H-1B Visa In House Counsel Jobs
In House Counsel roles qualify as H-1B visa 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.
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Get Access To All JobsJoin Fehr & Peers to provide legal counsel for a team empowered to collaborate, innovate, and develop creative transportation solutions that improve communities. Here, legal is a trusted partner to project managers, not a gatekeeper, and you’ll have real influence on how the work gets done.
We are a transportation planning and engineering firm with 24 offices and more than 400 staff nationwide. Since 1985, we have partnered with public, private, and institutional clients to design and plan safer, more effective ways for people and goods to move. Bringing together data, technology, and the experiences of the communities we serve, we help clients make confident, well-informed decisions.
We are seeking a talented and motivated attorney to join our two-person legal team within our Corporate Services group. Our legal team takes a consultative approach, offering clear advice, thoughtful solutions, and resources that help colleagues make informed decisions.
We value work-life balance. We also value giving staff members opportunities for skill development, growth, and mentorship. We provide competitive benefits, and the flexibility to seamlessly work both in the office and remotely.
Responsibilities
Contract Counsel:
- Review, edit, and negotiate a range of contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, teaming agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts
- Identify key risks in contracts and clearly explain those risks, legal concepts, and alternative approaches so technical staff can make informed business decisions
- Partner with project managers and business services staff to negotiate contracts with clients, teaming partners, and vendors
- Provide guidance on compliance matters, including conflicts of interests, confidentiality, and insurance requirements
- Manage intake and scheduling for contract review requests
Business Compliance and Support:
- Assist with business registrations and licensing in various jurisdictions
- Conduct legal research and make recommendations on a variety of topics relevant to our business
- Build your understanding of our technical services and the legal landscape for A&E firms, so your risk assessments and recommendations stay grounded in how the work actually gets done
Resource Management:
- Maintain and update legal resources such as contract templates, guidance documents, and internal training materials
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
- 3+ years of professional experience as an attorney with substantial experience reviewing and negotiating contracts
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, think critically through complex issues, and adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for explaining legal concepts and contract terms to our non-legal staff
- Strong attention to detail
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong internal relationships
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with a proven ability to independently balance multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines
- A collaborative mindset grounded in humility, strong listening skills, and a supportive approach to working with colleagues
- Curiosity and adaptability in leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to improve workflows, enhance analysis, and support efficient legal service delivery
- Ability to reliably work in the Roseville office at least two days per week. Ability to travel to our Walnut Creek office occasionally (usually 2-4 times per year)
- Full-time and part-time schedules considered
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
- 401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits
- Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave
- 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Mentoring and Career Development programs
- Research and Development group participation, and more
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment in the workplace. We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, and hire without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service or any other characteristic protected by law.
Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Join Fehr & Peers to provide legal counsel for a team empowered to collaborate, innovate, and develop creative transportation solutions that improve communities. Here, legal is a trusted partner to project managers, not a gatekeeper, and you’ll have real influence on how the work gets done.
We are a transportation planning and engineering firm with 24 offices and more than 400 staff nationwide. Since 1985, we have partnered with public, private, and institutional clients to design and plan safer, more effective ways for people and goods to move. Bringing together data, technology, and the experiences of the communities we serve, we help clients make confident, well-informed decisions.
We are seeking a talented and motivated attorney to join our two-person legal team within our Corporate Services group. Our legal team takes a consultative approach, offering clear advice, thoughtful solutions, and resources that help colleagues make informed decisions.
We value work-life balance. We also value giving staff members opportunities for skill development, growth, and mentorship. We provide competitive benefits, and the flexibility to seamlessly work both in the office and remotely.
Responsibilities
Contract Counsel:
- Review, edit, and negotiate a range of contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, teaming agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts
- Identify key risks in contracts and clearly explain those risks, legal concepts, and alternative approaches so technical staff can make informed business decisions
- Partner with project managers and business services staff to negotiate contracts with clients, teaming partners, and vendors
- Provide guidance on compliance matters, including conflicts of interests, confidentiality, and insurance requirements
- Manage intake and scheduling for contract review requests
Business Compliance and Support:
- Assist with business registrations and licensing in various jurisdictions
- Conduct legal research and make recommendations on a variety of topics relevant to our business
- Build your understanding of our technical services and the legal landscape for A&E firms, so your risk assessments and recommendations stay grounded in how the work actually gets done
Resource Management:
- Maintain and update legal resources such as contract templates, guidance documents, and internal training materials
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
- 3+ years of professional experience as an attorney with substantial experience reviewing and negotiating contracts
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, think critically through complex issues, and adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for explaining legal concepts and contract terms to our non-legal staff
- Strong attention to detail
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong internal relationships
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with a proven ability to independently balance multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines
- A collaborative mindset grounded in humility, strong listening skills, and a supportive approach to working with colleagues
- Curiosity and adaptability in leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to improve workflows, enhance analysis, and support efficient legal service delivery
- Ability to reliably work in the Roseville office at least two days per week. Ability to travel to our Walnut Creek office occasionally (usually 2-4 times per year)
- Full-time and part-time schedules considered
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
- 401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits
- Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave
- 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Mentoring and Career Development programs
- Research and Development group participation, and more
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment in the workplace. We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, and hire without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service or any other characteristic protected by law.
Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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Get Access To All JobsTips 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.
H-1B Visa In House Counsel: 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.