The 2026 Iowa legislative session delivered major victories for the ISBA, including advancement of nearly all affirmative agenda priorities, increased indigent defense funding, and creation of a new Attorney Loan Repayment Program supporting rural legal practice.

The May issue of The Iowa Lawyer magazine explores succession planning and the future of legal practice in Iowa, with a special focus on rural communities, ethical responsibilities, and long-term sustainability for the profession.

Attorneys, judges, legal professionals, and community leaders gathered in courthouses and public spaces across Iowa to reaffirm their commitment to the Constitution, the courts, and the rule of law during the National Law Day of Action.

Nearly 500 student competitors traveled to Des Moines last week as Iowa attorneys, judges, volunteers, and ISBA staff hosted the 2026 National High School Mock Trial Championship, returning the national event to the city where it began more than four decades ago.

This month’s letter highlights a statewide effort to address Iowa’s growing rural attorney shortage, emphasizing both the urgent challenges and promising opportunities to strengthen access to justice through targeted outreach, data-driven solutions, and collaboration.

An attorney shares how her rural Iowa upbringing, mentorship, and thoughtful succession planning allowed her to build a fulfilling legal career serving small-town and agricultural communities while highlighting the urgent need for new lawyers in rural practice.

Succession planning may feel like a task for “someday,” but this article explains why Iowa attorneys must treat it as an ethical responsibility now and offers practical guidance to protect clients, their practice, and their legacy when the unexpected happens.

In a candid and often humorous reflection, Dale Lamb shares hard-earned insights on what it really means to step away from the law, urging attorneys to plan, learn from those who’ve retired, and recognize the personal and professional signs that it may be time to pass the torch.

As generative AI rapidly reshapes the legal landscape, this article breaks down the evolving intellectual property challenges and risks, offering essential guidance to help lawyers protect clients, navigate uncertainty, and stay ahead of emerging legal issues.