Firm Hiring report indicated, Iowa continues to experience hiring at a steady pace and expects to maintain modest growth over the next few years. Iowa law firms also continue to rely on lateral hiring to bolster their ranks, but not as aggressively as they have in the past . Law firm hiring is concentrated in Iowa’s largest cities—Des Moines and Cedar Rapids—which account for more than half of the Iowa legal market in terms of law firm population.
Iowa has a small but strong federal presence, so public interest candidates seeking positions in the state can find opportunities at several government agencies, but job seekers should be prepared to cast a wide net. Federal judges hire very rarely so those seeking more than a clerkship should consider applying for federal positions in other states, particularly neighboring cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis and Omaha.
Overall, Iowa law firms operate in a highly personal environment. Unlike some markets where exceptions are made for the right candidate or law school, in Iowa law firms know precisely where their markets lie both in terms of law school pedigree and practice group experience. The cultural fit is a huge factor for many and big law firms in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city, have taken great strides to emphasize their active professional and social scenes when recruiting from the top law schools in the Midwest.
Iowa’s Legal Employers
Iowa boasts a number of legal employers in the private and public sector. The largest firms in Iowa include BrownWinick, Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C., Nyemaster, Goode, Voight, Greer & Nichol, P.C., and Forester, Haynie, & Kazmierski, P.C. All of these law firms have offices in industrial hubs like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport.
Corporations are also major legal employers in Iowa. Some of the largest corporations headquartered in Iowa are Rockwell Collins Inc., Maytag Corp., and Quad/Graphics. Unfortunately, large corporations often use in-house counsel to carry out basic legal functions. Instead, large law firms hire attorneys to do work for corporations, so this does not offer many job opportunities.
New Iowa lawyers may also find career opportunities in state and federal government. Some large employers in Iowa’s government include the Department of Human Services and the Department of Workforce Development. Governor Terry Branstad and Attorney General Tom Miller may also hire law clerks in their offices.
The U.S. Department of Labor indicates steady job growth in the legal profession in Iowa. The state’s employment analyst believes that the legal profession may expand modestly, partly due to changes in immigration law and increased demand for family legal services.
Skills Needed for Iowa Law Jobs
Essential skills for Iowa legal jobs encompass a combination of practical experience and relevant certifications. Employment growth for all lawyers is projected at 6%, indicating that onsite training and experience can be a significant factor in achieving the most coveted positions.
A law firm that employs numerous lawyers in Iowa or that has a strong presence in Iowa will seek to employ attorneys who are eligible to practice before the Iowa Supreme Court. Employers often ask for the certificate of admission to practice law so that they know whether an applicant is barred or not. Many law firms require their attorneys to maintain good standing with the state bar association, while others also expect their attorneys to obtain further certifications in specialty areas and meet other educational requirements.
Attorneys should seek continuing education classes that will enhance their skill sets as areas of specialty become more important. Certifications in dispute resolution and mediation may be desirable for academic and research positions and those who plan to teach or perform academic research should consider a Ph.D. or a J.S.D. The increase in alternative ways of resolving disputes is likely to create greater demand for attorneys who have the necessary training and experience in these areas.
Corporate counsel positions may require expertise in a specialized area or practice and may mandate certification or licensure to permit the practice of law in other states. The desirability of corporate counsel positions means that they are generally available only for candidates with significant experience, which makes it crucial for applicants to have the right experience and skill set before applying.
Employers are increasingly looking for experience in law firm management, understanding of financial models and financial accounting skills. Candidates with strong business skills in addition to their legal training will find the most lucrative offers in a competitive market.
Iowa Bar Exam / Licensure
As mentioned previously, there is a large disparity in the median income for attorneys in Iowa as compared to most other states. How are these fees earned? Obviously, the nature of the work and whether an attorney can bring in business for the firm makes a huge difference. The big question is, what do you need to do in order to become a licensed attorney in Iowa? Let’s break it down in an easy to read format.
