1

Associate Trial Attorney Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Associate Attorney

Waterloo, IA · On-site +1

$80K/yr

Seeking an ambitious associate attorney with 2-5+ years' experience in civil litigation or workers ... The candidate will have the flexibility of developing an active trial practice or focusing on ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Opportunities for advancement to Senior Associate and other leadership positions * A firm culture ... Courtroom and trial advocacy * Preparation for hearings, depositions, and trials * Legal research ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Des Moines, IA · On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Opportunities for advancement to Senior Associate and other leadership positions * A firm culture ... Courtroom and trial advocacy * Preparation for hearings, depositions, and trials * Legal research ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Davenport, IA · On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Opportunities for advancement to Senior Associate and other leadership positions * A firm culture ... Courtroom and trial advocacy * Preparation for hearings, depositions, and trials * Legal research ...

Assistant County Attorney

Sioux City, IA

$68K - $94K/yr

... for trial. Attend depositions. Appears in District Associate and Magistrate Courts for all ... Attorney Attendance is required Required Qualifications Must be licensed by the Iowa Supreme Court ...

Assistant County Attorney I

Adel, IA · On-site

$81K - $89K/yr

This includes but is not limited to, criminal complaints, trial information, minutes of testimony ... Associate Court or District Court. If assigned to the civil docket, attends County board and ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Sioux City, IA · On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Prepare clients and witnesses for hearings and trial * Attend court appearances, mediations ... Senior Associate opportunities available for attorneys with five or more years of litigation ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Iowa City, IA · On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Prepare clients and witnesses for hearings and trial * Attend court appearances, mediations ... Senior Associate opportunities available for attorneys with five or more years of litigation ...

Attorney/Lawyer

Ames, IA · On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

Prepare clients and witnesses for hearings and trial * Attend court appearances, mediations ... Senior Associate opportunities available for attorneys with five or more years of litigation ...

Attorney/Lawyer (Iowa City)

Iowa City, IA · On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

... and trial Attend court appearances, mediations, hearings, and trials Negotiate settlements and ... Senior Associate opportunities available for attorneys with five or more years of litigation ...

Attorney/Lawyer (Sioux City)

Sioux City, IA · On-site +1

$90K - $120K/yr

... and trial Attend court appearances, mediations, hearings, and trials Negotiate settlements and ... Senior Associate opportunities available for attorneys with five or more years of litigation ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Associate Trial Attorney information

See Iowa salary details

$47K

$113.5K

$180.8K

How much do associate trial attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate trial attorney in Iowa is $113,478.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,300.00 and $130,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an associate trial attorney do?

An Associate Trial Attorney is a junior-level lawyer who assists in preparing and presenting cases in court. Their responsibilities include conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, interviewing witnesses, and helping to develop case strategies under the supervision of more experienced attorneys. They may also represent clients in preliminary hearings, mediations, and other legal proceedings. The role is often considered a stepping stone to becoming a lead trial attorney, providing valuable courtroom and litigation experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate trial attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Trial Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and strong knowledge of litigation procedures and legal research. Proficiency in legal research platforms (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), case management software, and e-discovery tools is typically required. Exceptional analytical thinking, persuasive communication, attention to detail, and resilience under pressure are essential soft skills. These competencies are crucial for building effective legal arguments, managing complex cases, and achieving successful outcomes for clients.

What are some common challenges associate trial attorneys face when managing multiple cases?

Associate Trial Attorneys often juggle several cases at once, which requires strong organizational and time-management skills. Balancing competing deadlines, court appearances, and client communications can be demanding, especially when preparing for trial or unexpected developments arise. Effective prioritization and clear communication with supervising attorneys and support staff are crucial to ensure each case receives the necessary attention. Additionally, staying up to date with legal research and changes in the law is essential to provide the best representation possible.

What is the difference between Associate Trial Attorney vs Associate Litigation Attorney?

AspectAssociate Trial AttorneyAssociate Litigation Attorney
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar AdmissionJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar Admission
Work EnvironmentCourts, trial preparation, courtroom proceedingsLegal research, document review, pre-trial activities
Employer & Industry UsageLaw firms, government agencies, corporate legal departmentsLaw firms, corporate legal teams, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Associate Trial Attorneys focus on courtroom litigation, trial preparation, and representing clients in court. In contrast, Associate Litigation Attorneys handle legal research, document review, and pre-trial activities. Both roles require a JD and bar admission, often working within law firms or corporate legal departments. The main difference lies in the trial involvement, with Associate Trial Attorneys actively participating in court proceedings, while Associate Litigation Attorneys support the case preparation process.

What are the most commonly searched types of Trial Attorney jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Trial Attorney jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Associate Trial Attorney job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,478 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

Associate Attorney

JBA International

Waterloo, IA • On-site, Remote

$80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Iowa based law firm with offices in Iowa City, serving clients statewide. We pride ourselves in an open-door culture of mentorship and support from fellow attorneys and staff. We are a full-service civil law firm focusing on plaintiff medical negligence, personal injury, and workers compensation and also providing family law services, estate planning, and business litigation representation.
The firm provides significant support staff assistance and a robust advertising budget to help grow your practice. Want to "just practice law" and leave the administrative work to others? We are a perfect match.
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 themselves as a long-term member of the community.
The candidate should be looking to plug into an expanding personal injury and workers compensation practice. The candidate will have the flexibility of developing an active trial practice or focusing on workers compensation and other non-jury trial litigation.
Candidate should expect to perform most of their workday in-office as there will be significant client contact, but we do have a robust technology platform to allow remote work as needed.
Candidate should be admitted to practice in Iowa and willing to be admitted to Northern and Southern federal districts. Competitive compensation based on experience and opportunity for significant bonuses based on fee and case generation. Equity and non-equity partnership opportunities based on your preference and performance. Firm pays cost of work-related travel, association membership, CLE, etc. Firm pays cost of work-related travel, association membership, CLE, etc. Firm provides health insurance (minimal cost to attorney) and optional vision, dental, and disability insurance and SIMPLE IRA contribution of 2% annual compensation.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $80,000.00+ per year plus bonuses based on firm performance and attorney contribution / commitment to firm success.
COVID-19 considerations:
We are very sensitive to each persons' level of precaution for COVID. We have UV light scrubbers for airflow in the office and respect people's desire to wear a mask in the office.
Wendy Miranda| Recruiter & Business Development Support Consultant
a: 1192 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91104 USA
e: wendy@jba.com|w: www.jba.com
d: (626) 204-6905