Iowa State Bar Association

What it reported doing in 2024

Committee and section expenses - the isba has 24 substantive law sections and 36 committees with over 600 volunteer participants. Sections - a section is comprised of lawyers who practice in similar legal specialties. Each section is designed to offer closer association between attorneys engaged in specialized fields of law, thus providing the opportunity to share professional experiences. To accomplish this, many sections publish newsletters/reports covering current topics, pending and adopted legislation, and recent updates on cases. Committees - committees are established by the board of directors and appointed by the president-elect to consider matters of interest to the bar membership, update professional materials, recommend changes to policies and procedures, and study various legal issues affecting the legal profession and the public. Law and civic education - the "know your constitution" committee of the young lawyers division of the Iowa state bar association offers one of the best and most publicized law- related educational programs in the state of Iowa. Each fall, a quiz with 50 multiple choice questions and one essay question is distributed to high school students all over the state. After all quizzes are returned to the isba office, the committee then grades the quizzes to select 100 finalists, one from each house district. Approximately 2000 high school students participate in the contest. The 100 finalists then are invited along with their teachers to an awards luncheon in the des moines area. Of the 100 finalists, 5 are chosen at random and awarded an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, d.c., for them and their teachers. The mock trial program is designed to introduce students to our legal system by providing a challenging, academic competition. The program offers students an opportunity for personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the importance of research, presentation and teamwork. In addition to teaching students about contemporary public issues and the legal system, the program encourages teachers and students to develop learning partnerships with professionals from the community. Lawyers from communities throughout Iowa contribute their time as coaches and judges at the tournaments. Judges from Iowa's district courts also participate. These links between the schools and the legal profession show students that the community is committed to their educational success.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 66.8%; rating input score 67
• Program expense ratio: 61.9%; rating input score 62
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 1.7%; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.09; rating input score 74; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.21; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.6%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -3.1% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 0.5% per year; rating input score 100; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.7% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings