Get to know the best legal recruiters in Des Moines waiting to help industry veterans land an ideal position. With the Legal Recruiter Directory, attorneys can get a complete list of all boutique recruitment firms in Des Moines as well as contact information for some of the larger heavyweights in the area.
Verified Des Moines Area Legal Recruiters
Atticus Recruiting is a legal recruitment agency specializing in placing highly skilled and exceptionally well credentialed attorneys at top-tier law firms and coveted in-house positions across the Midwest.
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Job Opportunities
With a six-county metropolitan area of over 700,000 residents, Des Moines is both the capital and most populous city in Iowa. Strategically located on the Des Moines River, the city is a key commercial hub for industries like insurance, agriculture and financial services. Des Moines’ business-friendly climate, low cost of living and Midwestern charm make it an ideal setting for talented attorneys who are pursuing relocation opportunities.
Over 3,000 attorneys currently practice in Des Moines, many of whom do so at one of the city’s 100s of corporations, nearly 300 law firms or numerous government agencies. Area lawyers earn an average base salary of $101,188 while enjoying career-enrichment activities through these professional organizations:
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Polk County Bar Association
- Drake University Law School
- Other state and local bar associations
Requirements to Practice Law
To sit for the Iowa Bar Exam, you must hold a J.D. Degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Iowa administers the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and the application fee is $550. Attorneys who are licensed to practice law in another US jurisdiction and who meet other requirements may also apply to join the Iowa Bar without taking the Bar Exam (Application for Admission Without Examination). Those candidates must pay an application fee of $900.
Once an attorney has passed the Bar Exam they are then sworn in as a new member of the Iowa Bar. To maintain a law license in Iowa all attorneys must complete 15 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) annually, including two hours every two years in ethics. For more information visit: www.lawyeredu.org.
Why Des Moines?
Des Moines is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the US thanks to a thriving global economy fueled by three Fortune 1000 companies: Principal Financial, Meredith and American Equity Investment Life Holding. In addition to insurance and financial services, key economic sectors include banking, data processing and agriculture. In addition to its robust economy, Des Moines is also a vibrant regional hub for arts, transportation and entertainment.
With all it has to offer the area’s cost of living is below the national average due to housing and transportation, although healthcare costs run higher than comparable US cities. The legal district is located downtown west of the Des Moines River and north of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Many commuters take advantage of bus and shuttle services provided by the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), while some of the city’s best neighborhoods include Waterbury, Greenwood, Ingersoll Park, Linden Heights and Salisbury Oaks.
In addition to the area’s 4,000 acres of parkland and 80 miles of multi-use trails, other major attractions include its arts and music festivals, Blank Park Zoo, Gray’s Lake Park, Downtown Farmers Market, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Des Moines Art Center. The four-season climate produces an average of 204 sunny days, 33 inches of snow and 36 inches of rain every year. July is typically the warmest month, with daily highs near 85 degrees F., and January the coolest month, with average lows of around 13 degrees F.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The candidate pool in Des Moines is varied and competitive, reflecting the city’s key industries in finance, insurance, healthcare, and agriculture. Legal professionals in Des Moines often have backgrounds in corporate law, insurance law, and regulatory compliance, making them well-suited for roles at local and regional companies. Des Moines is home to several reputable educational institutions, including Drake University Law School, which consistently produces skilled graduates entering the workforce.
Additionally, the city’s affordable cost of living and family-friendly environment attract experienced legal professionals from larger markets seeking a more balanced lifestyle, enriching the talent pool with mid-career and senior attorneys.
Des Moines sees high demand for legal professionals specializing in insurance law, employment law, and corporate law. Given the city’s status as a major hub for the insurance industry, lawyers who can navigate complex regulatory compliance and claims disputes are especially sought after. In-house counsel positions are also prevalent, particularly within finance, healthcare, and manufacturing companies, as local businesses seek legal expertise to manage contracts, mergers, and labor relations. Real estate attorneys are also in demand due to ongoing development projects in and around the city, along with litigators who handle disputes related to these sectors.
The insurance and financial services sectors are the primary drivers of the legal market in Des Moines. Major companies like Principal Financial Group and Nationwide require legal support for compliance, contract management, and litigation, especially as they navigate regulatory frameworks.
The healthcare industry also has a significant presence, with organizations such as UnityPoint Health and MercyOne relying on legal expertise for compliance, patient privacy, and labor issues. Furthermore, the agricultural sector shapes the market through legal needs around land use, environmental compliance, and agribusiness contracts. Together, these industries create a dynamic legal landscape, offering opportunities across a wide range of practice areas.
Recent trends in Des Moines are reshaping the local legal field, with significant growth in regulatory compliance and data privacy due to increased focus on cybersecurity and consumer protection. As companies digitize operations, legal professionals specializing in data security are in higher demand. Environmental law is also gaining prominence, driven by stricter regulations on sustainability, especially within the agricultural sector.
The real estate market has also seen growth, leading to more legal work in zoning, land use, and property development. Furthermore, a shift towards alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is helping businesses resolve conflicts more efficiently, indicating a trend away from traditional litigation.
The shift to remote work has significantly impacted Des Moines’ legal market, with many firms and corporate legal departments adopting hybrid or fully remote work models. This flexibility has expanded the talent pool, allowing firms to attract experienced attorneys from across the Midwest, including those who might have previously been based in larger cities.
Compensation remains competitive, with the average salary for lawyers in Des Moines at $166,871. This figure reflects the city’s strong demand for skilled legal professionals, particularly those specializing in corporate, insurance, and employment law. Additionally, the transition to remote work has led firms to invest in digital collaboration tools and cybersecurity measures, ensuring productivity and security in a more flexible work environment.
Diversity and inclusion have become focal points for law firms and corporate legal departments in Des Moines. Organizations like the Iowa State Bar Association have been actively promoting initiatives that encourage diversity in the legal profession, including mentorship programs for women, minorities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. While progress is ongoing, firms are taking steps to ensure inclusive hiring practices and improve representation within their ranks.
Local bar associations host events aimed at fostering dialogue and understanding, providing platforms for diverse legal professionals to share their experiences and insights. While challenges remain, there is a clear and growing commitment within the Des Moines legal community to build a more diverse and inclusive environment.
