H-1B Visa Legal Intern Jobs
Legal Intern roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in law or a directly related field. Law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies all file H-1B petitions for legal interns, though cap-subject filings require employers to register in the annual lottery.
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Get Access To All JobsDepartment: Office of VP and General Counsel
Location: Chicago, IL
Position: Patty Gerstenblith Legal Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law
FLSA Status: Exempt
Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, the Field Museum of Natural History has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.
Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
- Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.
- Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.
The Patty Gerstenblith Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law is a two-year position for early-career attorneys (a one-year term may be considered upon request). The Fellow will gain first-hand experience in the legal questions and practical concerns related to repatriation, acquisitions, provenance, research, and exhibition of scientific specimens and items of cultural heritage, as well as the broad range of other legal concerns facing not-for-profits, providing the Fellow with experiences applicable to counseling museums and other cultural organizations. The Fellowship will provide professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and an opportunity to complete a relevant professional certification.
The Legal Fellow reports to the General Counsel and serves as part of the Museum’s in-house legal team. The Office of General Counsel protects the legal interests of the Museum, providing advice and counsel to senior management and other staff members in all departments of the Museum on a variety of matters, including but not limited to, non-profit governance, collections management practices, labor and employment, compliance, risk management, contracts, intellectual property, charitable contributions, and cultural property.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides legal support and assistance to the Museum Repatriation Center regarding NAGPRA compliance and related legal issues.
- Assists the Collections Center with provenance research and analysis of collections items and potential acquisitions, compliance with cultural property laws and other import/export requirements.
- Assists in identifying legal risks to the Museum and recommends appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
- Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts, transactional agreements, and other legal documents in a variety of areas.
- Works closely with Museum staff to ensure that projects, procedures, contracts, and other documents meet the Museum’s needs and protect the Museum’s interests.
- Assists in designing, drafting, and reviewing Museum policies and procedures; provides guidance on best practices.
- Monitors compliance with applicable laws and regulations and recommends policy and contract changes, as necessary.
- Keeps informed of emerging legal issues which may affect the Museum and provides advice and counsel on such.
- Provides other legal assistance as required.
Education and Experience:
- Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA accredited institution.
- Candidate must be in their first five years of practice.
- Licensed to practice law in Illinois or eligible for and achieve admission or waive in to the Illinois Bar within a reasonable timeframe; must maintain law license for duration of employment.
- Candidates awaiting bar exam results are welcome to apply.
- Experience or demonstrated interest in working with museums, cultural organizations, not-for-profits, or institutions of higher education preferred.
Skills and Competencies:
- Excellent legal, analytical, drafting, and written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate at all levels within the organization.
- Experience in reviewing and drafting a variety of transactional agreements and legal documents.
- Ability to prioritize, meet multiple, concurrent deadlines, and oversee a variety of projects to successful conclusion, working both independently and as part of a group.
- Ability to develop and sustain collaborative, collegial relationships with varied internal clients and external constituencies.
- Sound and practical business judgement and common sense; high standards for integrity.
- Ability and willingness to gain expertise and perform work in unfamiliar areas of the law.
Applications must include the following:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- A personal statement (not to exceed 500 words) describing your interest in art, museum, and cultural heritage law and how this Fellowship will support your career goals
- Three professional or academic references
Supervision Received:
Receives supervision by the General Counsel
Supervision Exercised:
The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities
Work Hours:
35 hours/week
Term:
Two years; a one-year term may be considered upon request.
Hybrid Eligibility:
Eligible
Location:
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Union Representation: This position is union exempt
Pay Range: $65,000 - 80,000/annually
PLEASE READ: When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.
The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.
At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.
Department: Office of VP and General Counsel
Location: Chicago, IL
Position: Patty Gerstenblith Legal Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law
FLSA Status: Exempt
Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, the Field Museum of Natural History has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.
Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
- Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.
- Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.
The Patty Gerstenblith Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law is a two-year position for early-career attorneys (a one-year term may be considered upon request). The Fellow will gain first-hand experience in the legal questions and practical concerns related to repatriation, acquisitions, provenance, research, and exhibition of scientific specimens and items of cultural heritage, as well as the broad range of other legal concerns facing not-for-profits, providing the Fellow with experiences applicable to counseling museums and other cultural organizations. The Fellowship will provide professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and an opportunity to complete a relevant professional certification.
The Legal Fellow reports to the General Counsel and serves as part of the Museum’s in-house legal team. The Office of General Counsel protects the legal interests of the Museum, providing advice and counsel to senior management and other staff members in all departments of the Museum on a variety of matters, including but not limited to, non-profit governance, collections management practices, labor and employment, compliance, risk management, contracts, intellectual property, charitable contributions, and cultural property.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides legal support and assistance to the Museum Repatriation Center regarding NAGPRA compliance and related legal issues.
- Assists the Collections Center with provenance research and analysis of collections items and potential acquisitions, compliance with cultural property laws and other import/export requirements.
- Assists in identifying legal risks to the Museum and recommends appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
- Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts, transactional agreements, and other legal documents in a variety of areas.
- Works closely with Museum staff to ensure that projects, procedures, contracts, and other documents meet the Museum’s needs and protect the Museum’s interests.
