Staff Attorney

Iowa Legal Aid; Des Moines, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Leave and retirement benefits

Opportunity to impact community

Job summary

Iowa Legal Aid seeks Staff Attorneys for our Des Moines and satellite offices across Iowa. The position emphasizes poverty law, housing, domestic violence, income maintenance, health care, and consumer issues.

You will provide legal services from advice to full representation in court and contribute to outreach programs in the community. Applicants must be Iowa-licensed or eligible for admission on motion, with strong communication skills and a commitment to serving low-income clients.

Qualifications

• Law school graduate licensed to practice in Iowa or eligible for admission on motion.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Spanish or other language skills encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in court and before tribunals.
• Provide advice and full representation ranging from brief services to trials.
• Participate in community outreach, clinics, and impact advocacy efforts.

Skills

Communication skills

Writing and research

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. or equivalent law degree

Job description

Iowa Legal Aid is actively recruiting Staff Attorneys for our Des Moines, Iowa City, Mason City, and Sioux City offices. Applicants interested in other offices may apply.

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 atwww.iowalegalaid.org andwww.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 expungement and pro se divorce 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.

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. 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.

Salary/Benefits: Current entry level salary is $61,800. 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, consistently ranking in the top 10 states for affordability. See https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability .

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

Application Materials: Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references, a writing sample, and for lawyers in practice for under five years, a law school transcript.

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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