Disciplinary Counsel (OPR)

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) in Des Moines, IA seeks a Disciplinary Counsel to serve the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board. This full-time, exempt attorney advises and prosecutes disciplinary cases under the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, appearing before the Grievance Commission and the Iowa Supreme Court.

The role requires independent judgment, excellent writing, advocacy, and the ability to manage a heavy caseload.

Qualifications

• Graduated from ABA-accredited law school and admitted to practice law in Iowa.
• License must be in good standing with no public disciplinary history in Iowa or elsewhere.
• Ability to manage multiple cases with minimal supervision and priorities under changing demands.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and proficiency with standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate complaints and investigate allegations.
• Represent the Board in disciplinary proceedings before the Grievance Commission and Iowa Supreme Court.
• Negotiate stipulations and consent dispositions where appropriate.
• Advise Board members during screening and hearing meetings and draft reports.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Education

ABA-accredited law school

Tools

Clio

Job description

The Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) is hiring Disciplinary Counsel for the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board. This position will be located in the OPR office within the Iowa Judicial Branch building in Des Moines, IA.

The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board protects the public and preserves confidence in the legal profession by investigating allegations of attorney misconduct and prosecuting disciplinary cases on behalf of the Iowa Supreme Court. Disciplinary Counsel plays a central role in carrying out that mission through fair, independent, and professional enforcement of the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Attorney Disciplinary Board seeks a disciplinary prosecutor who exercises sound judgment, demonstrates unquestioned integrity, treats all participants with professionalism and respect, and is committed to protecting the public and maintaining confidence in the legal profession.

Disciplinary Counsel serves as litigation counsel for the Attorney Disciplinary Board and represents the Board in disciplinary proceedings before the Grievance Commission and the Iowa Supreme Court. The position requires independent legal judgment, careful investigation, strategic case evaluation, and sound exercise of prosecutorial discretion. This attorney also advises the Board on interpretation of the rules of professional conduct and proposed changes to the rules, and reviews and processes other disciplinary matters before the Board (including reciprocal discipline and reinstatements of law licenses after suspension or revocation).

The pay range for this position is $95,576.00 – $152,692.80, plus State of Iowa benefits. The starting salary for new employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Adjustment may be made if the successful candidate has relevant experience.

This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt, 40 hours per week position.

This position involves occasional overnight travel.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviewing and evaluating complaints.
• Conducting confidential investigations.
• Working closely with investigators, Board members, and other disciplinary counsel.
• Negotiating stipulations and consent dispositions where appropriate.
• Advising Board members during screening and hearing meetings.
• Drafting reports, recommendations, briefs, and appellate filings.
• Participating in rule development and policy discussions.
• Responding to inquiries from judges, lawyers, and members of the public.

• Other duties as assigned and required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional legal research, writing, and oral advocacy.
• Excellent judgment in evaluating evidence and exercising prosecutorial discretion.
• Ability to manage a demanding caseload with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Professionalism when interacting with respondent attorneys, complainants, judges, witnesses, opposing counsel, and members of the public.
• Ability to work collaboratively with investigators, fellow attorneys, administrative staff, and Board members.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate difficult decisions professionally and respectfully.
• Sound courtroom presence and appellate advocacy skills.
• Commitment to fairness, objectivity, and the rule of law.
• Substantial litigation experience, including courtroom advocacy, motion practice, legal writing, and appellate briefing, is strongly preferred.

The Office of Professional Regulation is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

The Office of Professional Regulation is an E-Verify employer.

This is a non-merit position with the Office of Professional Regulation.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resource Enterprise.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Judicial Branch.

• You must have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school and been admitted to practice law in the State of Iowa.
• Your law license must be in good standing, and you should have no public disciplinary history (public reprimand, suspension, or revocation) in Iowa or elsewhere.
• You must be able to simultaneously handle multiple areas of responsibility with minimum supervision, properly prioritizing tasks and duties as dictated by changing demands.
• Must be able to simultaneously advance all assigned cases in a large trial and appellate caseload.
• You must possess strong oral and written communication skills, and have high-level knowledge of standard office software, including word-processing and presentation software, PDF generation programs, and commercial case-management platforms (currently Clio).
• Five or more years of trial and appellate experience is preferred but not required.
• You must be bondable; must possess high levels of personal and professional honesty and integrity, emotional maturity and stability, and a genuine interest in improving the legal profession and the administration of justice.
• Lastly, you must have a valid Iowa driver's license and reliable transportation.