OPT Legal Associate Jobs
Legal Associate roles in the U.S. are open to F-1 OPT students with degrees in law, political science, or a related field. Most positions involve legal research, drafting, and case support under attorney supervision. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to establish yourself, and a STEM extension is not available for this field, so timing your job search matters.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Do you want to help engineer what’s next?
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is a national engineering firm committed to delivering holistic advice for our clients’ most complex challenges. We leverage our collective and diverse experience, technical expertise, and industry knowledge of structures and building enclosures, advanced analysis, performance & code consulting, and applied science & research to deliver unrivaled, comprehensive solutions that drive superior performance. With 800 employees in offices nationwide, SGH’s industry-leading teams constantly seek to advance the meaning of what’s possible.
What makes careers at SGH so special?
The only way to advance is to question and explore. Every member of the SGH team is both a learner and an educator, committed to advancing ourselves, our teams, and our industry. Together we are creating a community that never settles for what is but always seeks what could be.
There are many reasons to love SGH:
- Our Work: Our clients trust us to bring clarity and deliver outstanding solutions for their most complex projects.
- Our People: We are bold thinkers and compassionate teammates, committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
- Our Commitment: We live with integrity and embrace an obligation to give back to our professions and communities.
- Our Contribution: We offer a comprehensive and rich compensation and benefits package with company-paid and voluntary programs to help build healthy lifestyles, strong relationships, and future prosperity.
Work Arrangement: This position is eligible to be in-office, or hybrid, based out of our Waltham, MA office location.
We want someone passionate about providing high quality legal support.
Become a member of our dynamic team dedicated to providing high quality legal support to one of the top engineering firms in the country! We're looking for someone with strong attention to detail, resourcefulness, excellent customer service skills, the ability to handle a variety of competing tasks, and a commitment to teamwork.
What You’ll Do:
- Triage and assign incoming requests to the Legal Department for contract reviews, insurance certificates, and other inquiries. Work closely with both operations and technical staff to obtain all necessary information for an efficient review/response.
- Compare, modify, and summarize incoming contract review requests against previously negotiated contracts with the same clients to promote consistency and accuracy for contract negotiations.
- Assist with contract review negotiations as needed, such as reviewing client response to proposed revisions and ensure incorporation of modifications for final execution.
- Log and track the status of all contracts and other project-related documents reviewed by Legal. Maintain electronic contract files, including emails, executed contracts, and other documents related to the contract reviews.
- Review, analyze, and propose modifications to NDAs, releases, and other short form agreements consistent with SGH policies.
- Prepare standard subconsultant agreements; work with internal stakeholders to finalize.
- Obtain certificates of insurance (COI) from broker per request of internal staff and external clients consistent with contract requirements and SGH guidelines.
- Assist with insurance renewal application, working closely with other operations departments; prepare COI renewal file, dispatching renewed COIs to both internal staff and external clients.
- Contribute to creating, improving, and updating Legal Department processes and forms.
- Manage organizing and executing special projects as assigned.
- Establish and maintain trusted rapports and work closely with technical and operations teams to address legal issues affecting the company's day-to-day business.
- Assist with roll out of new contract review process with new software.
What You’ll Need:
- Bachelor’s or Paralegal Certification plus 2 or more years of applicable experience working in a corporate environment, law firm, and/or the construction industry.
- Positive, proactive, and no-task-too-small-or-big mentality.
- Demonstrated experience working within aggressive timeframes.
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced changing environment.
- Skilled at teamwork as well as the ability to produce individual work product.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organization skills and attention to detail.
Working Conditions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand, and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, mouse, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level.
Benefits Overview:
SGH provides the following benefits to eligible employees:
- Paid Time Off (Vacation time, Sick leave, Holidays)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Profit Sharing and 401(k) plan with a discretionary company contribution
- Health Insurance (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Short and Long-Term Disability (company paid)
- Employee Basic Life and AD&D insurance (company paid)
- Optional Life Insurance
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Fertility, Family Forming, and Hormonal Health benefit
- Employee Assistance Program
- Empathy Bereavement Support
- Pre-tax Commuter Benefit
- AFLAC Accident & Cancer Insurance
- Legal & Identity Theft plans
- Tuition Reimbursement
Compensation:
The below range is a good faith estimate pursuant to applicable equal pay and pay transparency laws. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors including the candidate’s experience, qualifications and work location.
