The Legal Recruiter Directory provides contact information for top legal recruiting firms throughout the state of Iowa. These recruiters assist attorneys seeking new opportunities as well as law firms and corporate legal departments looking to fill key positions. Whether supporting a confidential career move or helping employers identify qualified legal talent, these firms bring experience, discretion, and insight to every placement.
Find a trusted legal recruiter in Iowa today.
MB Attorney Search
MB Attorney Search offers over 25 years of experience recruiting talented attorneys for our client’s hiring needs. MB Attorney Search connects attorneys in Des Moines and throughout the Midwest with employers forging relationships that make a positive impact on businesses, careers, and most importantly, lives. Advantageous introductions are what we do best. Our reputation depends on it.
Metro Areas in Iowa
The Legal Industry in Iowa
Iowa’s legal market blends a strong presence in its urban cores with demand across rural and regional sectors. Des Moines functions as the central hub, with many corporate, financial, and regulatory practices, while Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, and Sioux City host important regional legal work. One of the largest firms in Iowa is Nyemaster Goode, with offices in Des Moines, Ames, and Cedar Rapids, operating across multiple practice areas. Another notable name is Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, a well-established full-service firm with a long legacy in Iowa.
Iowa’s economy is anchored by agriculture, manufacturing, insurance and financial services, healthcare, and growing technology and data sectors. These industries drive legal demand in areas such as agricultural law, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, real estate, mergers & acquisitions, labor and employment, and environmental regulation. With steady growth in business formation and regional expansion, opportunities exist especially in niche and underserved markets.
Is it Difficult to Practice Law in Iowa?
Gaining admission to the Iowa Bar involves meeting several specific academic, testing, and character requirements. Below are the main steps:
- Earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA accredited law school (or satisfy equivalent standards).
- Take the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) in Iowa and achieve the passing scaled score of 266 or higher.
- Satisfy the MPRE requirement (Iowa typically requires a minimum score of 80) and have that score on file by the time of the bar exam.
- Submit a complete application to the Iowa Board of Law Examiners, including transcripts, references, and required fees.
- Demonstrate good moral character and fitness to practice, as reviewed by the Board, including disclosures, background checks, and potentially interviews.
- For attorneys already licensed in other jurisdictions, apply for admission by motion (i.e. without examination) if you have actively practiced law for at least five of the past seven years.
- Once approved, take the required oath and maintain your license through continuing legal education (CLE) requirements and bar membership duties.
Whether you’re looking to join a top firm in Des Moines or build your practice in Iowa’s growing regional markets, our network of trusted legal recruiters can help guide your next move. The Legal Recruiter Directory connects attorneys with the right opportunities across the state. Start your search today with confidence.
