OPT In House Counsel Jobs
In-house counsel roles are among the most OPT-friendly legal positions because employers hire directly, skipping law firm recruiting cycles. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your JD program qualifies) gives you time to demonstrate value before H-1B visa sponsorship conversations begin.
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Get Access To All JobsJoin Fehr & Peers to provide legal counsel for a team empowered to collaborate, innovate, and develop creative transportation solutions that improve communities. Here, legal is a trusted partner to project managers, not a gatekeeper, and you’ll have real influence in managing risk while supporting the delivery of meaningful, impactful work.
We are a transportation planning and engineering firm with 24 offices and more than 400 staff nationwide. Since 1985, we have partnered with public, private, and institutional clients to design and plan safer, more effective ways for people and goods to move. Bringing together data, technology, and the experiences of the communities we serve, we help clients make confident, well-informed decisions.
We are seeking a talented and motivated attorney to join our two-person legal team within our Corporate Services group. Our legal team takes a consultative approach, offering clear advice, thoughtful solutions, and resources that help colleagues make informed decisions.
We value work-life balance. We also value giving staff members opportunities for skill development, growth, and mentorship. We provide competitive benefits, and the flexibility to seamlessly work both in the office and remotely.
Responsibilities
Contract Counsel:
- Review, edit, and negotiate a range of contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, teaming agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts
- Identify key risks in contracts and clearly explain those risks, legal concepts, and alternative approaches so technical staff can make informed business decisions
- Partner with project managers and business services staff to negotiate contracts with clients, teaming partners, and vendors
- Provide guidance on compliance matters, including conflicts of interests, confidentiality, and insurance requirements
- Manage intake and scheduling for contract review requests
Business Compliance and Support:
- Assist with business registrations and licensing in various jurisdictions
- Conduct legal research and make recommendations on a variety of topics relevant to our business
- Build your understanding of our technical services and the legal landscape for A&E firms, so your risk assessments and recommendations stay grounded in how the work actually gets done
Resource Management:
- Maintain and update legal resources such as contract templates, guidance documents, and internal training materials
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
- 3+ years of professional experience as an attorney with substantial experience reviewing and negotiating contracts
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, think critically through complex issues, and adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for explaining legal concepts and contract terms to our non-legal staff
- Strong attention to detail
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong internal relationships
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with a proven ability to independently balance multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines
- A collaborative mindset grounded in humility, strong listening skills, and a supportive approach to working with colleagues
- Curiosity and adaptability in leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to improve workflows, enhance analysis, and support efficient legal service delivery
- Ability to reliably work in the Roseville office at least two days per week. Ability to travel to our Walnut Creek office occasionally (usually 2-4 times per year)
- Full-time and part-time schedules considered
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
- 401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits
- Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave
- 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Mentoring and Career Development programs
- Research and Development group participation, and more
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We recruit, hire, develop, and promote employees based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions of our employees and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Join Fehr & Peers to provide legal counsel for a team empowered to collaborate, innovate, and develop creative transportation solutions that improve communities. Here, legal is a trusted partner to project managers, not a gatekeeper, and you’ll have real influence in managing risk while supporting the delivery of meaningful, impactful work.
We are a transportation planning and engineering firm with 24 offices and more than 400 staff nationwide. Since 1985, we have partnered with public, private, and institutional clients to design and plan safer, more effective ways for people and goods to move. Bringing together data, technology, and the experiences of the communities we serve, we help clients make confident, well-informed decisions.
We are seeking a talented and motivated attorney to join our two-person legal team within our Corporate Services group. Our legal team takes a consultative approach, offering clear advice, thoughtful solutions, and resources that help colleagues make informed decisions.
We value work-life balance. We also value giving staff members opportunities for skill development, growth, and mentorship. We provide competitive benefits, and the flexibility to seamlessly work both in the office and remotely.