- Assists in designing, drafting, and reviewing Museum policies and procedures; provides guidance on best practices.
- Monitors compliance with applicable laws and regulations and recommends policy and contract changes, as necessary.
- Keeps informed of emerging legal issues which may affect the Museum and provides advice and counsel on such.
- Provides other legal assistance as required.
Education and Experience:
- Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA accredited institution.
- Candidate must be in their first five years of practice.
- Licensed to practice law in Illinois or eligible for and achieve admission or waive in to the Illinois Bar within a reasonable timeframe; must maintain law license for duration of employment.
- Candidates awaiting bar exam results are welcome to apply.
- Experience or demonstrated interest in working with museums, cultural organizations, not-for-profits, or institutions of higher education preferred.
Skills and Competencies:
- Excellent legal, analytical, drafting, and written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate at all levels within the organization.
- Experience in reviewing and drafting a variety of transactional agreements and legal documents.
- Ability to prioritize, meet multiple, concurrent deadlines, and oversee a variety of projects to successful conclusion, working both independently and as part of a group.
- Ability to develop and sustain collaborative, collegial relationships with varied internal clients and external constituencies.
- Sound and practical business judgement and common sense; high standards for integrity.
- Ability and willingness to gain expertise and perform work in unfamiliar areas of the law.
Applications must include the following:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- A personal statement (not to exceed 500 words) describing your interest in art, museum, and cultural heritage law and how this Fellowship will support your career goals
- Three professional or academic references
Supervision Received:
Receives supervision by the General Counsel
Supervision Exercised:
The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities
Work Hours:
35 hours/week
Term:
Two years; a one-year term may be considered upon request.
Hybrid Eligibility:
Eligible
Location:
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Union Representation: This position is union exempt
Pay Range: $65,000 - 80,000/annually
PLEASE READ: When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.
The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.
At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.
See all 704+ H-1B Visa Legal Intern Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Legal Intern Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Legal Intern
Verify your JD program meets requirements
H-1B eligibility for legal interns hinges on specialty occupation status. Confirm your law school program confers a U.S. JD or foreign equivalent recognized by USCIS, since paralegal or pre-law credentials alone won't satisfy the degree requirement.
Target cap-exempt employers first
Nonprofits affiliated with universities, government research organizations, and qualifying higher-education institutions are cap-exempt. They can file H-1B petitions year-round without the lottery, giving legal interns a direct path to sponsorship outside the April registration window.
Search H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate
Filter employers by past H-1B LCA filings for legal roles using Migrate Mate. Seeing which law firms and corporate legal departments have filed for this occupation tells you where sponsorship is already established practice, not a one-off exception.
Request the LCA before signing your offer
Ask your prospective employer to share the certified Labor Condition Application before you accept. The LCA confirms the prevailing wage level and work location, and any discrepancy between the LCA and your offer letter creates compliance problems after filing.
Check prevailing wage using OFLC Wage Search
Look up the DOL prevailing wage for your specific occupation code and work location using OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Legal intern roles are classified under distinct SOC codes, and your offered salary must meet or exceed the certified wage level.
File I-129 well before your start date
USCIS allows H-1B petitions to be filed up to six months before the employment start date. For legal internships with a fixed summer or semester start, missing this window means your employer can't begin work authorization in time, even with premium processing.
H-1B Visa Legal Intern: Frequently Asked Questions
Do legal intern positions qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Legal intern roles qualify when the employer requires a JD or equivalent law degree as a minimum for the position. If the job description accepts any bachelor's degree regardless of field, USCIS may reject the specialty occupation claim. The key is that the legal work itself must theoretically and practically require specialized legal education, not just professional experience.
Can a law firm sponsor an H-1B for a summer associate or intern?
Yes, law firms can sponsor H-1B petitions for summer associates and legal interns, provided the role meets specialty occupation criteria and the firm commits to paying the DOL prevailing wage for the full period of the LCA. Smaller firms sometimes decline due to the cost and administrative burden, so targeting firms with prior H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate narrows your search to employers already set up for sponsorship.
What happens to my H-1B status if my legal internship ends early?
If your employment ends before your H-1B approval period expires, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you can find a new H-1B-sponsoring employer, change status, or prepare to depart. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before the grace period ends. USCIS doesn't automatically notify you when the grace period begins, so track your end date carefully.
Does bar passage affect H-1B eligibility for legal roles?
Bar passage isn't required for H-1B approval, but it matters practically. Some employers won't sponsor an H-1B for a legal intern who hasn't passed the bar because unlicensed attorneys have limited billable roles. If you're pre-bar, targeting positions explicitly structured as intern or law clerk roles, rather than associate attorney roles, improves both fit and petition defensibility with USCIS.
How do I find legal intern jobs where employers actively sponsor H-1B visas?
Search Migrate Mate to find legal intern roles filtered by employers who have filed H-1B Labor Condition Applications for legal occupations. This surfaces firms and corporate legal departments with an established sponsorship track record, so you're not relying on an employer's word that they'll sponsor. Prioritizing employers with consistent filings reduces the risk of a last-minute refusal.