H-1B Visa Assistant General Counsel Jobs
Assistant General Counsel roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a J.D. and active bar admission. Large corporations, financial institutions, and tech companies regularly sponsor these positions, and the role's complexity and compensation typically place it in DOL wage levels III or IV.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Assistant General Counsel, Business Development
Job Requisition ID: 2588
Posting Start Date: 11/11/26
At Daiichi Sankyo, we are united by a single purpose, to improve lives around the world through innovative medicines. With a legacy of innovation since 1899, a presence in more than 30 countries, and more than 19,000 employees, we are advancing breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and immune disorders. Guided by our 2030 vision to "be an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society", we are shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for patients, their families, and society.
Job Summary
The Assistant General Counsel, Business Development will be responsible for providing legal counsel to Daiichi Sankyo's Global Business Development department and handle all legal aspects of licensing, co-promotion/co-development/co-marketing and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical field, including drafting, negotiating and reviewing such agreements for U.S., global and ex-U.S. territories and supporting the Alliance Management function. This role will also provide legal support for other Corporate Functions, as assigned (including but not limited to as Human Resources, Compliance, Finance and/or IT). Coordination with, and appropriate supervision of, outside counsel as is required. Provides appropriate counsel and direction to other members of the Legal Affairs Department as well as serving as a mentor in order to foster their professional growth and development as well as their achievement of Company and/or departmental expectations and goals as identified by senior management.
Responsibilities
-
Handles all legal aspects of licensing, co-promotion/co-development and acquisition deals including CDAs, due diligence, regulatory filings (e.g., Hart-Scott-Rodino), term sheet and contract negotiation.
-
Advises Head of Global Business Development and senior management (including colleagues from parent company) regarding legal and regulatory aspects of major issues involving licensing and related transactions. Such transactions may be global, US-only, ex-U.S. only, or intra-company arrangements. Negotiates, drafts and comments on such agreements.
-
Supervises outside counsel in cases where outside counsel participates in negotiation and drafting.
-
Provides full legal services to Global Business Development department and other Corporate Functions, in US and globally, as assigned. Coordinates with Global Legal/IP and regional Legal departments, as appropriate. For these areas, acts as lead attorney providing legal advice and support for the business aspects of those functions.
-
Prepares legal documents such as contracts, correspondence, both independently and for review, approval, and use by management. Independently negotiates contracts and other issues with third parties (vendors, etc.).
-
Manages, as assigned, outside lawyers and contracted legal counsel assigned to specific corporate business or functional areas of Daiichi Sankyo.
-
Handles all legal aspects of relationship management for U.S. and Global relationship with key marketing and development partners, including but not limited to Alliance Management, such as contract amendments, interpretation, etc., and will draft development agreements for companion diagnostics for pipeline products to meet rapidly evolving business/regulatory needs.
-
Monitors changes in the laws, regulations and enforcement practices of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over U.S. and Global pharmaceutical business development transactions, which present significant financial risks and potential criminal liability to a pharmaceutical company.
-
Briefs management in Global Legal/IP and other senior management in US and Tokyo regarding same.
-
Supports External Scientific Affairs on early-stage opportunities. This primarily includes legal review of CDAs, Academic Research Agreements and related activities.
Qualifications
Education Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree required
- JD from Law School of recognized standing and NJ State Bar Admission (or qualified to be admitted as limited in-house NJ attorney) required
- Eligible to practice law in the state of New Jersey (either licensed in NJ or limited in-house license) and maintain such license in good standing at all times. required
Experience Qualifications
-
7 or More Years post-law school experience, required
-
4 or More Years pharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in drafting and negotiating licensing, promotion and development deals, including global transactions. required
-
Relevant in-house corporate and/or non-litigation experience preferred
-
Experience in patent prosecution or patent litigation preferred
Travel Requirements
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. Travel includes approximately 2 weeklong trips to Japan each year; other international travel is possible.
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary Range:
USD$228,160.00 - USD$342,240.00
Job Title: Assistant General Counsel, Business Development
Job Requisition ID: 2588
Posting Start Date: 11/11/26
At Daiichi Sankyo, we are united by a single purpose, to improve lives around the world through innovative medicines. With a legacy of innovation since 1899, a presence in more than 30 countries, and more than 19,000 employees, we are advancing breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and immune disorders. Guided by our 2030 vision to "be an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society", we are shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for patients, their families, and society.
Job Summary
The Assistant General Counsel, Business Development will be responsible for providing legal counsel to Daiichi Sankyo's Global Business Development department and handle all legal aspects of licensing, co-promotion/co-development/co-marketing and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical field, including drafting, negotiating and reviewing such agreements for U.S., global and ex-U.S. territories and supporting the Alliance Management function. This role will also provide legal support for other Corporate Functions, as assigned (including but not limited to as Human Resources, Compliance, Finance and/or IT). Coordination with, and appropriate supervision of, outside counsel as is required. Provides appropriate counsel and direction to other members of the Legal Affairs Department as well as serving as a mentor in order to foster their professional growth and development as well as their achievement of Company and/or departmental expectations and goals as identified by senior management.
Responsibilities
-
Handles all legal aspects of licensing, co-promotion/co-development and acquisition deals including CDAs, due diligence, regulatory filings (e.g., Hart-Scott-Rodino), term sheet and contract negotiation.
