OPT Attorney Jobs
Attorney roles on OPT are available at law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies, though bar admission requirements vary by state and often require separate licensing steps. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if your law degree qualifies, determines how much time you have to secure H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is responsible for overseeing multi-modal transportation systems, including transit, rail, aviation, and highways. The NMDOT operates through its State Transportation Commission (STC), cabinet secretary, General Office administration, and through six (6) district offices with multiple maintenance patrols and construction project offices located throughout the state.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC), which serves as in-house counsel for the NMDOT, consists of one (1) general counsel, twelve (12) attorney positions, five (5) paralegal positions, and one (1) Business Operations Manager. The OGC has four (4) practice groups; Operations and Finance (construction, contracts and procurement, grant administration), Right-of-Way (real property, eminent domain, billboards), Utilities, Special Projects (modal operations, records, special Projects) and Administration, Employment and Torts (employment law and practice, labor law and practice, administrative operations and policy, tort claims and litigation).
As a valued new employee to NMDOT, you may be eligible to receive three (3) days of administrative leave upon your start date. This is applicable to external hires not within the State of New Mexico Government.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This Attorney position is assigned to the Administration, Employment and Torts (administrative operations, employment and labor, torts) practice group. This practice group includes three (3) Attorney positions which are directly responsible for advising and representing the NMDOT in matters pertaining to employment law, labor law, tort law, and various facets of administrative operations, laws, and policy. The Attorney positions in this unit serve in both primary and secondary roles involved with litigation, complaints, and claims directed against the NMDOT, including in those areas for which the unit is responsible. The Attorney positions also work directly with client representatives in various facets of administrative operations, including, but limited to, business support, executive projects, human resources, inspector general, Information Technology (IT), infrastructure, communications, public records, training and staff development. Each Attorney position in the unit carries a high volume case load and handles a multitude of time-sensitive tasks.
The Attorney position performs legal research and writing, advises administration on matters of law and policy, and provides representation including in areas of civil rights, employment and labor law, torts, public records, administrative operations, human resources, and as otherwise assigned. This position will both assist and act as lead counsel in litigation, determine legal position and strategy, conduct investigations, assess exposure and litigation risk, draft and file legal documents, manage caseloads, interview and prepare witnesses, participate in mediations, keep client administration informed, and regularly coordinate with client representatives, outside counsels, Risk Management Division, and other agencies as the situation warrants. The Attorney is expected to operate competently with minimal supervision, and meet expectations regarding timely and thorough communications, productivity and prioritizing tasks, job knowledge, and providing quality and thorough work product. Additionally, this position is expected to competently utilize the OGC's case management system, word processing, tracking, filing, communications, research, and Internet systems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminals and extensive use of a personal computer, phone and other office equipment: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Extended periods of concentrated sitting and some standing, bending, climbing, reaching may be required. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints with possible exposure to irate clientele. As occasional travel and overnight travel is expected, incumbent must possess a valid and unrestricted New Mexico Driver's License.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Aaron Frankland, (505) 490-2730. Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
BARGAINING UNIT POSITION
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is responsible for overseeing multi-modal transportation systems, including transit, rail, aviation, and highways. The NMDOT operates through its State Transportation Commission (STC), cabinet secretary, General Office administration, and through six (6) district offices with multiple maintenance patrols and construction project offices located throughout the state.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC), which serves as in-house counsel for the NMDOT, consists of one (1) general counsel, twelve (12) attorney positions, five (5) paralegal positions, and one (1) Business Operations Manager. The OGC has four (4) practice groups; Operations and Finance (construction, contracts and procurement, grant administration), Right-of-Way (real property, eminent domain, billboards), Utilities, Special Projects (modal operations, records, special Projects) and Administration, Employment and Torts (employment law and practice, labor law and practice, administrative operations and policy, tort claims and litigation).
As a valued new employee to NMDOT, you may be eligible to receive three (3) days of administrative leave upon your start date. This is applicable to external hires not within the State of New Mexico Government.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This Attorney position is assigned to the Administration, Employment and Torts (administrative operations, employment and labor, torts) practice group. This practice group includes three (3) Attorney positions which are directly responsible for advising and representing the NMDOT in matters pertaining to employment law, labor law, tort law, and various facets of administrative operations, laws, and policy. The Attorney positions in this unit serve in both primary and secondary roles involved with litigation, complaints, and claims directed against the NMDOT, including in those areas for which the unit is responsible. The Attorney positions also work directly with client representatives in various facets of administrative operations, including, but limited to, business support, executive projects, human resources, inspector general, Information Technology (IT), infrastructure, communications, public records, training and staff development. Each Attorney position in the unit carries a high volume case load and handles a multitude of time-sensitive tasks.
