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First Year Attorney Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Hills Bank

Mortgage Title Specialist

Coralville, IA · On-site

Coordinate with abstract companies and attorneys to ensure timely receipt of pre-closing title work ... Confirm proper collateral filing and first lien position for mortgage transactions. * Collaborate ...

Hills Bank

Mortgage Title Specialist

Coralville, IA · On-site

Coordinate with abstract companies and attorneys to ensure timely receipt of pre-closing title work ... Confirm proper collateral filing and first lien position for mortgage transactions. * Collaborate ...

Hills Bank

Mortgage Title Specialist

Coralville, IA · On-site

Coordinate with abstract companies and attorneys to ensure timely receipt of pre-closing title work ... Confirm proper collateral filing and first lien position for mortgage transactions. * Collaborate ...

D.R. Horton, Inc

Land Coordinator-Ankeny

Ankeny, IA · On-site

Act as first point of contact for Homeowner's Associations and often as a director of HOA Boards ... Coordinate with attorneys for the preparation of HOA documents, as well as HOA and jurisdictional ...

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All JobsFirst Year Attorney JobsFirst Year Attorney Jobs in Iowa

First Year Attorney information

See Iowa salary details

$38K

$92.4K

$180.3K

How much do first year attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for first year attorney in Iowa is $92,358.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,500.00 and $112,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by first year attorneys, and how can they be addressed?

First year attorneys often face challenges related to managing a steep learning curve, balancing heavy workloads, and adapting to the fast-paced environment of a law firm or legal department. It's common to feel overwhelmed by billable hour requirements and the expectation to deliver high-quality work while learning firm procedures. Building strong relationships with mentors and colleagues, seeking regular feedback, and taking proactive steps to improve time management skills can help ease the transition. Many firms also offer training programs and support networks to assist new attorneys in developing their legal and professional skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a first year attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Year Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a state bar license, and a strong foundation in legal research, writing, and analytical reasoning. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, document management systems, and e-discovery tools is typically required. Excellent communication, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage deadlines are standout soft skills in this position. These competencies are crucial for producing accurate work, meeting client and firm expectations, and building a successful legal career from the outset.

What is a first year attorney?

A first year attorney is a lawyer who has recently graduated from law school and has just begun practicing law, typically in their first year at a law firm or legal organization. These attorneys are often referred to as 'associates' and usually focus on learning the foundational aspects of legal practice, performing research, drafting documents, and assisting more senior lawyers. The first year is considered a training period where new attorneys gain practical experience, develop professional skills, and begin to build their legal careers.

What is the difference between First Year Attorney vs Law Clerk?

AspectFirst Year AttorneyLaw Clerk
Required CredentialsJ.D. degree, bar admissionJ.D. degree, often bar admission not required
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesCourts, law firms, government offices
Employer & Industry UsageLegal industry, post-law schoolJudicial and legal institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

First Year Attorneys and Law Clerks often share similar educational backgrounds, but First Year Attorneys are typically recent law school graduates working as entry-level lawyers, while Law Clerks usually assist judges or attorneys with research and drafting. Both roles require a J.D. degree, but First Year Attorneys are more involved in client representation and legal practice, whereas Law Clerks focus on research and case preparation. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right position based on their career goals and experience.

What are popular job titles related to First Year Attorney jobs in Iowa? For First Year Attorney jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching First Year Attorney jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for First Year Attorney jobs in Iowa are:
First Year Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Year Attorney job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 9% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,358 per year, or $44.4 per hour.

General Attorney (Tax) - Special Counsel (Criminal Tax)

Criminal Investigation & Law Enforcement | IRS Careers

Independence, IA • On-site

$147K/yr

Other

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

With nearly 1,700 attorneys, IRS Chief Counsel is the largest tax law firm nationwide. Our attorneys are among top tax law practitioners and some of the very best legal minds found anywhere. Together with the IRS, we serve the public by applying the tax code with fairness and integrity. After pausing hiring in 2025, we now seek new law graduates and experienced attorneys to join us.
Click to learn more:
IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site
Meet Our People
Learn about our Legal DivisionsQualifications:

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements detailed below by the closing date of this announcement. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.
To qualify for this position of General Attorney (Tax) - Special Counsel (Criminal Tax) you must meet the qualification requirements listed below by the closing of this announcement:
Basic Requirements for General Attorney -Special Counsel (Criminal Tax):

  • Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND
  • Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;


GS-15 Experience Requirements:

  • 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus
  • 3 year of professional legal tax experience

Professional Legal Tax Experience is defined as:

  • Experience in prosecuting, defending, investigating, advising, and/or reviewing criminal matters; and/or
  • Experience with criminal and/or civil privilege review/taint reviews.

At least one year of this experience must be equivalent to the work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-14). Note: Only experience gained after Bar Admission may be credited as Professional Legal Experience.

Education Substitution: An LL.M. degree in the field of the position (Taxation, Tax Litigation, Corporate Tax, or International Tax Law) may be substituted for the one year of the general legal experience listed above.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

Education:For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)Employment Type: OTHER

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