Top 10 Law Firms Hiring OPT Students
The top 10 law firms hiring OPT students include State of Oklahoma, State of Ohio, and State of West Virginia, spanning law and legal services, government and public sector, and consulting and professional services roles across the country. Migrate Mate is tracking 430 live OPT jobs across these employers as of August 26, 2026, updated daily. For F-1 students whose field of study aligns with legal, policy, or professional services work, these employers offer a direct path to post-graduation experience without any employer filing requirement.
Which law firms hire the most OPT students?
Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily
- 01
State of Oklahoma
GovernmentPublic SectorRegulatoryState of Oklahoma has 89 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any law firm on this list. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Nursing. The State of Oklahoma delivers legislative, regulatory, and administrative services across state agencies.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal32
- Nursing30
- Project & Program Management24
- Mental & Behavioral Health23
- Healthcare Administration23
+169 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Oklahoma89 openSee all 89+ State of Oklahoma OPT jobsApplyJuvenile Justice Specialist I/IIOklahoma · On-siteApplyNurse ManagerOklahoma · On-siteApplyProbation and Parole OfficerOklahoma · On-siteApplyLieutenantOklahoma · On-siteApplyDriver's License Examiner IOklahoma · On-site - 02
State of Ohio
GovernmentPublic SectorLegal AffairsState of Ohio has 78 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Teaching & Instruction and Project & Program Management. Ohio state government manages public administration, legislative functions, and legal operations statewide.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction20
- Project & Program Management20
- Compliance & Legal19
- Science & Research16
- Healthcare Administration14
+162 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Ohio78 openSee all 78+ State of Ohio OPT jobsApplyAEM DeveloperColumbus, Ohio · On-siteApplyAssistant AuditorOhio · HybridApplyActivity Therapy AdministratorMarysville, Ohio · On-siteApplyFacility Maintenance Specialist 1Columbus, Ohio · On-siteApplyParole Services SupervisorDayton, Ohio · On-site - 03
State of West Virginia
GovernmentPublic AdministrationLegalState of West Virginia has 51 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Customer Service & Support. West Virginia state government manages public administration, legal counsel, and regulatory compliance functions.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal16
- Customer Service & Support13
- Mental & Behavioral Health12
- Allied Health11
- Finance10
+115 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of West Virginia51 openSee all 51+ State of West Virginia OPT jobsApplyPark Superintendent 2West Virginia · On-siteApplyChild Support Specialist 1West Virginia · On-siteApplyDisease Intervention Specialist TraineeWest Virginia · On-siteApplyDisease Intervention Specialist 1West Virginia · On-siteApplyPark RangerWest Virginia · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 1,100+ OPT jobs- 04
City of New York
GovernmentPublic PolicyLegal AffairsCity of New York has 39 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Project & Program Management and Engineering (Non-Software). New York City government administers public services, policy, and legal operations across the five boroughs.
Open roles by team
- Project & Program Management18
- Engineering (Non-Software)14
- Civil & Structural Engineering10
- Data Science & Analytics9
- Compliance & Legal7
+77 roles across other teams
Open roles at City of New York39 openSee all 39+ City of New York OPT jobsApplyField ScientistKingston, New York · On-siteApplyProgram OfficerNew York, New York · On-siteApplyAging SpecialistNew York, New York · On-siteApplyExecutive AssistantManhattan, New York · On-siteApplyParks Enforcement PatrolNew York, New York · On-site - 05
Latham & Watkins LLP
Law FirmTransactionsRegulatoryLatham & Watkins LLP has 38 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Business Operations. Latham & Watkins is a global law firm advising clients on transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal30
- Business Operations11
- Human Resources9
- Finance8
- Accounting8
+73 roles across other teams
Open roles at Latham & Watkins LLP38 openSee all 38+ Latham & Watkins LLP OPT jobsApplyOGC Counsel - Conflicts & EthicsChicago, Illinois · HybridApplyAssociate Recruiting Senior CoordinatorNew York, New York · HybridApplyOGC AssistantWashington, Washington DC · HybridApplySpecialist – Revenue OperationsCosta Mesa, California · HybridApplyOGC Senior AnalystChicago, Illinois · Hybrid - Editor’s note
How this list is ranked
These employers are ranked by how many roles open to OPT candidates they have live on Migrate Mate right now. OPT is your own work authorization rather than something the employer files, so the practical question is whether the role fits your field of study and whether the team has hired people on OPT before.
