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Associate Attorney Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Associate Attorney

West Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$70K - $98K/yr

C. - ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY JOB SUMMARY The Associate Attorney is a results-driven individual with experience in or the desire to become experienced in the consumer collection industry. The Associate ...

Associate Attorney

Waterloo, IA ยท Hybrid

$80K/yr

Seeking an ambitious associate attorney with 2-5+ years' experience in civil litigation or workers compensation who has a strong connection to the Waterloo / Cedar Falls (Cedar Valley) area and sees ...

Associate Attorney

Waterloo, IA ยท On-site

$80K/yr

Seeking an ambitious associate attorney with 2-5+ years' experience in civil litigation or workers compensation who has a strong connection to the Waterloo / Cedar Falls (Cedar Valley) area and sees ...

Mergers & Acquisitions Attorney

Des Moines, IA ยท On-site +1

$180K - $315K/yr

Corporate Associate Attorney - Mergers & Acquisitions Direct Counsel is seeking a Corporate Associate Attorney to join a premier law firm's Corporate Practice Group. This role can be based in any of ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Davenport, IA ยท On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Senior Associate positions are available for attorneys with five years or more of litigation experience Company Description Stange Law Firm, PC is a multi-state family law firm. LawFirm500 ranks ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Iowa City, IA ยท On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Senior Associate positions are available for attorneys with five years or more of litigation experience Company Description Stange Law Firm, PC is a multi-state family law firm. LawFirm500 ranks ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Davenport, IA ยท On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Senior Associate positions are available for attorneys with five years or more of litigation experience Company Description Stange Law Firm, PC is a multi-state family law firm. LawFirm500 ranks ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Ames, IA ยท On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Senior Associate positions are available for attorneys with five years or more of litigation experience Company Description Stange Law Firm, PC is a multi-state family law firm. LawFirm500 ranks ...

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Associate Attorney information

See Iowa salary details

$43.2K

$101.6K

$162K

How much do associate attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate attorney in Iowa is $101,591.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,100.00 and $122,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Attorney vs Paralegal?

AspectAssociate AttorneyParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), licensed to practice lawAssociate's degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, legal departments, courts
Job ResponsibilitiesLegal research, client counseling, drafting legal documents, court appearancesLegal research, document preparation, case organization, client communication

Associate Attorneys are licensed legal professionals who handle complex legal tasks and represent clients in court, while Paralegals support attorneys with research and document preparation without practicing law. Both roles are essential in legal settings, but Associate Attorneys have more advanced responsibilities and licensing requirements.

What Does an Associate Attorney Do?

Associate attorneys are early career lawyers who work for law firms to gain experience and hone their skills after completing law school and passing the bar exam for their state. Under the guidance of an experienced attorney or a partner in the firm, associate attorneys assist with cases by conducting legal research and writing reports, legal briefs, and other documents. Associate attorneys also negotiate with colleagues from other law firms, participate in jury selection, and help argue cases in court.

What is an Associate Attorney?

An Associate Attorney is a licensed lawyer who works at a law firm and typically has less experience than partners or senior attorneys. Their responsibilities often include conducting legal research, drafting documents, meeting with clients, and assisting with case preparation. Associate Attorneys usually work under the supervision of more senior lawyers and are on a partnership track, meaning they may eventually be considered for partnership in the firm. Their role is crucial for supporting the firm's legal work and gaining experience in various areas of law.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a state bar license, and strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, document management systems, and e-discovery tools is typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are vital soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications ensure effective case preparation, compliance with legal standards, and successful collaboration with clients and colleagues.

What are some common challenges faced by associate attorneys in their first few years, and how can they overcome them?