-
Advises Head of Global Business Development and senior management (including colleagues from parent company) regarding legal and regulatory aspects of major issues involving licensing and related transactions. Such transactions may be global, US-only, ex-U.S. only, or intra-company arrangements. Negotiates, drafts and comments on such agreements.
-
Supervises outside counsel in cases where outside counsel participates in negotiation and drafting.
-
Provides full legal services to Global Business Development department and other Corporate Functions, in US and globally, as assigned. Coordinates with Global Legal/IP and regional Legal departments, as appropriate. For these areas, acts as lead attorney providing legal advice and support for the business aspects of those functions.
-
Prepares legal documents such as contracts, correspondence, both independently and for review, approval, and use by management. Independently negotiates contracts and other issues with third parties (vendors, etc.).
-
Manages, as assigned, outside lawyers and contracted legal counsel assigned to specific corporate business or functional areas of Daiichi Sankyo.
-
Handles all legal aspects of relationship management for U.S. and Global relationship with key marketing and development partners, including but not limited to Alliance Management, such as contract amendments, interpretation, etc., and will draft development agreements for companion diagnostics for pipeline products to meet rapidly evolving business/regulatory needs.
-
Monitors changes in the laws, regulations and enforcement practices of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over U.S. and Global pharmaceutical business development transactions, which present significant financial risks and potential criminal liability to a pharmaceutical company.
-
Briefs management in Global Legal/IP and other senior management in US and Tokyo regarding same.
-
Supports External Scientific Affairs on early-stage opportunities. This primarily includes legal review of CDAs, Academic Research Agreements and related activities.
Qualifications
Education Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree required
- JD from Law School of recognized standing and NJ State Bar Admission (or qualified to be admitted as limited in-house NJ attorney) required
- Eligible to practice law in the state of New Jersey (either licensed in NJ or limited in-house license) and maintain such license in good standing at all times. required
Experience Qualifications
-
7 or More Years post-law school experience, required
-
4 or More Years pharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in drafting and negotiating licensing, promotion and development deals, including global transactions. required
-
Relevant in-house corporate and/or non-litigation experience preferred
-
Experience in patent prosecution or patent litigation preferred
Travel Requirements
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. Travel includes approximately 2 weeklong trips to Japan each year; other international travel is possible.
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary Range:
USD$228,160.00 - USD$342,240.00
See all 87+ H-1B Visa Assistant General Counsel Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Assistant General Counsel
Verify your J.D. meets specialty occupation standards
USCIS requires a direct nexus between your degree and the role. A foreign law degree paired with a U.S. bar admission strengthens your petition, but document the equivalency through a credential evaluation before the employer files.
Target companies with in-house legal departments
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified H-1B LCA filing history in legal occupations. Companies with established legal teams are far more likely to have H-1B processes in place than those using outside counsel exclusively.
Confirm the prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Run the DOL OFLC Wage Search for your metro area under the 23-1011 SOC code before your offer discussion. Assistant General Counsel roles frequently land at Level III or IV, and knowing the floor protects you from underpayment in the LCA.
Ask employers about their bar admission requirements early
Some employers require admission in a specific state, while others accept any U.S. jurisdiction. Clarify this in the first interview round so you're not disqualified late in the process after the employer has already invested in your candidacy.
Check whether the role is cap-exempt before the lottery
If the employer is a nonprofit, university, or research institution, the H-1B petition may be filed outside the annual cap entirely. Many in-house legal roles at universities and hospital systems qualify, giving you a filing window that isn't limited to April.
Prepare your O*NET profile match before the RFE hits
USCIS increasingly issues RFEs on specialty occupation grounds for legal roles. Pull the O*NET occupation profile for Lawyers (23-1011) and document how your duties align with the listed tasks before your employer submits the I-129.
H-1B Visa Assistant General Counsel: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Assistant General Counsel role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Assistant General Counsel positions require a J.D. as a minimum entry requirement, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard under USCIS rules. The role must be described in the petition to show that a law degree in a directly related field is the normal minimum, not merely one of several acceptable credentials.
Does a foreign law degree qualify me for H-1B sponsorship in an Assistant General Counsel role?
A foreign law degree alone is rarely sufficient. You'll need a credential evaluation confirming U.S. degree equivalency, and most employers also require active admission to a U.S. state bar. Some employers accept admission in any jurisdiction, while others specify the state where the company is headquartered or primarily operates.
How do I find employers that sponsor H-1B visas for legal roles?
Migrate Mate filters employers by verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you can identify companies that have sponsored H-1B petitions in legal occupations. Targeting employers with existing in-house legal teams and a track record of LCA filings reduces the risk of encountering a company that won't support sponsorship.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Assistant General Counsel role if I change companies?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer as soon as they file a new I-129 petition, as long as your previous status was lawfully maintained. The new employer must file their own LCA with DOL and submit the petition before your current authorized period expires.
What happens to my H-1B status if my employer's legal department is restructured or my role is eliminated?
You have a 60-day grace period after involuntary termination to find a new sponsor, change status, or depart the U.S. Use that window to identify employers with active H-1B filing history in legal roles. If a new employer files a transfer petition within 60 days, you can begin work upon filing without waiting for approval.