- 06
Kirkland & Ellis
Law FirmCorporateLitigationKirkland & Ellis has 28 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Data Science & Analytics and Teaching & Instruction. Kirkland & Ellis is a global law firm focused on private equity, corporate transactions, and complex litigation.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics24
- Teaching & Instruction21
- Project & Program Management13
- Software Engineering12
- AI & Machine Learning12
+56 roles across other teams
Open roles at Kirkland & Ellis28 openSee all Kirkland & Ellis OPT jobsApplyTechnology Support Analyst IIDallas, Texas · On-siteApplyLegal Talent Acquisition AssistantNew York, New York · On-siteApplyOperations AssistantHouston, Texas · On-siteApplySenior Financial AnalystChicago, Illinois · HybridApplyGuest Services RepresentativeNew York, New York · On-site - 07
Sidley Austin
Law FirmLitigationCorporateSidley Austin has 28 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Business Analysis and Compliance & Legal. Sidley Austin is an international law firm handling litigation, corporate deals, and financial regulatory matters.
Open roles by team
- Business Analysis15
- Compliance & Legal14
- Project & Program Management12
- Administrative & Office Support7
- Business Development6
+54 roles across other teams
Open roles at Sidley Austin28 openSee all Sidley Austin OPT jobsApplyProject AssistantBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyLegal Recruiting Associate CoordinatorChicago, Illinois · HybridApplyLegal Recruiting AdministratorChicago, Illinois · HybridApplyService Desk TechnicianChicago, Illinois · HybridApplyLateral Legal Recruiting CoordinatorLos Angeles, California · Hybrid See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 1,100+ OPT jobs- 08
Cooley LLP
Law FirmCorporateVentureCooley LLP has 27 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Paralegal & Legal Support. Cooley LLP advises technology, life sciences, and venture-backed companies on corporate and regulatory matters.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal38
- Paralegal & Legal Support6
- Data Science & Analytics4
- Project & Program Management4
- Marketing3
+27 roles across other teams
Open roles at Cooley LLP27 openSee all Cooley LLP OPT jobsApplyCollaboration Technology and Workflow EngineerSan Francisco, California · HybridApplyIP Litigation ParalegalWashington, Washington DC · On-siteApplyAssociate Development AssistantNew York · On-siteApplyData Operations SpecialistNew York · On-siteApplyBusiness Marketing SpecialistChicago, Illinois · On-site - 09
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Law FirmCorporate FinanceIPDorsey & Whitney LLP has 27 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Consulting & Strategy. Dorsey & Whitney provides legal services in corporate finance, litigation, and intellectual property across global markets.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal46
- Consulting & Strategy18
- Electrical Engineering16
- Paralegal & Legal Support7
- Tax6
+5 roles across other teams
Open roles at Dorsey & Whitney LLP27 openSee all Dorsey & Whitney LLP OPT jobsApplyPatent Agent or Technical AdvisorSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyFinance & Restructuring AssociateDallas, Texas · On-siteApplyCommercial Litigation AssociateAnchorage, Alaska · On-siteApplySenior AttorneyMissoula, Montana · On-siteApplyTrusts & Estates AssociateSeattle, Washington · On-site - 10
NVIDIA
TechnologyLegalProfessional ServicesNVIDIA has 25 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Software Engineering and Data Science & Analytics. NVIDIA designs graphics processing units, AI computing platforms, and enterprise hardware solutions.
Open roles by team
- Software Engineering20
- Data Science & Analytics18
- Engineering (Non-Software)18
- AI & Machine Learning8
- Electrical Engineering8
+24 roles across other teams
Open roles at NVIDIA25 openSee all NVIDIA OPT jobsApplySenior Automation and Tools Development EngineerSanta Clara, California · On-siteApplySenior Deep Learning Software EngineerAustin, Texas · On-siteApplySystems Software EngineerSanta Clara, California · On-siteApplyArchitecture Energy Modeling EngineerSanta Clara, California · On-siteApplyResearch EngineerSanta Clara, California · On-site
How OPT works
OPT is work authorization for F-1 students, not an employer-sponsored visa. The student applies through their school's international office (the DSO) and USCIS with Form I-765; the employer files nothing. The role must relate to the student's field of study. OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible degrees.
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Find 1,100+ OPT jobsLaw OPT Employers: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies hire the most OPT students?
State of Oklahoma has the most, with 89 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by State of Ohio (78) and State of West Virginia (51). Across the 10 law firms on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 430 live OPT jobs, updated daily.
Who is eligible for OPT?
F-1 students who have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year are eligible for OPT. Work must be directly related to the student's major field of study. Standard post-completion OPT authorizes 12 months of work. Students who graduated from a STEM-designated program may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, bringing the total to 36 months. The student applies through their DSO and files Form I-765 with USCIS.
How much does F-1 OPT cost?
F-1 OPT is student work authorization, so there is no employer sponsorship fee. The student pays the USCIS filing fee for the work-authorization application, plus any costs their school charges. Fee amounts change from time to time, so check the current figure before you rely on it.
How do I get OPT through a top employer?
The employer does not file anything for OPT. The student works with their Designated School Official to request an updated I-20 recommending OPT, then files Form I-765 with USCIS to receive an Employment Authorization Document. Once the EAD arrives and the authorization start date is reached, the student can begin working. Students should apply well in advance of their program end date, as USCIS processing times vary and the EAD must be in hand before work begins.