Associate attorneys often encounter challenges such as managing a heavy workload, adapting to the fast-paced environment of a law firm, and learning to balance billable hour requirements with professional development. Building strong organizational and time-management skills is crucial to handle multiple cases and deadlines effectively. Additionally, seeking mentorship, actively communicating with senior attorneys, and asking for feedback can help associates navigate complex matters and grow professionally within the firm.
What are the most commonly searched types of Attorney jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Attorney jobs in Iowa? For Associate Attorney jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Associate Attorney jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Associate Attorney job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Attorney job openings in Iowa as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,591 per year, or $48.8 per hour.

Associate Attorney

Gurstel Law Firm P C

West Des Moines, IA โ€ข On-site

$70K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Are you an Attorney ready to take ownership of litigation cases and develop your skills in a fast-paced, integrity-driven environment?

Or

Are you a new Attorney looking to learn the legal process and grow your knowledge and skills in the Legal Field?

We offer:

NO BILLABLE HOURS

NO EVENINGS/NO WEEKENDS

FLEXIBLE TIME OFF


GURSTEL LAW FIRM, P.C. โ€“ ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Attorney is a results-driven individual with experience in or the desire to become experienced in the consumer collection industry. The Associate Attorney is charged with providing thorough and practical assessments and advice while advocating for clients in and out of court during the legal collection process. The Associate Attorney will focus on continuous quality work product and performance in the Firmโ€™s energized and fast-paced environment while doing right, achieving results, and maintaining integrity.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Communicate with opposing counsel and pro se parties to resolve disputes and negotiate matters to an amicable resolution.
  • Draft and review legal briefs, correspondence, pleadings, and other legal documents.
  • Document account/file activity in accordance with the Firm and client policies and procedures.
  • Travel to various courts in the State and effectively handle all aspects of a caseโ€™s litigation life cycle.
  • Research and interpret laws, rulings, and regulations and formulate legal opinions for review by Lead State Attorney.
  • Communicate with clients in a responsive manner to maintain and further develop client relationships.
  • Attend continuing education classes, webinars, and seminars to remain current and well-informed of any local, state or federal changes in the law, rules of court or court procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

  • Qualified attorney with no discipline history and active license in the state OF IOWA
  • Knowledge on the state civil litigation process and state and federal consumer protection laws preferred.
  • Ability to collaborate with other employees to utilize resources and knowledge of others in identifying high quality solutions.
  • Superior time management skills and ability to effectively manage priorities to meet business requirements and deadlines in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
  • Possesses leadership skills and the ability to drive and motivate other employees to achieve results.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills across a broad spectrum of attorney and non-attorney recipients including all levels within the organization and external.

COMPETENCIES

  • Accountability
  • Dependability
  • Communication
  • Compliance and Discipline
  • Ethics & Integrity

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, HSA, FSA, Life, 401k, and Profit Sharing.
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Bonus and Commission potential
  • Paid CLEโ€™s & Licensure and Dues
  • Professional yet casual work environment

The annual base salary range provided for this position is a nationwide market range and represents a broad range of salaries for this role across the country. The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. As part of our comprehensive compensation and benefits program, employees are also eligible for performance-based bonus and commission.

Base Salary Range + Quarterly Bonus Potential

($70,000-98,000) + Quarterly Bonus Potential

We are looking for individuals who share our Core Values: Do Right, Achieve Results, and Maintain Integrity.

GET TO KNOW US

Gurstel Law Firm, P.C. (hereinafter โ€œthe Firmโ€) is multi-state litigation law firm representing creditors in all aspects of legal collection process. The Firm is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota with offices in Arizona, California, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, and Wisconsin. Its practice is focused on the development of attorneysโ€™ litigation skills, strategies and industry knowledge.

CULTURE At Gurstel, we operate on our Core Values of Doing Right, Achieving Results, and Maintaining our Integrity. We champion diversity and are a very fast-paced, enthusiastic group of people! Success is celebrated and we are looking for people who share those same values with the drive to exceed expectations and think outside the box! Our culture is what makes our Firm a fun and rewarding place to work.

EOE- Gurstel Law Firm, P.C. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/W/D/V) dedicated to diversity in the workplace and offers a great work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.