Base salary is a part of SGH’s industry leading Total Compensation package. Our Total Compensation package includes base salary, pay for extra hours worked, an annual discretionary bonus program, generous paid time off, and health and wellness benefits with a special emphasis on substantial SGH contributions to medical insurance premiums and SGH’s Profit Sharing & 401(k) Plan.
This position is eligible for a $3,000 sign-on bonus.
Operations Role:
- $35—$42 USD
SGH is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we value diversity in our workforce. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We consider all qualified applicants and encourage individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply. If the application system is not accessible to you, or you need a reasonable accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email jobs@sgh.com or call 781-907-9000 and ask for Human Resources.
INTRODUCTION
Do you want to help engineer what’s next?
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is a national engineering firm committed to delivering holistic advice for our clients’ most complex challenges. We leverage our collective and diverse experience, technical expertise, and industry knowledge of structures and building enclosures, advanced analysis, performance & code consulting, and applied science & research to deliver unrivaled, comprehensive solutions that drive superior performance. With 800 employees in offices nationwide, SGH’s industry-leading teams constantly seek to advance the meaning of what’s possible.
What makes careers at SGH so special?
The only way to advance is to question and explore. Every member of the SGH team is both a learner and an educator, committed to advancing ourselves, our teams, and our industry. Together we are creating a community that never settles for what is but always seeks what could be.
There are many reasons to love SGH:
- Our Work: Our clients trust us to bring clarity and deliver outstanding solutions for their most complex projects.
- Our People: We are bold thinkers and compassionate teammates, committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
- Our Commitment: We live with integrity and embrace an obligation to give back to our professions and communities.
- Our Contribution: We offer a comprehensive and rich compensation and benefits package with company-paid and voluntary programs to help build healthy lifestyles, strong relationships, and future prosperity.
Work Arrangement: This position is eligible to be in-office, or hybrid, based out of our Waltham, MA office location.
We want someone passionate about providing high quality legal support.
Become a member of our dynamic team dedicated to providing high quality legal support to one of the top engineering firms in the country! We're looking for someone with strong attention to detail, resourcefulness, excellent customer service skills, the ability to handle a variety of competing tasks, and a commitment to teamwork.
What You’ll Do:
- Triage and assign incoming requests to the Legal Department for contract reviews, insurance certificates, and other inquiries. Work closely with both operations and technical staff to obtain all necessary information for an efficient review/response.
- Compare, modify, and summarize incoming contract review requests against previously negotiated contracts with the same clients to promote consistency and accuracy for contract negotiations.
- Assist with contract review negotiations as needed, such as reviewing client response to proposed revisions and ensure incorporation of modifications for final execution.
- Log and track the status of all contracts and other project-related documents reviewed by Legal. Maintain electronic contract files, including emails, executed contracts, and other documents related to the contract reviews.
- Review, analyze, and propose modifications to NDAs, releases, and other short form agreements consistent with SGH policies.
- Prepare standard subconsultant agreements; work with internal stakeholders to finalize.
- Obtain certificates of insurance (COI) from broker per request of internal staff and external clients consistent with contract requirements and SGH guidelines.
- Assist with insurance renewal application, working closely with other operations departments; prepare COI renewal file, dispatching renewed COIs to both internal staff and external clients.
- Contribute to creating, improving, and updating Legal Department processes and forms.
- Manage organizing and executing special projects as assigned.
- Establish and maintain trusted rapports and work closely with technical and operations teams to address legal issues affecting the company's day-to-day business.
- Assist with roll out of new contract review process with new software.
What You’ll Need:
- Bachelor’s or Paralegal Certification plus 2 or more years of applicable experience working in a corporate environment, law firm, and/or the construction industry.
- Positive, proactive, and no-task-too-small-or-big mentality.
- Demonstrated experience working within aggressive timeframes.
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced changing environment.
- Skilled at teamwork as well as the ability to produce individual work product.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organization skills and attention to detail.
Working Conditions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand, and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, mouse, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level.
