Legal Resources for Iowans
Navigating the legal system can be complex and intimidating. The State Library provides a list of resources to assist Iowans in finding attorneys to help with their cases and find ways to solve disputes without going to court.
The State Library's Law Librarian can also answer questions about Iowa law and help with legal research, but will not provide legal advice.
Finding an Attorney
Below is a list of resources to help locate an attorney in Iowa. You can also ask friends, family and trusted professionals for referrals.
Iowa Legal Aid
website
Central Iowa Regional Office
1111 9th St., Suite 230 Des Moines, IA 50314-2527
515-243-1193, 1-800-532-1275 or 1-800-272-0008 (Spanish)
- Outside central Iowa, call to see which office serves you.
Drake University Law School Legal Clinic
website
2400 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311
515-271-3851
- “Neal and Bea Smith Legal Clinic” under “Clinics and Centers.”
Middleton Center for Children’s Rights
website
2400 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311
515-271-3851
Disability Rights IOWA
website
400 E. Court Ave. Suite 300, Des Moines, IA 50309
515-278-2502 or 1-800-779-2502
TTY: 515-278-0571 or 1-866-483-3342
Legal Hotline for Older Iowans: Iowa Legal Aid
website
1111 9th St., Suite 230 Des Moines, IA 50314-2527
515-282-8161 or 1-800-992-8161
Youth Law Center
website
218 Sixth St, suite 300, Des Moines, IA 50309
515-244-1172 or 1-800-728-1172
Iowa Concern Hotline: Iowa State University
website
1-800-447-1985
HOLA Program
website
3850 Merle Hay Road, Suite 100 & 500, Des Moines, IA, 50311
1-800-372-6031
Persons Using English as a Second Language/
Se Habla Español
website
430 Iowa Ave. Iowa City, IA 52240
1-800-272-0008 or 1-319-351-6570
Volunteer Lawyers Project
website
625 E. Court, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50309
515-243-3904
Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
website
515-280-7429 or 1-800-532-1108 (in-Iowa only)
- Free referrals to private attorneys only.
Find Legal Help from the American Bar Association
website
Lawyers.com from Martindale-Hubbell
website
Findlaw for the Public
website
Attorneys.com
website
1-800-913-7222
Avvo - Find a Lawyer
website
Resolving Disputes Without Going to Court
Many disputes can be solved without involving the courts; contact the organizations below to discuss your specific situation. Attorneys may also be able to provide additional options for resolving disputes without going to court.
Iowa Mediation Services
website
Central Iowa (515) 331-8081
SE Iowa (319) 398-4042
NE Iowa (641) 423-4322
SW Iowa (641) 782-7329
NW Iowa (712) 262-7007
Consumer Protection Division:
Iowa Attorney General’s Office
- for issues involving consumer fraud, sales practices and advertisements.
website
515-281-5926
Consumer Affairs:
Iowa Division of Insurance
- for issues involving health, life
or auto insurance companies or policies.
website
515-281-5705 or 1-877-955-1212
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
- for issues involving civil rights.
website
515-281-4121 or 1-800-457-4416
Iowa Department of Human Services: Child Support Customer Services Unit
- for issues involving the collection
of child support payments.
website
515-242-5530 or 1-888-229-9223
Iowa Utilities Board
Customer Service Section
- for complaints about public utility service.
website
515-281-3839 or 1-877-565-4450
Iowa Department of Workforce Development
- for issues involving wage payment,
unemployment claims and workers’ compensation.
website
Wages: 515-725-5619, unemployment: 1-888-848-7442,
and workers' compensation: 1-800-645-4583.
Long Term Care Ombudsman
- for issues related to long-term care, including nursing
facilities, assisted living programs, and elder group homes.
website
1-866-236-1430
Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman
- for issues involving state or local government.
website
515-281-3592 or 1-888-426-6283
The Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory
- Dispute Resolution directory.
website
Iowa Association for Mediators
- for mediator assisted resolutions.
website
Paying for an Attorney
Retaining an attorney can be expensive and like any other unplanned financial outlay, you may have to get creative. Some people borrow money from family, friends, employers, banks or credit unions to fund their lawsuits. Others sell a valuable asset or take a second (or third) job to pay their legal fees. If you can take out a zero-interest credit card, your case-related expenses can be charged. Attorneys who represent clients suing for monetary damages will usually take a percentage of winning awards or settlements rather than charging up-front retainers and hourly rates--if you lose this type of case, you owe only overhead costs. Many attorneys are willing to work with clients to set up payment plans. Always ask your attorney if you can petition the judge to assign attorney fees and court costs to the opposing party.
The vast majority of lawsuits--upwards of 95% by most estimates--are settled out of court rather than by trial, so bringing a suit may actually end up costing much less than you anticipated, especially if your attorney can settle it without stepping foot into a courtroom. Sometimes a strongly-worded letter on law firm letterhead gets the job done. It's always a good idea to consult with an attorney, however briefly, before attempting to find your way in the maze that is our judicial system.