Effective immediately, the Legislative Services Agency is accepting applications for the position of Legal Counsel to begin in the fall of 2026.  Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to the Director, Legislative Services Agency, State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa 50319, online at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/careers.  The Legislative Services Agency is an equal opportunity employer.  Applications must be received by May 4, 2026.

The LSA is a nonpartisan, central staff agency of around 100 employees serving members and committees of the Iowa General Assembly. The LSA’s workforce spans three divisions and multiple offices where individuals contribute their unique expertise and talents to advance a shared mission of serving the Iowa General Assembly in a nonpartisan manner.

The LSA offers meaningful work with great benefits. Our employees participate in the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) pension plan, the LSA is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF), and low-cost, high-quality health and dental insurance is offered.

LEGAL COUNSEL

The Legal Services Division supports the legislative work of the Iowa General Assembly without participating in partisan politics.  We draft legislation for all 150 state legislators, staff legislative committees, consult with legislators and governmental officials and staff, and assist in the publication of the Iowa Code.  If you are interested in serving the public by applying your research, writing, interpersonal, and analytical skills to help create clear and unambiguous laws, in finding creative solutions to complex and timely public policy issues, and in learning something new every day, consider applying to be a Legal Counsel with the LSA.

Applicants must have excellent analytical and communication skills and the ability to develop superior drafting skills and expertise in assigned areas of the law.  The ability to handle heavy workload under extremely short deadlines and to prioritize workload is essential.  Overtime work during the legislative session (typically January through May), including nights and weekends, is required.  Partial compensatory time during the legislative interim is available.  A law degree is required, except that third-year law students are encouraged to apply.  Bar admission and previous professional experience are desired.  A writing exercise is required of interviewees.  Beginning annual salary is $63,897.60. Partisan political activity and legislative issue advocacy are prohibited.  

About Iowa Legislative Services Agency

The Legislative Services Agency (LSA) is established by Iowa Code chapters 2A and 2B. The LSA was created as a nonpartisan, central legislative staff agency under the direction and control of the Legislative Council to serve the Senate and House members and committees and the Legislative Council. LSA is a nonpartisan agency that is not identified with a political party or any special interest. Nonpartisanship is the core value that guides how the LSA serves the General Assembly. It dictates how the LSA interacts with legislators, caucus staff, agency officials, lobbyists, and the public. It requires staff to serve fairly and impartially all legislators (regardless of party or rank), practice the discipline of putting aside personal beliefs when serving legislators, and ensure that the LSA’s work is objective and unbiased. The LSA is comprised of approximately 100 employees organized in several divisions and offices.

Connections working at Iowa Legislative Services Agency