OPT Legal Administrative Assistant Jobs
Legal Administrative Assistant jobs are open to F-1 OPT students with degrees in legal studies, paralegal studies, business administration, or a related field. Your OPT work authorization covers full-time employment at law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies, with STEM OPT extension available if your degree qualifies.
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INTRODUCTION
At Polsinelli, What a Law Firm Should Be is not just our tagline, it is what we live every day. We strive to create an environment where our team members are encouraged to bring their creativity and professional passions into the workplace so that they can thrive. Are you a people person who has a keen eye for detail, thrives in a professional environment and wants to be part of a dynamic team? We have the perfect role for an engaging professional like you!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Polsinelli is seeking a Legal Administrative Assistant/Receptionist in the Firm’s Denver office. This is an in-person position.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS
- Greet arriving visitors and assign visitor badges, if applicable
- Answer inbound telephone calls
- Take telephone messages and transfer calls
- Utilize paging system, if applicable
- Schedule and reserve conference rooms
- Work with couriers to receive and forward deliveries
- Provide telephone coverage when office closes early and for special events
- Maintain and update files, including file openings and conflict checks in InTapp
- Provide assistance to other Legal Administrative Assistants and administrative departments upon request, as time permits
- Attend staff and other administrative related meetings as requested
- Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task (i.e. calendaring, meeting coordination, timesheet entries, travel plans, file openings)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, InTapp, Document Management system (iManage) and other applicable firm system(s), including LegalKey
- Other duties as assigned
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
College degree preferred.
Polsinelli PC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender identity and expression, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Legal Administrative Assistant
Target law firms with established OPT hiring patterns
Large and mid-size law firms regularly hire OPT students for administrative roles. Focus on firms with dedicated HR departments, as they're more familiar with work authorization requirements and less likely to dismiss your application over OPT status.
Clarify your authorization upfront and confidently
When asked about work authorization, state clearly that you have OPT and are authorized to work without employer sponsorship for the duration of your OPT period. Framing it as already authorized removes the sponsorship concern many legal employers have.
Highlight legal software and document management skills
Familiarity with tools like Clio, iManage, or court filing systems signals immediate value to legal employers. These technical skills reduce onboarding time and make you a stronger candidate regardless of your work authorization timeline.
Pursue paralegal certificate programs to strengthen your profile
A paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program signals commitment to the legal field and increases your candidacy for roles that require more than general administrative experience. It also supports future H-1B visa sponsorship conversations with employers.
Apply to corporate legal departments, not just law firms
In-house legal teams at corporations, hospitals, and universities are often more flexible with OPT candidates than private law firms. These employers typically have HR infrastructure experienced in managing work authorization and are open to long-term sponsorship pathways.
Communicate your OPT end date and CPT or STEM extension clearly
Tell employers your exact OPT expiration date and whether you qualify for a 24-month STEM extension. Giving a concrete timeline helps legal employers plan staffing needs and reduces hesitation about investing in onboarding an OPT student.
Legal Administrative Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Legal Administrative Assistants without employer sponsorship?
Yes. OPT authorizes you to work full-time in a role related to your degree without requiring your employer to sponsor a visa. Legal Administrative Assistant positions align with degrees in legal studies, paralegal studies, and business administration. Your employer does not file any petition on your behalf during OPT. Sponsorship only becomes relevant when you need to transition to an H-1B or another long-term visa.
Does a Legal Administrative Assistant role qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you graduated with a qualifying STEM degree, such as information systems or a technology-related legal field, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you may qualify for the extension. Most Legal Administrative Assistant roles are supported by non-STEM degrees like paralegal studies or business, which do not qualify for STEM OPT. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
How do I find Legal Administrative Assistant jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by OPT-friendly employers, so you can browse Legal Administrative Assistant openings without sorting through postings that exclude international students. Searching on a general platform often surfaces roles where work authorization requirements are unclear. Using Migrate Mate saves time and connects you with employers already familiar with OPT.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I lose my Legal Administrative Assistant job?
F-1 OPT students have a 90-day unemployment limit during post-completion OPT. If you lose your position, that clock starts immediately. You must report the job loss to your DSO and begin your job search. If you find a new Legal Administrative Assistant or related role, report it to your DSO to pause the unemployment count. Exceeding 90 days of unemployment violates your F-1 status.
Do Legal Administrative Assistant jobs qualify as work related to my degree for OPT purposes?
Yes, provided your degree is in a relevant field. Legal studies, paralegal studies, pre-law, business administration, and criminal justice degrees typically satisfy the OPT requirement that employment be directly related to your major. Your DSO makes the final determination. If your degree is in an unrelated field, your DSO may advise that the position does not qualify, which could count against your unemployment days.