H-1B Visa In House Counsel Jobs

In House Counsel roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they require a Juris Doctor and active bar admission in at least one U.S. state. Large corporations, tech companies, and financial institutions sponsor H-1B visas for attorneys handling contracts, compliance, employment law, and M&A work.

See All In House Counsel Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs12+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type42% On-site
Median Salary$148K
Top LocationArcadia, CA
Most JobsApplied Underwriters

Showing 5 of 12+ In House Counsel jobs

Dayton Children's Hospital
In House Counsel
We won't show you this job again
Dayton Children's Hospital
Added 2w ago
In House Counsel
Dayton Children's Hospital
Dayton, Ohio
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
Not listed
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
FairSquare
In-House Counsel, Transaction / Compliance
We won't show you this job again
FairSquare
Added 1mo ago
In-House Counsel, Transaction / Compliance
FairSquare
Atlanta, Georgia
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$165,000/yr - $210,000/yr
Hybrid
6+ yrs exp.
Doctorate
201-500

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Sartorius
Regional In-House Counsel
We won't show you this job again
Sartorius
Added 1mo ago
Regional In-House Counsel
Sartorius
Remote
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$140,000/yr - $185,000/yr
Remote (US)
3+ yrs exp.
None
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Palmetto Corp
In-House Counsel
We won't show you this job again
Palmetto Corp
Added 3mo ago
In-House Counsel
Palmetto Corp
Conway, South Carolina
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
On-Site
5+ yrs exp.
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Foursquare Healthcare
In-House Counsel
We won't show you this job again
Foursquare Healthcare
Added 3mo ago
In-House Counsel
Foursquare Healthcare
Dallas, Texas
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
Property Management
$100,000/yr - $200,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
None
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)

See all In House Counsel jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new In House Counsel roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all In House Counsel jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new In House Counsel roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in In House Counsel

Verify your bar admission matches the role

H-1B approval for In House Counsel hinges on your J.D. and active bar membership directly supporting the specific practice area. A contracts-focused role citing a foreign law degree without U.S. bar admission will draw an RFE from USCIS.

Target employers with legal department headcount

Companies large enough to maintain an in-house legal team are your strongest sponsorship prospects. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by H-1B LCA filing history in legal occupations, so you're applying where sponsorship is already established practice.

Confirm the prevailing wage before accepting an offer

Your employer's LCA must certify wages at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. Run the OFLC Wage Search yourself before negotiations so you know the floor and can flag discrepancies early.

Ask about cap-exempt employer status upfront

Nonprofits, universities, and government research entities are cap-exempt, letting you start immediately without lottery risk. If you're currently unlicensed in your target state, a cap-exempt employer also gives you time to clear the bar exam before your H-1B start date.

Prepare a specialty occupation documentation packet

USCIS scrutinizes In House Counsel petitions when job duties overlap general business roles. Compile your J.D., bar certificate, and a detailed position description tying each duty to legal expertise to preempt an RFE before your employer files I-129.

Use the 60-day grace period strategically if changing roles

If your H-1B ends with a previous employer, you have 60 days to secure a new sponsored offer. In-house legal roles at companies already filing H-1Bs can often initiate a transfer petition quickly, keeping your status continuous without a gap.

In House Counsel jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.

Find In House Counsel Jobs

In House Counsel H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

Does an In House Counsel role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?

Yes. USCIS treats In House Counsel positions as specialty occupations because they require a minimum of a J.D. and, for U.S. practice, active bar admission in at least one state. The role must tie each core duty to legal expertise. Generalist business or administrative duties listed alongside legal work can complicate the petition, so the job description needs to be tightly scoped.

Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for In House Counsel positions?

Large corporations in technology, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing are the most consistent sponsors because they maintain permanent legal departments with recurring H-1B filing history. Nonprofits and universities are also strong options since they're cap-exempt and can hire outside the annual lottery. You can browse employers with verified H-1B filing history in legal roles on Migrate Mate.

Do I need a U.S. bar admission to get H-1B sponsorship as In House Counsel?

For roles involving direct legal advice under U.S. law, active bar admission in at least one U.S. state is effectively required for USCIS approval. Some employers will sponsor the H-1B while you're preparing for the bar, particularly if you're joining as a foreign-qualified attorney in a cross-border or international law capacity where your home jurisdiction's license is the operative credential.

How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement apply to In House Counsel roles?

Your employer must file a Labor Condition Application with DOL certifying your salary meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before submitting the I-129 petition to USCIS. Prevailing wages for attorneys vary significantly by metro area. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check the level your role should be classified at, since misclassification at a lower wage level is a common LCA compliance issue.

Can I transfer my H-1B to a new in-house legal employer if I change jobs?

Yes, H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer as soon as they file a transfer petition, without waiting for approval, as long as your previous H-1B had been approved and you've been in valid status. The new employer files a fresh LCA and I-129. In-house legal roles at companies with existing H-1B programs typically move faster through this process since their HR and legal teams already know the requirements.

See which In House Counsel employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.

Search In House Counsel Jobs