Public Information
The Iowa State Bar provides a variety of information and services for the public -- from consumer legal information to information about the attorney grievance process. If you have ideas or suggestions on how to improve this page, please send an e-mail to webmaster@iowabar.org.
Attorney Discipline
Working to maintain high ethical standards in the legal profession, the Iowa Supreme Court established a system of reviewing complaints against lawyers for unethical conduct. No tax dollars are involved and the system is funded wholly from fees paid annually to the Client Security Fund of Iowa by Iowa attorneys.
The following link will assist you if you have hired or worked with an Iowa attorney and are experiencing problems. Please consider all the information provided before filing a complaint with the Iowa Board of Professional Ethics.
Additional Attorney Discipline Information
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Client Security Fund
The Client Security Commission manages a fund, generated from contributions from lawyers and judges, that reimburses clients of lawyers who have misappropriated or lost a client's money. The purpose of the fund is to prevent defalcations by members of the lowa bar, and insofar as practicable, to provide for the indemnification by the profession for losses caused to the public by the dishonest conduct of members of the bar of this state. The fund also covers the cost of administering the lawyer disciplinary system and other programs which impact the disciplinary system. The commission advises the court on policies involving the administration of the fund.
For more information visit the Client Security Commission website or contact client.security@iowacourts.gov
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Consumer Pamphlet Series
The Iowa State Bar publishes a variety of consumer information brochures and pamphlets to help educate the public about legal issues. Although the pamphlets are designed to inform the public, they are not designed to give advice on any specific legal matter.
Review the Bar's consumer pamphlets
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Iowa Lawdio
The Iowa State Bar Association’s series of audio podcasts are designed to provide you with general information about various aspects of the law. We strive to cover legal issues of greatest concern to people. However, we also welcome suggestions for topics that we may not have thought about. You can send those suggestions to: isba@iowabar.org, or to: The Iowa State Bar Association, 625 East Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309-1904.
Access Iowa Lawdio
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Judicial Plebiscite "Evaluations"
Every two years, Iowa voters are asked to vote on whether justices on the Supreme Court, through judges on the Court of Appeals, District, District Associate and Associate Juvenile Courts should be retained in office. The retention question always appears in even numbered years. The Iowa State Bar Association, in an effort to help the public know how its member attorneys who practice before the judges whose names appear on the ballot feel, conducts its statewide plebiscite before the election and makes the results public. “The Iowa State Bar Association’s plebiscite represents our effort, as a service to the people and their government, to provide the public with information based on the first-hand observations of its members."
View plebiscite results
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Legal Forms
Living Wills
Patient's Authorization
Powers of Attorney for Health Care Decisions
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Low Income Assistance
In Iowa there are limited resources and programs available to provide free legal assistance. When you call a program to request assistance, you will be screened for eligibility. A client is eligible for assistance if their income falls within the established guidelines and if the case fits within the priorities set by the program. Not all clients who financially qualify will be able to receive assistance because of the limited staff or volunteer resources of the programs.
View Organizations
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Older Iowan Resource Guide
This Information and Resource Guide is provided as a service for seniors, their families and friends to assist them in finding basic information and locating services for Iowa senior citizens. This service is provided by the Iowa State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section and is intended for use as a general resource and starting point. It is not intended to provide individual professional advice. More specific information can be obtained by contacting the listed resources or by seeking the services of professionals in these areas of concentration.
View the Older Iowan Resource Guide
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Selecting a Lawyer
It is important to select an attorney who can help with the specific legal problem. Most lawyers practice in certain areas, and only take cases in their practice areas. An attorney who cannot help you may still be able to refer you to an attorney or law firm that does handle your type of legal matter. If you call a law office and learn they do not practice the type of law you need help with, ask them if they can recommend another firm. The Iowa State Bar Association offers a Find-A-Lawyer service to help clients find lawyers.
Access Find-A-Lawyer and read suggestions on how to choose a lawyer.
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