Associate Attorney – Municipal & Public Finance at Orion Placement in Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Job description

• Build a true niche early in your career: municipal law + public finance + urban renewal/TIF
• Get hands-on experience with bond transactions, closings, and real client exposure (not back office work)
• Work on matters that directly shape communities across Iowa (infrastructure, redevelopment, public projects)
• Learn from a seasoned team known for responsiveness, precision, and long-term public-sector relationships
• Grow fast with strong mentoring, variety in your docket, and a clear path to increased responsibility

Responsibilities

• Support municipal bond transactions as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, or issuers counsel
• Draft and review bond resolutions, official statements, closing documents, and related transaction materials
• Assist with due diligence and manage bond closing logistics and timelines
• Help advise clients on federal tax-exempt bond rules and securities law compliance
• Provide day-to-day counsel to cities, counties, and public boards on municipal governance and statutory authority
• Research and support compliance on open meetings, public records, conflicts of interest, and ethics issues
• Draft ordinances, policies, development agreements, and intergovernmental contracts
• Assist with urban renewal planning, TIF ordinances, development incentives, and implementation strategy
• Attend and support client meetings (council/board meetings as needed) and communicate clearly with public stakeholders

Requirements

• Must have a J.D. and be admitted to the Iowa Bar, or able to promptly obtain Iowa admission.
• J.D. from an accredited law school
• 0+ years of experience (were open to new grads through early-career attorneys); public finance, municipal, or transactional exposure is a plus
• Strong legal writing, research, and attention to detail
• Professional communication style and comfort working with public clients
• Ability to prioritize deadlines and manage multiple matters without dropping details
• Genuine interest in public service work and long-term client relationships

Skills

Required

• Strong legal writing
• research
• attention to detail
• Professional communication style
• comfort working with public clients
• Ability to prioritize deadlines

Benefits

• Youll join a team that values quality, mentorship, and balance — while still doing meaningful, high-impact work. We invest in your development, give you real responsibility early, and offer the stability and purpose that comes with serving public entities across the state. Competitive compensation and benefits are offered.
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance