Position Title:Student Legal Services Attorney
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience
Special Required QualificationsJuris Doctor, License to practice law in the State of Iowa
Preferred Qualifications:Experience in student legal services, legal aid, or public defense.
Experience with landlord/tenant law, misdemeanor defense, family law, or consumer protection.
Demonstrated legal research, legal writing, and courtroom skills.
Job Description:
Do you want to make a real impact by helping college students navigate legal challenges and succeed academically? Looking for a role that offers excellent work-life balance without sacrificing meaningful work?
If so, Student Legal Services within the Dean of Students office is looking for a Student Legal Services Attorney to join their team!
The Student Legal Services Attorney provides legal advice, consultation, and limited representation to Iowa State University students in civil and criminal matters permitted by the Student Legal Services operational plan. The attorney provides outreach and educational programs, conducts client consultations, performs legal research, drafts pleadings and other legal documents, and represents students in court. This role is ideal for attorneys from varied professional backgrounds. Candidates with experience in legal practice, public service, higher education, client-facing roles, or other positions that require strong judgment, analytical ability, and communication skills will thrive in this position.
This position reports to the Director of Student Legal Services within the Dean of Students Office and operates under the office's Memorandum of Understanding with Student Government. This position will be classified as a Student Services Specialist III.
What You'll Do:
Provide confidential legal advice, advocacy, and limited representation to currently enrolled students in eligible civil and misdemeanor criminal matters.
Develop and present educational programming on relevant legal topics.
Draft and file legal documents such as pleadings, motions, discovery, and agreements.
Represent students in court and administrative hearings within the authorized scope of Student Legal Services.
Conduct legal research, analyze case law and statutes, and prepare legal opinions.
Advise and assist student organizations on eligible legal matters, including contracts and governance.
Maintain accurate client records, case notes, and reporting data consistent with office procedures.
Stay current with professional continuing legal education (CLE) requirements and relevant areas of student law.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
This posting will be open until filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications need to be submitted before January 20th, 2026.
About Student Legal Services at Iowa State University:
Funded by Student Government, the mission of the Student Legal Services Office at Iowa State University is to provide professional, confidential legal advice and support to college students, free of charge, when no conflict of interest with the university exists. Our office is committed to assisting students in addressing their legal concerns, ensuring their access to legal resources, and promoting their academic and personal success. When appropriate, we facilitate referrals to community legal services to further support our students. Our dedication aligns with the mission of the University (https://strategicplan.iastate.edu/) and Division of Student Affairs (https://studentaffairs.iastate.edu/about) , emphasizing the importance of serving all students and contributing to their overall success throughout their college experience.
Level Guidelines- Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU's mission and department or work unit goals- Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude- Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action- Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices- Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff- May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)- May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist- Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS808
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: - Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans - Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans - Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) - Life insurance and long-term disability - Flexible Spending Accounts - Various voluntary benefits and discounts - Employee Assistance Program - Wellbeing program - Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: December 29, 2025
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R18223
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