1. Admission
The most common method of admission is through the Iowa Bar Exam. The Iowa Bar Exam is held twice a year. One exam in February and one in July. The February exam is held at the State Capitol Complex in Des Moines, while the July Exam is held in the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Applications for the Bar Exam are open twice per year. A completed application must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the exam. An exception to the 60-day rule may be granted upon a showing of exceptional circumstances.
In order to take the Bar Exam you must submit an application to sit for the exam. In Iowa there are four parts to the Bar Exam. First you will take the Multistate Exam. The Multistate Bar Exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions on all areas of law. That is broken down into categories of 10-15%, with the biggest portion being Torts, the MBE also consists of Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Evidence and Real Property. In addition, there is a 6 hour exam of Iowa specific law. Finally, the last portion of the exam is a two-part essay, lasting for three hours.
2. Application Process
The next step is provided by the Iowa Supreme Court, namely the Character and Fitness Process. This process costs $250. All applicants must undergo a character and fitness assessment prior to being ruled fit for the practice law. The character and fitness process has three steps. First, an applicant must answer 26 questions regarding character and fitness. Second, an applicant must submit either associate references or professional references. Finally, after the state has received the above documents and reviewed the documents, a background check is administered. In addition to the above considerations, the Iowa Supreme Court must approve your bar application prior to admittance.
3. After Admission
After an attorney has passed the Bar Exam and been approved by the Supreme Court, there are additional paperwork and other filing obligations that need to be completed. First, an attorney must continue to improve his or her legal skills and competency by taking legal education courses. Each year an attorney must submit proof of a minimum of 36 hours of CLE courses to be eligible to practice in Iowa.
Additionally, attorneys must pay a yearly license fee, along with a Client Security Fund fee and a Professional Practitioners Fee for attorneys and creditors of attorneys.
Salaries and Growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following median salaries:
Lawyers: $64,120
Paralegals: $44,630
Legal Secretaries: $39,280
Law clerks: $39,800
Legal Support Workers: $52,800
Legal Assistants/Staff lawyers: $70,660
Law School Professors: $91,890
Law School Clerk/Instructors: $47,310
Librarians and Media Technicians: $48,290
Librarian Assistants: $31,730
Librarian Aides: $24,560
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants: $33,680
Factors influencing legal salaries in Iowa
Experience and education have a bearing on salaries in the state. Lawyers with five or more years of experience earn the highest mean salaries, while those with less than one year of experience earn about $54,000. Legal professionals who hold one or more advanced degrees also earn more than those with no post-graduate degrees. Changes in the economy can also affect legal salaries and wages in Iowa. For example, as the economy improves, employers tend to invest more in their employees, resulting in salary increases and improved employee benefits . Geographic location is also a factor in salary. Major metropolitan areas tend to pay more, but also feature a higher cost of living.
Job growth
According to the U.S Department of Labor, jobs for attorneys, including judges and hearing officers, are expected to grow 10% through 2028. Salaries for attorneys tend to be the highest in the state. Demand for legal services however can be influenced by the state of the economy. As the number of state and local government employees declines, demand for local and regional lawyers decreases. Employment opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants are projected to increase by 12.4% through 2026. Growth in the jobs market for paralegals and legal assistants will be driven by the continuing growth of law firms and other organizations that will need to cut costs by hiring paralegals to assist lawyers. Legal support professionals will continue to be in demand as well. The BLS has projected a 14% increase in employment for legal secretaries through 2016, growth that is significantly faster than the average for all occupations.
Professional Networking and Associations
For those seeking IALDA opportunities, you will find yourself tapping into two of the state’s largest networks when you join both the Iowa State Bar Association and the Iowa Association for Justice. Iowa Law Jobs also hosts a number of informal networking events.