The Attorney position performs legal research and writing, advises administration on matters of law and policy, and provides representation including in areas of civil rights, employment and labor law, torts, public records, administrative operations, human resources, and as otherwise assigned. This position will both assist and act as lead counsel in litigation, determine legal position and strategy, conduct investigations, assess exposure and litigation risk, draft and file legal documents, manage caseloads, interview and prepare witnesses, participate in mediations, keep client administration informed, and regularly coordinate with client representatives, outside counsels, Risk Management Division, and other agencies as the situation warrants. The Attorney is expected to operate competently with minimal supervision, and meet expectations regarding timely and thorough communications, productivity and prioritizing tasks, job knowledge, and providing quality and thorough work product. Additionally, this position is expected to competently utilize the OGC's case management system, word processing, tracking, filing, communications, research, and Internet systems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminals and extensive use of a personal computer, phone and other office equipment: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Extended periods of concentrated sitting and some standing, bending, climbing, reaching may be required. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints with possible exposure to irate clientele. As occasional travel and overnight travel is expected, incumbent must possess a valid and unrestricted New Mexico Driver's License.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Aaron Frankland, (505) 490-2730. Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
BARGAINING UNIT POSITION
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Attorney
Target employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Large law firms and corporate legal departments file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Prioritize employers with a documented history of sponsoring foreign national attorneys, since smaller firms often lack the infrastructure to navigate the sponsorship process.
Understand your bar admission timeline
Most attorney roles require bar admission, which takes months after graduation. Plan your OPT start date carefully so your work authorization is active when you're ready to practice, not just when you finish law school.
Consider law school's STEM extension eligibility
Some JD programs with quantitative concentrations, such as technology law or law and data science, may qualify for a STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming you have 36 months of total OPT.
Leverage your foreign law background strategically
Fluency in a foreign legal system is a genuine differentiator for international arbitration, cross-border transactions, and comparative law roles. Frame your dual legal training as an asset, not a gap, in applications and interviews.
Pursue law firm associate programs that have sponsored before
Big Law associate classes at firms like Kirkland, Latham, and Skadden have sponsored OPT attorneys before. Research summer associate and first-year programs at firms with global practices, where sponsorship infrastructure already exists.
Disclose your authorization status early and clearly
Attorney hiring is structured and slow. Disclosing your OPT status early in the process avoids wasted time on both sides and lets employers begin internal H-1B sponsorship approvals before your 12-month window starts running short.
Attorney OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an attorney on OPT without a green card or H-1B?
Yes, F-1 OPT authorizes you to work as an attorney in a role directly related to your law degree. You don't need an H-1B or green card to start. However, you must have valid OPT authorization through USCIS, your employment must be full-time, and you still need to satisfy your state bar's admission requirements independently of your immigration status.
Do law firms typically sponsor H-1B visas for OPT attorneys?
Large law firms, particularly AmLaw 100 firms with international practices, have sponsored H-1B petitions for associates. Smaller regional firms rarely do. Corporate legal departments at multinational companies are also reliable sponsors. The key factor is whether the firm has a dedicated HR or immigration function that can manage the petition process before your OPT expires.
How does bar admission affect my OPT employment authorization?
Bar admission is a state licensing requirement separate from your federal immigration status. OPT authorizes you to work, but your employer and state bar determine whether you can practice law unsupervised. Some states allow foreign-trained attorneys to sit for the bar; others don't. Confirm your state's character and fitness and educational requirements before accepting a role that requires immediate admission.
Where can I find attorney jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Browsing attorney roles on Migrate Mate lets you identify law firms and corporate legal departments that have hired OPT students before, saving you from applying to firms that will screen you out for needing sponsorship.
Does my law degree qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
Most JD programs do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because law is not a STEM-designated field under DHS guidelines. However, dual-degree programs combining law with a STEM field, such as a JD/MS in computer science, may qualify based on the STEM degree's CIP code. Confirm with your Designated School Official before making any timeline assumptions.