OPT Assistant Counsel Jobs
Assistant Counsel roles sit at the intersection of legal practice and corporate compliance, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with a J.D. or law-related degree. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies, gives you meaningful runway to secure employer sponsorship for long-term status.
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The Counsel provides a full range of legal advice and services on litigation, arbitration, and related legal matters and strategy. The Counsel will collaborate internally and with outside counsel on case strategy, discovery, and resolution of disputes. The Counsel will exercise independent judgment and decision-making on litigation issues and related tasks and work under modest supervision. This role requires applying in-depth and broad knowledge of litigation practices, frequently taking full ownership of legal matters, and organizing and managing individual litigation matters from inception through trial.
Use your skills to make an impact
Required Qualifications
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active and licensed membership in a state bar association
- At least 4 years of experience in litigation
- Strong project management and organizational skills across all facets of litigation from inception through trial
- Ability to organize and successfully manage a number of case matters simultaneously
- Strong skills in communicating complex legal issues to various stakeholders
- Ability to mitigate risk by acting as a trusted advisor whose strategic thinking, pragmatic problem-solving, and proactive counsel are sought by clients
- Ability to work independently under general supervision and in team settings
- Experience with large-scale e-discovery
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with provider disputes and healthcare reimbursement disputes
- Experience with alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including arbitration
- Understanding of Medicaid/Medicare laws and regulations
Work at Home Requirements: To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees’ ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees must meet the following criteria: At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is required; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested. In certain roles, the minimum recommended internet speed required by Humana may not be sufficient for business needs. Humana reserves the right to require associates to upgrade their internet service if necessary. Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information.
Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Pay Range
The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.
$138,900 - $191,000 per year
This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.
Description of Benefits
Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, “Humana”) offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.
Application Deadline: 09-25-2026
About us
About Humana: Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action, in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, to employ and to advance in employment individuals with disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.
Become a part of our caring community
The Counsel provides a full range of legal advice and services on litigation, arbitration, and related legal matters and strategy. The Counsel will collaborate internally and with outside counsel on case strategy, discovery, and resolution of disputes. The Counsel will exercise independent judgment and decision-making on litigation issues and related tasks and work under modest supervision. This role requires applying in-depth and broad knowledge of litigation practices, frequently taking full ownership of legal matters, and organizing and managing individual litigation matters from inception through trial.
Use your skills to make an impact
Required Qualifications
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active and licensed membership in a state bar association
- At least 4 years of experience in litigation
- Strong project management and organizational skills across all facets of litigation from inception through trial
- Ability to organize and successfully manage a number of case matters simultaneously
- Strong skills in communicating complex legal issues to various stakeholders
- Ability to mitigate risk by acting as a trusted advisor whose strategic thinking, pragmatic problem-solving, and proactive counsel are sought by clients
- Ability to work independently under general supervision and in team settings
- Experience with large-scale e-discovery
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with provider disputes and healthcare reimbursement disputes
- Experience with alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including arbitration
- Understanding of Medicaid/Medicare laws and regulations
Work at Home Requirements: To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees’ ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees must meet the following criteria: At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is required; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested. In certain roles, the minimum recommended internet speed required by Humana may not be sufficient for business needs. Humana reserves the right to require associates to upgrade their internet service if necessary. Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information.
Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Pay Range
The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.
$138,900 - $191,000 per year
This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.
Description of Benefits
Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, “Humana”) offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.
Application Deadline: 09-25-2026
About us
About Humana: Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action, in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, to employ and to advance in employment individuals with disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.
See all 272+ OPT Assistant Counsel Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Assistant Counsel
Clarify your bar admission status upfront
Many Assistant Counsel roles require bar admission in at least one U.S. state. If you've passed the bar, lead with that credential. If not, target roles explicitly open to J.D. graduates pending admission or focused on compliance rather than litigation.
Apply before your OPT start date
Legal hiring timelines often run eight to twelve weeks from application to offer. Submitting applications two to three months before your OPT authorization begins ensures you can start work without gaps that could complicate your status or an employer's onboarding process.
Understand how OPT gap rules affect legal roles
F-1 OPT students may not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment during their authorization period. Assistant Counsel positions often take longer to fill, so maintaining part-time or contract legal work between applications helps protect your status.
Ask specifically about the employer's H-1B sponsorship history
During interviews, ask whether the legal department has sponsored H-1B or O-1 visas before. Employers with a track record understand the process and timeline, reducing the risk that a sponsorship conversation will stall after you've already joined the team.
Highlight compliance and regulatory experience for STEM adjacency
If your law degree included a concentration in technology, health sciences, or engineering law, emphasize it. Some employers classify compliance-heavy legal roles under STEM-adjacent categories, which can open conversations about STEM OPT extension eligibility with your DSO.
Assistant Counsel OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Assistant Counsel in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students who have completed a J.D. or relevant law-related degree can work as Assistant Counsel under post-completion OPT. Your Employment Authorization Document authorizes full-time employment in your field of study. The role must be directly related to your degree, which legal and compliance positions typically satisfy without issue.
Do Assistant Counsel roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Standard J.D. programs are not classified under a STEM CIP code, so most Assistant Counsel roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on their own. However, if your degree is in a STEM field such as computer science or biomedical engineering and your legal role involves substantial technical compliance work, discuss the specifics with your DSO to assess eligibility.
How do I find Assistant Counsel jobs where employers are open to OPT sponsorship?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers willing to sponsor F-1 OPT students, saving you from applying to roles where sponsorship is a non-starter. Searching there focuses your effort on companies that have already indicated openness to work authorization support, which matters especially in legal hiring where offer-to-start timelines can be tight.
What visa options should I plan for after my OPT period ends as an Assistant Counsel?
The H-1B is the most common path for lawyers moving from OPT to long-term status, but it requires winning the annual lottery, which runs in March for an October 1 start. Some Assistant Counsel roles at qualifying nonprofit or government legal offices may be cap-exempt. The O-1A is another option if you've built a distinguished legal record with publications, awards, or significant cases.
Does bar admission affect my ability to work as Assistant Counsel on OPT?
OPT authorization itself does not require bar admission. However, the role description often does. Many in-house Assistant Counsel positions require admission to practice in at least one state, while others accept J.D. holders pending admission for compliance-focused work. Read each job description carefully and address your bar status directly in your application to avoid late-stage rejections.