OPT Legal Operations Manager Jobs
Legal Operations Manager roles sit at the intersection of law and business process, making them strong OPT fits for students with JD, business, or technology degrees. Most employers classify this as a specialty occupation, supporting H-1B visa sponsorship after OPT. Your 12-month standard period (or 24-month STEM extension if eligible) gives you real runway to prove value before transition.
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The CUNY School of Medicine (SoM) located in the heart of Harlem, New York, is the only medical school in the City University of New York system and the only public medical school in Manhattan. Building upon 50 years of success as the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, the institution transitioned to the CUNY School of Medicine in 2016. The CUNY SoM offers an accelerated BS/MD degree (7-year program) and a Physician Assistant Master’s Degree (27 months program). True to its legacy of access, opportunity, and community transformation, the medical school’s mission remains to recruit highly talented students as diverse as New York City itself. CUNY SoM places a special emphasis on the recruitment of those who are underrepresented in the field of medicine and on training high quality, culturally competent health professionals and scientists equipped to address the healthcare needs of New York’s medically under-served communities. As a major priority, CUNY SoM also seeks to enhance the recruitment and retention of senior leadership, faculty, and staff to more closely reflect the diversity of our student body.
The SoM is currently seeking a Legal Specialist. The successful candidate will provide administrative and legal research support to the Executive General Counsel and Associate Legal Counsel on a wide range of employment law, contractual, policy, compliance, and other labor relations matters. This role will involve assisting in managing legal matters involving the college and its affiliated entities, ensuring all duties align with the guidance provided by the Executive General Counsel.
Reporting to the Chief Campus Counsel and Labor Designee, the Legal Specialist’s duties include but are not limited to the following responsibilities:
- Assists in processing and tracking various legal matters, ensuring compliance with statutory deadlines and providing regular updates to the Executive General Counsel and Associate Legal Counsel. Draft summaries of interviews and prepare documentation related to intakes or reports filed with the office. Ensures all relevant information is accurately recorded and promptly communicated to the Executive General Counsel and Associate Legal Counsel.
- Assists the Executive General Counsel in responding to Freedom of Information Law ("FOIL") requests by analyzing, compiling, and organizing responsive records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal requirements. Ensure that FOIL responses are appropriately identified, redacted, disclosed in a timely manner, and do not violate any applicable statutes, confidentiality laws or restrictions; Save responsive records in an online accessible filing system for internal review and external production within the appropriate deadlines for FOIL.
- Assists in preparing arbitrations, litigation, hearings, and other proceedings; Conducts legal research and drafts opinions, reports, and summaries, utilizing such tools as Lexis Nexis Uni, Westlaw, and the internet. Research findings and drafts will be reviewed by the Executive General Counsel or Associate Legal Counsel.
- Maintain the security of highly confidential information per College and University policies and ensure that information is securely handled. Assists with processing contracts, affiliation agreements, litigation records and subpoena files, employee and student disciplinary actions, human rights complaints, and other matters.
- Compile and analyze legal data pertinent to cases; prepare summaries and assist Legal Counsel in the development, refinement, and daily operations of file management systems; Organize and maintain case or matter files and related documentation.
- Research, gather, and compile case data; study provisions and nuances of contracts, collective bargaining agreements, CUNY policies, and laws or regulations; Provide outreach on behalf of the Office of Legal Counsel to faculty staff and students; Conduct initial intake screening of matters related to discrimination, harassment, and sex-based misconduct.
- Manage schedule and calendar for the Executive General Counsel; Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual statistical and narrative reports and provide support with training, investigations, and legal programming.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Campus Counsel & Labor Designee or designee.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- J.D. and five years’ of experience in a law firm or in-house legal department as an officially designated paralegal.
- Experience in conducting investigations
- Knowledge of trauma-informed best practices
- Must have demonstrated ability with a high level of effectiveness in the following:
- Writing, accuracy, and attention to detail
- Interpersonal communication and collaboration
- Personal organization and work habits
- Technology, including legal software (Westlaw, Lexis, Workshare Compare, Clearwell) and administrative tools (Zoom, MS Teams, Microsoft 365).
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously for different stakeholders and meet project deadlines.
- Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively in a diverse and rapid-paced academic medical environment. Strong understanding of the culture of academic medicine and the ability to address faculty concerns.
- Experience working with underrepresented, low-income, and marginalized students working in health-related or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) fields or other health professional pipeline programs is highly desirable.
- Experience with quality curriculum development and assessment principles as they relate to health care disparities to improve the quality of care and health professional decision-making.
- Advanced understanding of the importance of diversity in academic medicine and the impact of educational and healthcare disparities on medicine.
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Supports a college or University unit by providing research and managing documents for legal matters of various kinds.
