OPT Corporate Paralegal Jobs
Corporate Paralegal roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with a pre-law background or paralegal certificate. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B visa sponsorship, and law firms and legal departments at corporations regularly hire OPT candidates. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if applicable, gives you real runway to prove your value and secure sponsorship.
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Who We Are
Horizon Media, founded in 1989 by Bill Koenigsberg, is recognized as one of the most innovative marketing and advertising firms. We are headquartered in New York City, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. A leader in driving business solutions for marketers, Horizon is known for its highly personal approach to client service. Renowned for its incredible culture, Horizon is consistently named to all the prestigious annual Best Places to Work lists published by Fortune, AdAge, Crain’s New York Business and Los Angeles Business Journal. Together we are building a place of belonging.
At Horizon, we understand the value that different perspectives can bring to our clients and culture, so we strive for an environment where our employees feel welcomed, safe and empowered. We value YOU and believe that your authentic voice and unique perspective allows us to create a more rewarding culture, and experience, together.
Our simple recipe for success? We hire talented people (thinkers, doers, dreamers, makers), challenge them and give them every opportunity to grow.
Job Summary
The Corporate Paralegal provides administrative, contract, reporting, and project support to the Business & Legal Affairs (“BALA”) department.
Who You Will Report to
This position reports directly to Director, BALA Operations, Business & Legal Affairs.
Breakdown of What You Will Do
- 50% Administrative Tasks/Contract Administration
- 35% Contract Review Tasks
- 15% Reporting and Project Tasks.
What You Will Do
50% Administrative Tasks/Contract Administration:
- Maintain BALA’s contracts database, which includes uploading certain drafts and fully-signed contracts, assisting with uploading backlog, tagging contracts with appropriate data identifiers, ensuring the associated identifiers are updated as needed (e.g., employee departures and team reallocation), communicating with internal teams on contract statuses, and supporting the migration to a new contracts database by identifying the pain points of the current database and overall contract management process.
- Manage contract approval and signature process via contract comparison tools and Docusign.
- Coordinate approval, payment, and record-keeping of BALA invoices for external counsel and state compliance registrations.
- Proofread and send out various legal letters and notices.
35% Contract Review Tasks:
- Lead the non-disclosure agreement process for clients, vendors, RFPs, and prospective acquisitions, including checking BALA’s contract database to confirm whether a pre-existing NDA is in place, and collaborating with teams to establish a process for entering into NDAs where none exists.
- Assist with the review and negotiation of specific client out-of-scope statements of work, amendments, addenda, and certain vendor contracts.
15% Reporting and Project Tasks:
- Maintain and compile monthly non-compete and background check spreadsheets.
- Assist with the compilation of the monthly client contract report.
- Support and facilitate various ad hoc reporting tasks and projects (e.g., process and training related).
- Manage certificate of insurance requests.
Who You Are
- A strong writer and communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
- A confident employee with strong analytical, project management, and leadership skills.
- A dynamic team player that can maintain the professional ability to partner with colleagues at various job levels.
- An independent worker with a strong sense of ownership and time management.
- A problem solver that can develop creative solutions and identify opportunities to streamline processes.
- Rigorous attention to detail with a commitment to follow through and accommodate tight deadlines.
- Can maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive information.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills including Word, Outlook, and Excel.
Experience
At least two years of experience as a paralegal or administrative assistant. Media and/or entertainment experience preferred but not required. Licensed New York notary certificate preferred but not required.
Certificates, Licenses and Registrations
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university is required. Certification through an accredited organization such as the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the National Association of Legal Assistants, or the Association for Legal Professionals is preferred.
Physical Activity and Work Environment
There are no requirements for physical activity and work environment.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
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Horizon Media is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Salary Range
$60,000.00 - $75,000.00
A successful applicant’s actual base salary may vary based on factors such as individual’s skill sets, experience, training, education, licensure/certifications, and qualifications for the role. As an organization, we take an aptitude and competency-based hiring approach. We provide a competitive total rewards package including a discretionary bonus and a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, company paid holidays and unlimited paid time off (PTO), mental health and wellness resources, pet insurance, childcare resources, identity theft insurance, fertility assistance programs, and fitness reimbursement.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Corporate Paralegal
Target corporate legal departments over small firms
Large corporations with in-house legal teams are far more likely to sponsor H-1B visas than small law firms. Their HR infrastructure handles immigration petitions regularly, and they have the resources to cover filing fees and attorney costs.
Clarify your OPT authorization upfront
When applying, state clearly that you have OPT work authorization and your exact end date. Employers need this to plan around your timeline. Hiding it creates friction later and can derail an offer you have already invested time earning.
Highlight your specific practice area expertise
Employers sponsor paralegals who are difficult to replace. Specializing in corporate governance, M&A due diligence, or securities compliance makes you a stronger sponsorship candidate than a generalist with broad but shallow experience across multiple practice areas.
Get your paralegal certificate if you do not have one
A NALA or NFPA paralegal certificate strengthens your H-1B specialty occupation argument significantly. USCIS looks for credentials that establish the role requires specialized knowledge, and a recognized certificate is concrete evidence supporting that determination.
Apply at least six months before your OPT expires
H-1B petitions for October 1 start dates must be filed in April. If your OPT ends before October, you need a cap-gap or an employer willing to file early. Starting your search six months out gives you enough lead time to work through this.
Build your network inside legal professional associations
Paralegal associations hold local chapter events where in-house legal teams actively recruit. Attending these regularly puts you in front of hiring managers at companies that sponsor visas, often before a role is posted publicly anywhere.
Corporate Paralegal OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Corporate Paralegal on OPT?
Yes. Corporate Paralegal roles qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization as long as the position is directly related to your field of study, typically pre-law, legal studies, business, or a related major. You must have a job offer before your OPT start date and ensure your employment is properly reported through your DSO to SEVP.
Do Corporate Paralegal jobs qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Many do, but not all. USCIS requires the role to meet the specialty occupation standard, meaning it normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Paralegals at large law firms and corporate legal departments with defined educational requirements tend to qualify. Roles described as clerical or administrative, where no specific degree is required, are harder to sponsor.
Where can I find Corporate Paralegal jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best place to start. It filters specifically for employers who sponsor international candidates on OPT and H-1B, so you are not spending time applying to roles where sponsorship is off the table. Browse Corporate Paralegal listings on Migrate Mate to find employers who have already indicated they are open to sponsoring work visas.
Does a STEM OPT extension apply to Corporate Paralegal roles?
It depends on your degree. If your undergraduate or graduate degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as a technology-related legal specialty or a qualifying business degree, you may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Most traditional legal studies degrees are not STEM-designated, so confirm your CIP code with your DSO before counting on the extension.
What documents do I need to start a Corporate Paralegal job on OPT?
You will need your EAD card, a valid I-20 with OPT authorization noted, your passport, and your visa stamp. Your employer will also run an I-9 verification on your first day. Make sure your OPT start date on your EAD matches or precedes your first day of work, as starting even one day early is an authorization violation.