Each year the Iowa State Bar Association hosts its annual meeting, which brings all of Iowa’s lawyers together for seminars, networking, and clout. While you can join the ISBA’s Young Lawyer’s Division for free, the most important take away is the multitude of chances to meet other lawyers in a formal and informal setting.
If you are an attorney in Iowa who is committed to representing injured people, then membership in Iowa Association for Justice (IAJ) is not optional. The IAJ also holds an annual convention every summer.
In addition, Iowa has the American Association for Justice, which a great place to connect with out-of-state attorneys and learn about various practice areas.
Beyond the Law Firm: Alternative Careers in Iowa
Many people believe that the only legal career in Iowa, is practicing law. But according to an article written by Janet Fletcher in The Des Moines Register there are dozens of career paths available to law school graduates. Janet writes that "…Iowa is home to hundreds of licensed attorneys working outside law firms. They’re employed in the private sector — in health care systems, manufacturing, banking, real estate, educational institutions and publishing companies. They work for government agencies at all levels and for non-profit organizations." These opportunities are not always found in Iowa large metros such as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, but also in rural communities. Located in Ottumwa, Charles I. Dodds is the Senior Vice President/Chief Compliance Officer of First Iowa State Bank. Dodds explained "We have cult followers, people who come in here and do their banking in their overalls or bib overalls-James Cain, owner of Cain’s Supermarket…I never ask him about his business, you never ask him about his farm and it’s like a level of respect is there. He gets a lot more done than the guy with the blazer on, truthfully, but he’s got a hell of a network." Explains Janet. Dodds further explains that "I think having diversity is a very important part of having a community, and having a well-balanced community…Iowa has it." Dodds, litigator Litigators who do not want to work for a law firm can find jobs as managers, overseers, and codirectors of other lawyers and support staff. Corporations, the public sector, and non-profits all employ litigation attorneys. In addition, we hear of fewer law firm attorneys going in-house because it provides them more security, reasonable hours and health benefits. Janet also writes that "While fewer law school graduates are required to practice law in Iowa, the state is home to many law firms that generate significant revenue from federal and state litigation." Another opportunity for the Iowa law grad is as a lobbyist. According to Janet, "…lobbying provides another path for lawyers who have an interest in public policy and politics…Iowa is home to a number of lobbying firms." Susan Judkins is a senior partner at Lane & Waterman in Davenport, who practices corporate law; in her spare time, she serves on the board of the Quad-City Federation of Labor. The Federation is a labor union that advocates on behalf of local workers. The position of a lobbyist is a great profession for someone familiar with the intricacies of the law. As Janet points, "Other nontraditional legal careers include corporate counsel, legislative aide, general counsel for banks or credit unions, employment attorney for an employer, criminal law judges and juvenile court referees." Janet concludes her articles with the following, "Opportunities for law school graduates abound in Iowa. They just require a different way of thinking about the practicing of law." There is a wealth of opportunities available to you as an attorney in Iowa. You just have to keep an open mind to the possibilities.
Iowa Law Job Listings
The State Bar of Iowa provides a premier resource for attorneys looking for new employment opportunities. Classified Section has long been the state’s go-to place for all types of legal postings in private practice as well as public sector jobs. The service permits listings to run for 30 days and are updated at least five times per week. Additional listings not appearing in Classified Section can be found on the State Bar’s Employment Opportunities page. The web-based search tool allows you to filter by job type (position, fellowship, clerkship) and area of practice (litigation, family law, environmental). The State Bar also runs a Career Center designed to help you find the right position in your are of practice. Search jobs by type , location, and practice area and submit applications directly through the site.
The Iowa Legal Aid Law Jobs page features a regional job board dedicated to listing positions from local law firms, non-profit entities, and governmental agencies. There is no charge for firms to post job openings, however member employers may post their listings free of charge while all other opportunities are listed for a fee of $150 or less.
The Iowa Department of Administrative Services can help you find the right position in state government with their employee job openings page. Use the link to view current job openings or use the search to filter positions by your local area.