- Supports a college or University unit in research and managing documents for legal matters of various kinds.
- Performs research and writing activities; prepare opinions, reports and drafts of research activities.
- Develops and drafts legal documents, filings, charges, grievance and disciplinary decisions, and similar items.
- Assists in preparing for litigation or hearings; compiles and analyzes legal data pertinent to cases; prepares summaries.
- Researches, gathers, and compiles case data; studies provisions and nuances of contract, collective bargaining agreements, CUNY policies, and laws or regulations and fulfills requests for information.
- Files and indexes case studies, actions, contracts, decisions, and other legal documents.
- May perform paralegal duties in a specialized unit, such as labor relations, contracts, or student immigration support.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
CUNY TITLE
Higher Education Assistant
FLSA
Non-exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary Range: $82,663 - $98,995
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
(CURRENT CONTRACTUAL SALARY RANGE)
CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases. Once implemented, salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 6.09% with additional increases of 3.25% effective 9/1/2025 and 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.
HOW TO APPLY
Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID: 32368 or Title: Legal Specialist. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.
Applicants must provide a resume and cover letter.
CLOSING DATE
Open until August 22, 2026.
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 32368
Location: CUNY School of Medicine
POSITION DETAILS
The CUNY School of Medicine (SoM) located in the heart of Harlem, New York, is the only medical school in the City University of New York system and the only public medical school in Manhattan. Building upon 50 years of success as the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, the institution transitioned to the CUNY School of Medicine in 2016. The CUNY SoM offers an accelerated BS/MD degree (7-year program) and a Physician Assistant Master’s Degree (27 months program). True to its legacy of access, opportunity, and community transformation, the medical school’s mission remains to recruit highly talented students as diverse as New York City itself. CUNY SoM places a special emphasis on the recruitment of those who are underrepresented in the field of medicine and on training high quality, culturally competent health professionals and scientists equipped to address the healthcare needs of New York’s medically under-served communities. As a major priority, CUNY SoM also seeks to enhance the recruitment and retention of senior leadership, faculty, and staff to more closely reflect the diversity of our student body.
The SoM is currently seeking a Legal Specialist. The successful candidate will provide administrative and legal research support to the Executive General Counsel and Associate Legal Counsel on a wide range of employment law, contractual, policy, compliance, and other labor relations matters. This role will involve assisting in managing legal matters involving the college and its affiliated entities, ensuring all duties align with the guidance provided by the Executive General Counsel.
Reporting to the Chief Campus Counsel and Labor Designee, the Legal Specialist’s duties include but are not limited to the following responsibilities:
- Assists in processing and tracking various legal matters, ensuring compliance with statutory deadlines and providing regular updates to the Executive General Counsel and Associate Legal Counsel. Draft summaries of interviews and prepare documentation related to intakes or reports filed with the office. Ensures all relevant information is accurately recorded and promptly communicated to the Executive General Counsel and Associate Legal Counsel.
- Assists the Executive General Counsel in responding to Freedom of Information Law ("FOIL") requests by analyzing, compiling, and organizing responsive records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal requirements. Ensure that FOIL responses are appropriately identified, redacted, disclosed in a timely manner, and do not violate any applicable statutes, confidentiality laws or restrictions; Save responsive records in an online accessible filing system for internal review and external production within the appropriate deadlines for FOIL.
- Assists in preparing arbitrations, litigation, hearings, and other proceedings; Conducts legal research and drafts opinions, reports, and summaries, utilizing such tools as Lexis Nexis Uni, Westlaw, and the internet. Research findings and drafts will be reviewed by the Executive General Counsel or Associate Legal Counsel.
- Maintain the security of highly confidential information per College and University policies and ensure that information is securely handled. Assists with processing contracts, affiliation agreements, litigation records and subpoena files, employee and student disciplinary actions, human rights complaints, and other matters.
- Compile and analyze legal data pertinent to cases; prepare summaries and assist Legal Counsel in the development, refinement, and daily operations of file management systems; Organize and maintain case or matter files and related documentation.
- Research, gather, and compile case data; study provisions and nuances of contracts, collective bargaining agreements, CUNY policies, and laws or regulations; Provide outreach on behalf of the Office of Legal Counsel to faculty staff and students; Conduct initial intake screening of matters related to discrimination, harassment, and sex-based misconduct.
- Manage schedule and calendar for the Executive General Counsel; Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual statistical and narrative reports and provide support with training, investigations, and legal programming.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Campus Counsel & Labor Designee or designee.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- J.D. and five years’ of experience in a law firm or in-house legal department as an officially designated paralegal.