Responsibilities
Contract Counsel:
- Review, edit, and negotiate a range of contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, teaming agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts
- Identify key risks in contracts and clearly explain those risks, legal concepts, and alternative approaches so technical staff can make informed business decisions
- Partner with project managers and business services staff to negotiate contracts with clients, teaming partners, and vendors
- Provide guidance on compliance matters, including conflicts of interests, confidentiality, and insurance requirements
- Manage intake and scheduling for contract review requests
Business Compliance and Support:
- Assist with business registrations and licensing in various jurisdictions
- Conduct legal research and make recommendations on a variety of topics relevant to our business
- Build your understanding of our technical services and the legal landscape for A&E firms, so your risk assessments and recommendations stay grounded in how the work actually gets done
Resource Management:
- Maintain and update legal resources such as contract templates, guidance documents, and internal training materials
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
- 3+ years of professional experience as an attorney with substantial experience reviewing and negotiating contracts
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, think critically through complex issues, and adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for explaining legal concepts and contract terms to our non-legal staff
- Strong attention to detail
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong internal relationships
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with a proven ability to independently balance multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines
- A collaborative mindset grounded in humility, strong listening skills, and a supportive approach to working with colleagues
- Curiosity and adaptability in leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to improve workflows, enhance analysis, and support efficient legal service delivery
- Ability to reliably work in the Roseville office at least two days per week. Ability to travel to our Walnut Creek office occasionally (usually 2-4 times per year)
- Full-time and part-time schedules considered
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
- 401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits
- Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave
- 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Mentoring and Career Development programs
- Research and Development group participation, and more
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We recruit, hire, develop, and promote employees based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions of our employees and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See all OPT In House Counsel Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in In House Counsel
Target companies with existing immigration infrastructure
Large corporations and Fortune 500 companies already have immigration counsel and established H-1B visa sponsorship processes. Joining a company that has sponsored before removes the educational hurdle of explaining OPT and visa timelines to HR from scratch.
Lead with your bar admission, not your visa status
Hiring managers care most about which states you're admitted to practice and whether you passed the bar on the first attempt. Establish your legal credentials upfront. Visa status becomes a logistics conversation after they want to hire you, not before.
Prioritize practice areas with persistent talent shortages
In-house teams consistently struggle to fill roles in privacy, cybersecurity, employment law, and regulatory compliance. Positioning yourself in a high-demand specialty makes you harder to pass over because of sponsorship concerns and easier to justify retaining long-term.
Clarify your OPT authorization timeline upfront with recruiters
Know your exact OPT start and end dates, your STEM extension eligibility, and your next H-1B lottery window before any recruiter call. Employers respect candidates who present a clear, confident picture of their work authorization rather than vague timelines.
Use contract or secondment roles to get inside target companies
Many in-house legal teams hire contract attorneys through staffing arrangements before converting to full-time. These roles are often more OPT-accessible and let you prove your value directly to decision-makers who control permanent headcount and sponsorship budgets.
Leverage your JD as a differentiator in specialized industries
Tech, pharma, and financial services companies increasingly prefer in-house counsel who deeply understand the business. If your academic or professional background aligns with a specific industry, emphasize that alignment. Industry fluency often outweighs sponsorship friction for the right employer.
In House Counsel OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as in-house counsel on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. A JD from a U.S. law school and employment as a practicing attorney in a corporate legal department satisfies the OPT employment relationship requirement. You must be employed full-time (at least 20 hours per week) and your work must fall within your degree's scope. Solo practice or self-employment is not permitted on standard OPT.
Does a JD qualify for the STEM OPT extension for in-house counsel roles?
Standard JD programs are not STEM-designated, so most law graduates are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. However, if you hold a qualifying STEM degree (such as a BS in computer science) in addition to your JD, you may be able to apply for OPT based on that earlier degree. Confirm your degree's STEM eligibility with your DSO before making plans around a 36-month total OPT window.
Will in-house employers sponsor H-1B visas for OPT attorneys?
Many do, particularly at large corporations with established legal departments. In-house counsel roles qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B standard because they require a law degree and bar admission. Your strongest leverage is demonstrating indispensable value during your OPT period before the H-1B lottery cycle. Companies that have sponsored before are the most reliable targets. You can browse sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate, which filters roles by visa sponsorship history.
What happens to my in-house counsel job if my OPT expires before the H-1B is approved?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you have a timely filed EAD renewal or cap-gap coverage applies, you may continue working during the gap. The cap-gap provision automatically extends OPT status and employment authorization for F-1 students with a pending or approved H-1B petition through September 30 of the relevant fiscal year. Confirm your specific dates with your DSO and your employer's immigration counsel immediately.
Are contract or secondment in-house counsel positions valid for OPT?
Yes, contract and secondment arrangements are valid for OPT as long as you have a bona fide employer-employee relationship. You cannot be fully self-employed or operate as an independent contractor without oversight. A staffing agency placing you at a corporate legal department, where that company directs your daily work, generally satisfies the OPT employment requirement. Document the relationship clearly in case your DSO or USCIS requests verification of your employment situation.