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Entertainment Attorney Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Entertainment Attorney information

See Iowa salary details

$51.7K

$113.7K

$261.1K

How much do entertainment attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for entertainment attorney in Iowa is $113,739.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,300.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entertainment attorney?

Entertainment attorneys are legal professionals who specialize in the entertainment industry, including film, television, music, theater, publishing, and digital media. They help clients negotiate contracts, protect intellectual property rights, resolve disputes, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Their clients can include artists, producers, studios, record labels, authors, and other entertainment professionals. By providing legal advice and representation, entertainment attorneys help protect their clients' interests and navigate the complexities of the entertainment business.

What does an entertainment attorney do?

The job duties of an entertainment attorney include performing legal tasks related to talent representation, contract negotiations, copyright issues, and other legal proceedings for clients that work in the entertainment industry. As a lawyer in this area of specialization, your legal responsibilities can include working for companies or talent in the music, TV, or film industries. Some attorneys pick one of these to specialize in, but you can also find work as a general entertainment attorney. You may stay on retainer for a single client and help them with multiple legal issues. For example, you can negotiate contracts and licensing agreements, handle copyright disputes, and offer advice about income and tax issues.

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

To thrive as an Entertainment Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a valid law license, and strong expertise in contract law, intellectual property, and negotiations. Familiarity with legal research databases, contract management software, and industry-specific regulations such as copyright and trademark law is essential. Exceptional communication, networking, and problem-solving skills help build client trust and facilitate complex deal-making. These capabilities are vital for protecting clients' rights, navigating evolving entertainment regulations, and securing favorable agreements in a dynamic industry.

What are some common challenges entertainment attorneys face when negotiating contracts for clients?

Entertainment Attorneys often encounter challenges such as protecting clients’ intellectual property rights, ensuring fair compensation structures, and navigating complex royalty or residual arrangements. They must also stay current with rapidly changing industry standards, such as new distribution models for digital content. Balancing the interests of multiple parties—such as agents, studios, and production companies—while maintaining the client’s best interests can be demanding, but it is a key part of the role.

What is the difference between Entertainment Attorney vs Contract Lawyer?

AspectEntertainment AttorneyContract Lawyer
CredentialsLaw degree, state bar admission, specialized knowledge in entertainment lawLaw degree, state bar admission, expertise in contract law
Work EnvironmentEntertainment industry settings, law firms, studiosVarious industries, corporate legal departments, law firms
Employer & Industry UsageEntertainment companies, production studios, agenciesCorporations, law firms, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entertainment Attorneys and Contract Lawyers both hold law degrees and are licensed attorneys, but they specialize in different areas. Entertainment Attorneys focus on legal issues in the entertainment industry, such as rights, licensing, and negotiations, while Contract Lawyers handle a broad range of contractual matters across various industries. The choice depends on your specific legal needs in entertainment versus general contract work.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Entertainment Attorney jobs in Iowa?

For Entertainment Attorney jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entertainment Attorney jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Entertainment Attorney jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Entertainment Attorney jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Entertainment Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Entertainment Attorney job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $113,739 per year, or $54.7 per hour.

$77K - $197K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Summary
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa employs approximately 30 Assistant United States Attorneys. The District's headquarters office is located in Des Moines. The District has staffed branch offices in Davenport and Council Bluffs, which serve the District's eastern and western divisions.
More information about the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia
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Duties
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The closing date for this vacancy announcement has been extended.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in our Criminal Division. This position is located in Davenport, Iowa, one of the largest cities in the state and part of the vibrant Quad Cities region along the Mississippi River. We seek a highly motivated individual who is committed to public service and enjoys handling a broad range of complex criminal prosecutions on behalf of the United States.
Assistant United States Attorneys in the Southern District of Iowa handle a wide variety of complex cases, including offenses involving drug trafficking, firearms and other violent crime, child exploitation, immigration, and fraud. Assistant United States Attorneys handle these criminal cases at all phases of prosecution, including grand jury investigations, pre-trial proceedings, trials and sentencing hearings, and appeals.
Davenport offers an outstanding quality of life with an affordable cost of living, a strong legal community, and access to the cultural, recreational, and economic opportunities of the Quad Cities region. The area features a vibrant downtown, diverse dining and entertainment options, excellent schools, scenic riverfront attractions, and numerous parks and trails. Residents enjoy a family-friendly environment, short commute times, and convenient access to major transportation routes, making Davenport an exceptional place to live, work, and build a career.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
Residency Requirements: Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a United States Citizen or National.
  • Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
  • You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
  • J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
  • Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Qualifications
Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least two-year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. At least three years of post-J.D. litigation experience is preferred, with extensive research and writing experience.
Preferred qualifications: Possess superior oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment, and a demonstrated record of integrity. Interested AUSAs or government attorneys must have at least a successful evaluation for the past year. All applicants must be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) and not have received any disciplinary action within the past three years from the date of the application. In addition, applicants must exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies, and the ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and evaluate other highly qualified attorneys.
Education
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
Additional information
Salary Information: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $77,974 to $197,100 includes locality pay.
Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
* * *
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Travel: Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.