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Entry Level Attorney Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Receive training and mentoring from experienced and well-respected attorneys with valuable appellate experience. Perform entry-level professional legal work representing indigent clients on appeal in ...

Entry Level Attorney information

See Iowa salary details

$43.2K

$101.6K

$162K

How much do entry level attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level 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 are entry level attorneys?

Entry level attorneys are recent law school graduates or individuals who have recently passed the bar exam and are beginning their legal careers. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced attorneys and assist with research, drafting legal documents, and helping prepare cases. Entry level attorneys can work in various settings, including law firms, government agencies, or corporate legal departments. Their responsibilities often focus on learning practical legal skills and gaining experience in their chosen field of law.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission in your practicing state, and a solid grasp of legal research, writing, and analysis. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in document management systems are typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and time management skills help you build client relationships and manage caseloads effectively. These competencies are crucial for providing sound legal advice, meeting deadlines, and establishing a successful legal career.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level attorneys in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level attorneys often encounter challenges such as managing heavy workloads, adapting to the fast-paced environment of law firms, and bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical legal skills. Navigating client expectations, learning firm protocols, and handling multiple assignments simultaneously can feel overwhelming at first. To overcome these challenges, new attorneys should proactively seek feedback, build strong relationships with mentors and colleagues, and prioritize effective time management. Open communication and a willingness to continuously learn are key to successful integration and professional growth in the early stages of a legal career.

What is the difference between Entry Level Attorney vs Paralegal?

AspectEntry Level AttorneyParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar AdmissionAssociate's degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies
Job ResponsibilitiesLegal research, drafting legal documents, client consultationsLegal research, document preparation, case organization

Entry Level Attorneys and Paralegals often work in similar environments and share some responsibilities, but attorneys require a JD and bar admission to practice law, while paralegals support attorneys without needing a law license. The roles differ mainly in legal authority and scope of work.

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 Entry Level Attorney jobs in Iowa? For Entry Level Attorney jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Attorney jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Attorney jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Entry Level Attorney jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Entry Level Attorney job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Attorney job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Locum Tenens, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 9% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,591 per year, or $48.8 per hour.
Appellate Public Defender 1

Appellate Public Defender 1

State of Iowa

Des Moines, IA

$63K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


State Of Iowa rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 83 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 50 rated states


Job description

Job Description Are you ready to make a meaningful impact through public service. The Iowa State Public Defender's Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic attorney to serve as an Public Defender 1 in our Appellate Defender office located in Des Moines, Iowa. Who We Are The mission of the Office of the State Public Defender is to ensure that all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

What You'll Do As a Public Defender attorney in this position, you will: Receive training and mentoring from experienced and well-respected attorneys with valuable appellate experience. Perform entry-level professional legal work representing indigent clients on appeal in cases where the State Appellate Defender's Office has been appointed as counsel. Conduct thorough review of the client trial court records and perform extensive legal research to prepare the appeal in assigned cases to determine the merits of the cases and appropriate courses of action.

Draft appellate briefs, motions[1] for further review, and other motions or documents in support of an appeal. Present oral arguments in assigned cases before the Iowa Court of Appeals, the Iowa Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court. Advise and communicate with clients at all stages of the appeal and respond to clients in a timely manner.

Other duties as assigned to further support public defender offices may also be required. This is a non-merit position for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing - Public Defender. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

What We Offer When you join the SPD, you become a part of a strong team culture that is committed to serving the community. In addition to providing a respect for work-life balance, we have a competitive total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including: Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance. Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.

On the job training by dedicated, experienced professionals. Opportunities for professional development. Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.

Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package. Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan). Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.

Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more) Access to an on-site employee fitness center. For additional information on benefits click here. E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Embark on a rewarding career dedicated to public service and make a difference with us. Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and possess a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa prior to commencing employment in positions in this job classification. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.


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State of Iowa logo

About State of Iowa

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Iowa is not a company but the governmental structure of the U.S. state of Iowa, stationed in the capital city, Des Moines. The official website, iowa.gov, is a platform dedicated to providing information and services related to the state's governance. As a governmental establishment, the State of Iowa's 'industry' primarily involves social governance, policy-making, and public administration, overseeing sectors like education, health, transportation, agriculture, and other public services.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1939