Benefits Overview:
SGH provides the following benefits to eligible employees:
- Paid Time Off (Vacation time, Sick leave, Holidays)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Profit Sharing and 401(k) plan with a discretionary company contribution
- Health Insurance (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Short and Long-Term Disability (company paid)
- Employee Basic Life and AD&D insurance (company paid)
- Optional Life Insurance
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Fertility, Family Forming, and Hormonal Health benefit
- Employee Assistance Program
- Empathy Bereavement Support
- Pre-tax Commuter Benefit
- AFLAC Accident & Cancer Insurance
- Legal & Identity Theft plans
- Tuition Reimbursement
Compensation:
The below range is a good faith estimate pursuant to applicable equal pay and pay transparency laws. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors including the candidate’s experience, qualifications and work location.
Base salary is a part of SGH’s industry leading Total Compensation package. Our Total Compensation package includes base salary, pay for extra hours worked, an annual discretionary bonus program, generous paid time off, and health and wellness benefits with a special emphasis on substantial SGH contributions to medical insurance premiums and SGH’s Profit Sharing & 401(k) Plan.
This position is eligible for a $3,000 sign-on bonus.
Operations Role:
- $35—$42 USD
SGH is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we value diversity in our workforce. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We consider all qualified applicants and encourage individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply. If the application system is not accessible to you, or you need a reasonable accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email jobs@sgh.com or call 781-907-9000 and ask for Human Resources.
See all 2,206+ OPT Legal Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Legal Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Legal Associate
Target law firms that regularly hire foreign-educated candidates
Boutique immigration, international arbitration, and compliance firms are more accustomed to OPT work authorization than general practice firms. These employers have existing processes for hiring F-1 students and are less likely to be deterred by your status.
Lead with your OPT authorization upfront
State clearly in your cover letter that you hold a valid EAD and are authorized to work immediately. Removing ambiguity about your status early prevents your application from being filtered out by hiring managers unfamiliar with OPT.
Emphasize legal research and writing skills with concrete examples
Legal Associate roles are highly competitive. Highlight specific memos, briefs, or research projects from your coursework or internships. Employers want evidence of practical output, not just familiarity with legal concepts or academic credentials.
Prioritize roles at companies with existing H-1B sponsorship history
If your goal is long-term sponsorship, focus your search on employers who have sponsored H-1B visas before. Past sponsorship behavior is the strongest signal that a firm will support your transition beyond OPT.
Start your search at least three months before OPT begins
Legal hiring timelines are often slow, with multiple interview rounds and background checks. Starting early gives you enough runway to complete a full process and begin employment while your OPT authorization is still valid.
Be prepared to explain your degree equivalency if you studied abroad
If your law degree is from outside the U.S., some employers will ask how it compares to a J.D. or LL.M. Having a credential evaluation report ready and knowing which tasks you are qualified to perform legally in your role avoids confusion.
Legal Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Legal Associates in the U.S.?
Yes. F-1 students authorized for OPT can work as Legal Associates as long as the role is directly related to their field of study, such as law, political science, or a related discipline. You must have a valid Employment Authorization Document before your start date. The role must fall within your authorized OPT period.
Does a Legal Associate role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Legal Associate positions fall under law and policy fields, which are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. This means F-1 students in this role are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. If long-term U.S. work authorization is your goal, you will need an employer willing to sponsor an H-1B or another nonimmigrant visa before your OPT expires.
What visa options exist after OPT ends for Legal Associates?
The most common path is H-1B sponsorship. Legal Associate roles typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field, which satisfies the H-1B standard. Some foreign nationals may also qualify for the O-1A if they have exceptional credentials. A few employers in international law also consider TN visa status for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying categories.
How do I find Legal Associate jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers and lists Legal Associate roles from employers open to candidates on work authorization. Filtering by OPT eligibility saves you from applying to roles at firms that will not consider your status, which is a common frustration when using general job search tools.
Do Legal Associate employers typically understand OPT work authorization?
It varies significantly. Large law firms and corporations with established HR teams usually understand OPT, but smaller boutique firms may not. When you apply, be direct about your authorization type and include your EAD expiration date. Offering to answer any compliance questions your employer may have can reduce friction and signal that you are organized about your status.