H-1B Visa Legal Support Specialist Jobs
Legal Support Specialist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, legal administration, or a related field. Law firms, corporate legal departments, and government contractors regularly file LCAs for these roles. The 85,000-slot annual cap and lottery apply, so timing your job search around the April registration window matters.
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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 730+ H-1B Visa Legal Support Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Legal Support Specialist
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and the Legal Support Specialist role. A paralegal studies or legal administration degree strengthens your petition. A general business degree with no legal coursework creates RFE risk.
Target employers with corporate legal departments
Large corporations with in-house legal teams file LCAs more consistently than small firms and face less scrutiny per petition. Industries like financial services, healthcare, and technology regularly sponsor Legal Support Specialists for document management, contract review, and compliance work.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter for Legal Support Specialist roles on Migrate Mate to see employers with confirmed LCA filing history for this job title. That history signals they understand the H-1B process and have done it before for your exact role type.
Check prevailing wage before evaluating offers
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before accepting an offer. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the applicable level, and underpaid offers will not survive DOL scrutiny.
Ask employers about cap-exempt filing options
Law school clinics, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and certain government contractors may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers. If you're open to those environments, you can file outside the annual lottery window and begin work sooner.
Time your offer negotiation around the registration window
H-1B registration opens in March and requires your employer to be ready with your job details. Start interviewing in January and February so your offer is confirmed before registration closes. A late offer means waiting a full year for the next cycle.
H-1B Visa Legal Support Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Legal Support Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS approves H-1B petitions for Legal Support Specialists when the job description requires at least a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, legal administration, or a closely related field. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field are harder to qualify. Ask employers how they've classified the position on prior LCA filings.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Legal Support Specialists?
Corporate legal departments at large companies, Am Law 200 law firms, legal process outsourcing firms, and government contractors with compliance teams are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for this role. Smaller boutique firms sponsor less frequently because the administrative and legal cost of the petition is harder to absorb. Migrate Mate lets you filter for employers with verified LCA filing history in this job category.
What happens to my H-1B status if my employer is acquired or merges with another firm?
If the new employer is a successor in interest, your H-1B status typically continues without a new petition under the successor-in-interest rule, provided the terms and conditions of your employment stay the same. USCIS evaluates whether the new entity assumed the original employer's obligations. If the role changes materially, a new petition is required. Get written confirmation from your HR or immigration counsel before the merger closes.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Legal Support Specialist employer mid-year?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new employer once they file a new I-129 petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, as long as your prior status was valid and you've been in H-1B status for at least 180 days. The new employer must file the petition and certify a new LCA before your first day. You don't need to wait for the annual lottery.
How does the prevailing wage requirement affect Legal Support Specialist H-1B offers?
DOL requires your employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for your SOC code, job duties, and work location. Legal Support Specialists in high-cost metro areas like New York or San Francisco carry higher wage floors than the same role in smaller markets. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check the applicable level before your offer negotiation. An offer below the certified wage level will fail DOL review.