1

Research Attorney Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Patent Attorney

Des Moines, IA ยท Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... product range and the R&D organisation. ๐Ÿ” About the Role As Patent Attorney your main ... responsibility will be to manage a part of the patent portfolio of JBT Marel. Together with ...

Attorney - Personal Injury

Davenport, IA ยท On-site

$80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Attorney - Personal Injury* to join our team in *Davenport or West Des Moines, Iowa*. This is an ... Conduct thorough legal research using tools such as Westlaw and stay current on statutory laws and ...

New

Assistant Attorney

Davenport, IA ยท On-site

$88K - $102K/yr

County Attorney Opening Date: 08/07/2026 Job Summary Will be assigned to felony division. Under ... Legal research methods, sources, databases, and other tools. Negotiation and conflict management ...

Under general supervision, the Assistant Attorney represents and advises Scott County on legal ... Legal research methods, sources, databases, and other tools. Negotiation and conflict management ...

Sr. Trial Attorney - Remote

Nevada, IA ยท On-site

  • Retirement

Job Title Sr. Trial Attorney - Remote Requisition Number R7824 Sr. Trial Attorney - Remote (Open ... Proficient computer skills, including MS office and online research tools * Ability to manage case ...

Showing results 21-40

Research Attorney information

See Iowa salary details

$10K

$71.2K

$105.1K

How much do research attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for research attorney in Iowa is $71,187.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,779.00 and $81,892.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research attorney?

Research attorneys are legal professionals who specialize in conducting legal research and analysis to support attorneys, judges, or law firms. They review case law, statutes, legal precedents, and other relevant materials to prepare legal memoranda, briefs, and recommendations. Their work is essential in helping legal teams understand complex legal issues and make informed decisions. Research attorneys may work in courts, government agencies, private law firms, or corporate legal departments.

What are the main challenges research attorneys face when supporting litigation teams?

Research Attorneys often navigate tight deadlines and large volumes of complex legal information when supporting litigation teams. They must quickly identify and synthesize relevant case law, statutes, and legal precedents, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness under pressure. Collaboration with litigators and paralegals is key, as Research Attorneys provide foundational analysis that shapes legal strategies and filings. Staying updated on evolving legal trends and jurisdictional nuances is also essential to delivering effective research support.

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

To thrive as a Research Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor degree, strong legal research and writing skills, and a thorough understanding of relevant laws and precedents. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and citation management tools is typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities are crucial for producing accurate, well-supported legal analyses that inform case strategies and judicial decisions.

What is the difference between Research Attorney vs Paralegal?

AspectResearch AttorneyParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), license to practice lawAssociate degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, legal departments, courts
Employer & Industry UsageLegal industry, often working under attorneysSupport role assisting attorneys
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for legal research and analysis tasksCompared for support and research tasks

The main difference between a Research Attorney and a Paralegal lies in their credentials and responsibilities. Research Attorneys are licensed lawyers with a JD, capable of providing legal opinions and conducting complex legal research. Paralegals typically hold a certificate or associate degree and assist attorneys with research, document preparation, and administrative tasks. While both roles support legal work, Research Attorneys have a broader scope of legal authority and expertise.

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Research Attorney job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,187 per year, or $34.2 per hour.

$77K - $197K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 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
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
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
Help
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.
Expand Hide additional information
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
Help
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.
Review our benefits
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.