Public Finance Paralegal (Des Moines, IA) (#5029)

Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Des Moines seeks a Public Finance Paralegal to support lawyers and clients on financing transactions, with emphasis on accuracy, independence, and team collaboration.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree or paralegal program, 1+ year of related experience, excellent communication, analytical ability, and proficiency in MS Office and Power PDF; in-office presence is required 50% of the week, increasing to 80% by January 2027.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or completion of paralegal program.
• At least 1 year of related experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven analytical ability, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, and Power PDF.
• Ability to set priorities, exercise independent judgment, and initiate projects.
• Ability to assume responsibility for the start and completion of tasks.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work overtime if needed.
• Ability to work in office 50% of the work week, increasing to at least 80% of the work week starting January 4, 2027.

Responsibilities

• Perform paralegal functions of a variable nature which require significant knowledge, decision-making and independent judgment.
• Examine, evaluate and summarize large quantities of information with respect to financing transactions.
• Prepare bond documents, closing certificates, opinions, resolutions, notices, closing transcripts and basic correspondence.
• Proofread and assemble documents.
• Organize and manage files, including overseeing document scanning, profiling and retrieval.
• Coordinate closings.
• Maintain accurate transaction information, contacts and files, including organization of transaction documents.
• Prepare closing transcripts.
• Client contact focusing on preliminary or relatively routine data collection or communication of information.
• Locate and retrieve requested documentation.
• May be requested to perform other duties not listed above.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical ability

Organizational skills

MS Office (Excel)

Independent & team work

Overtime availability

Education

Bachelor's degree or paralegal program

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Power PDF

Job description

We are seeking a Public Finance Paralegal in our Des Moines office. As a valued team member, you are a critical part of Dorsey's client service team, working collaboratively with lawyers and clients on an array of substantive client matters. Are you a strong communicator and love to work independently and with a team? If you have experience in banking, finance, public administration, insurance, or accounting and want to play a meaningful role in our ability to deliver exceptional client service, then we would appreciate hearing from you.

In this role, you will:

• Perform paralegal functions of a variable nature which require a significant degree of knowledge, decision-making and independent judgment.
• Examine, evaluate and summarize large quantities of information with respect to a wide variety of financing transactions.
• Prepare bond documents, closing certificates, opinions, resolutions, notices, closing transcripts and basic correspondence.
• Proofread and assemble documents.
• Organize and manage files, including overseeing document scanning, profiling and retrieval.
• Coordinate closings.
• Maintain accurate transaction information, contacts and files, including organization of transaction documents.
• Prepare closing transcripts.
• Client contact focusing on preliminary or relatively routine data collection or communication of information.
• Locate and retrieve requested documentation.
• May be requested to perform other duties not listed above.

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor's degree or completion of paralegal program.
• At least 1 year of related experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven analytical ability, excellent attention to detail, and strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, and Power PDF.
• Ability to set priorities, exercise independent judgment, and initiate projects.
• Ability to assume responsibility for the start and completion of tasks.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work overtime if needed.
• Ability to work in office 50% of the work week, increasing to at least 80% of the work week (at least four days per work week) starting January 4, 2027.

Preferred:

• Prior experience in banking, finance, public administration, insurance, education, and/or accounting.
• Familiarity with UCC filing and searching requirements in multiple jurisdictions.
• Basic knowledge of general obligation and revenue bond financings.

About Dorsey:

Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology.

Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender.

• comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution
• basic and optional life insurance
• short and long-term disability
• paid time off
• up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for business professionals who give birth
• paid holidays
• paid volunteer day
• discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible)
• adoption assistance
• healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts
• back-up child and elder care program
• education and college advising program
• virtual tutoring
• wellbeing programs and activities
• mass transit program (certain offices)
• travel assistance program
• 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost
• (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.)

One of our greatest strengths is a friendly, cooperative culture that values and appreciates each individual. Dorsey has received external recognition for our welcoming workplace, including:

• Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
• Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex-Time Lawyers)
• 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
• Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum)
• Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Reasonable Accommodations:

Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at 612-492-5178.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally-protected status.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify.

Dorsey estimates it will accept applications through October 2, 2026.

Office Location:

Des Moines, IA