Why Work for Iowa Legal Aid?
Iowa Legal Aid in the News
Why Work for Iowa Legal Aid?
If you are an attorney:
- Public Service - Iowa Legal Aid attorneys have the opportunity to engage in meaningful public service work with a client population that needs and appreciates the help they receive. While not every client achieves the outcome they hope for, most appreciate the help they receive.
- Professional Challenges - Nationally and in Iowa, legal aid attorneys have been at the forefront of significant advocacy. Iowa Legal Aid attorneys are protecting the rights of tenants, are shielding victims of domestic violence, and are helping protect Iowans who are low-income, elderly or have a disability from consumer scams and financial loss.
- A Community of Advocates - When you work for Iowa Legal Aid you are a part of a national and statewide community of poverty law advocates. Since the 1960's, legal aid attorneys have created and maintained networks for support and training. The list of resources includes: probono.net/iowa; The Shriver National Center on Poverty; The National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA); The Center on Law and Social Policy (CLASP).
If you are not an attorney:
The same benefits of public service and being part of a justice community apply to those who serve in one of Iowa Legal Aid's other professional and support positions. Staff enjoy the following opportunities:
- Innovative Technology - Even though Iowa Legal Aid is a nonprofit organization which faces the continuing challenges of securing sufficient funding, the program has been at the forefront of integrating new technology. In 2008, the program was awarded the National Legal Aid and Defender Association's Innovations in Technology Award.
- Collegial Work Environment - Iowa Legal Aid recognizes the contributions that all staff can make in serving the legal needs of low-income Iowans. Good client service is very much dependent upon professional, patient and compassionate support staff who work closely with attorneys in extending the best legal services possible.
America is indeed fortunate to have women and men who are passionately committed to doing battle to redress injustice, to work for the common good, and to provide voice for people who lack the means to vindicate their rights through conventional political or legal channels. -Justice John Paul Stevens upon receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association