Iowa Legal Aid is recruiting a Staff Attorney to expand our critical work for veterans and rural Iowans. The Legal Service Corporation’s Justice Gap Report shows that both groups have significant unmet legal needs.

Background: Founded in 1977, Iowa Legal Aid serves clients in all 99 Iowa counties through offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo. Learn more about Iowa Legal Aid at www.iowalegalaid.org and www.iowalegalaidfoundation.org.

Staff Attorney Position:  Through free legal assistance and community legal education, Staff Attorneys bring hope, dignity, and justice to low-income and other vulnerable Iowans. Legal assistance at Iowa Legal Aid ranges from advice and brief service to full representation before administrative agencies and state and federal trial and appellate courts.  In our diverse practice, we prioritize work involving housing, domestic violence, income maintenance, health care, individual rights, and consumer issues to help secure our clients’ most essential needs. Staff attorneys appear in court frequently and serve clients out in the community through clinics, our Eviction Diversion Project Help Desks, and targeted outreach events. Staff attorneys also play a crucial role in changing systems and achieving justice through impact advocacy.

For the Veterans & Rural Advocacy Staff Attorney, preference will be given to candidates available to work in Council Bluffs, Davenport, Iowa City, Mason City, and Sioux City, although applicants for all locations will be considered.  As the name suggests, the Veterans & Rural Advocacy Staff Attorney will focus on legal services and outreach to our veteran and rural clients.

Opening/Closing Date:  Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Salary/Benefits:  Entry level salary is $56,500.  Non-entry level salaries depend on experience.  Excellent fringe benefits are available, including a generous leave, insurance, and retirement package.  Iowa is a great place to live and to work for a non-profit, ranking fourth in the country for affordability. See US News & World Report Study Ranks Iowa Number 1 for Opportunity Nationally, Des Moines Register, March 11, 2021.

Applications: To apply, submit a letter of application (indicate geographic preferences), resume, law school transcript (recent graduates only), recent representative writing sample, and the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of at least three professional references. 

Qualifications: Applicants must be law school graduates licensed to practice law in Iowa, eligible for admission on motion, or available for the next scheduled bar examination.  Prior legal experience is preferred, along with  knowledge of veterans and/or rural issues.  Applicants must possess a demonstrated interest in poverty law and have a strong commitment to providing a full range of legal services to low-income people.  Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collegial environment are required.  Individuals with Spanish or other language skills are encouraged to apply. 

About Iowa Legal Aid

Founded in 1977, Iowa Legal Aid serves eligible clients in all 99 Iowa counties through our ten regional offices. For over forty years, we have provided hope, dignity and justice to low-income people, seniors, veterans, farmworkers, and other vulnerable groups through direct legal services and community education. Our primary practice areas include public benefits, housing, health care, domestic violence & family, education, employment, individual rights, consumer protection, and collateral consequences. More information about Iowa Legal Aid can be found at www.iowalegalaid.org and www.iowalegalaidfoundation.org.

Connections working at Iowa Legal Aid