- Experience in conducting investigations
- Knowledge of trauma-informed best practices
- Must have demonstrated ability with a high level of effectiveness in the following:
- Writing, accuracy, and attention to detail
- Interpersonal communication and collaboration
- Personal organization and work habits
- Technology, including legal software (Westlaw, Lexis, Workshare Compare, Clearwell) and administrative tools (Zoom, MS Teams, Microsoft 365).
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously for different stakeholders and meet project deadlines.
- Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively in a diverse and rapid-paced academic medical environment. Strong understanding of the culture of academic medicine and the ability to address faculty concerns.
- Experience working with underrepresented, low-income, and marginalized students working in health-related or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) fields or other health professional pipeline programs is highly desirable.
- Experience with quality curriculum development and assessment principles as they relate to health care disparities to improve the quality of care and health professional decision-making.
- Advanced understanding of the importance of diversity in academic medicine and the impact of educational and healthcare disparities on medicine.
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Supports a college or University unit by providing research and managing documents for legal matters of various kinds.
- Supports a college or University unit in research and managing documents for legal matters of various kinds.
- Performs research and writing activities; prepare opinions, reports and drafts of research activities.
- Develops and drafts legal documents, filings, charges, grievance and disciplinary decisions, and similar items.
- Assists in preparing for litigation or hearings; compiles and analyzes legal data pertinent to cases; prepares summaries.
- Researches, gathers, and compiles case data; studies provisions and nuances of contract, collective bargaining agreements, CUNY policies, and laws or regulations and fulfills requests for information.
- Files and indexes case studies, actions, contracts, decisions, and other legal documents.
- May perform paralegal duties in a specialized unit, such as labor relations, contracts, or student immigration support.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
CUNY TITLE
Higher Education Assistant
FLSA
Non-exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary Range: $82,663 - $98,995
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
(CURRENT CONTRACTUAL SALARY RANGE)
CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases. Once implemented, salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 6.09% with additional increases of 3.25% effective 9/1/2025 and 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.
HOW TO APPLY
Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID: 32368 or Title: Legal Specialist. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.
Applicants must provide a resume and cover letter.
CLOSING DATE
Open until August 22, 2026.
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 32368
Location: CUNY School of Medicine
See all 641+ OPT Legal Operations Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Legal Operations Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Legal Operations Manager
Target in-house legal departments at large companies
Large corporations with established legal teams are far more likely to have HR infrastructure for visa sponsorship. Focus on Fortune 500 companies and high-growth tech firms where legal operations is a dedicated function, not an afterthought assigned to paralegals.
Frame your degree as a specialty occupation match
Legal Operations Manager roles require a specific educational background, typically in law, business, or information systems. In interviews, connect your degree directly to the role's core functions, contract lifecycle management, legal tech implementation, or compliance process design.
Get your CLOC or IILOM certifications early
The Corporate Legal Operations Consortium and similar professional bodies signal you're serious about the field. Certifications strengthen your H-1B visa specialty occupation argument later by demonstrating the role requires specialized knowledge beyond a general business degree.
Track your OPT end date against H-1B lottery timelines
H-1B registration opens in March for October 1 start. If your OPT expires before October, ask your employer about a cap-gap extension. Starting this conversation six months before your OPT end date gives your employer enough time to prepare the petition.
Emphasize legal technology skills in your application
Proficiency in platforms like Ironclad, Clio, or Relativity signals you can add value from day one. Legal ops is increasingly tech-driven, and candidates who reduce the employer's onboarding burden are easier to justify sponsoring through an often costly visa process.
Ask about sponsorship policy before accepting an offer
Some employers sponsor after a probationary period; others require you to be employed before they'll file. Clarifying this during the offer stage, not after you've started, protects your timeline and prevents surprises when your OPT window is closing.
Legal Operations Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Legal Operations Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes, provided the employer can document that the position requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as law, business administration, or information systems. The key is demonstrating the job is complex enough that a general degree in any field won't satisfy it. Roles focused on legal technology implementation, contract management systems, or compliance analytics tend to have the strongest specialty occupation arguments.
Can I work as a Legal Operations Manager on OPT without a law degree?
Yes. Legal operations is distinct from the practice of law, so a JD is not required. Employers routinely hire candidates with degrees in business, information systems, or even computer science for these roles, particularly when the position emphasizes legal technology or process improvement. What matters is that your degree field relates meaningfully to the core job duties your employer will describe in an H-1B petition later.
Where can I find Legal Operations Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters opportunities by sponsorship willingness, so you're not wasting applications on employers who won't consider work authorization. Legal operations roles on Migrate Mate tend to come from in-house legal departments at technology companies, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations, which are among the most active H-1B sponsors in this function.
Does a STEM OPT extension apply to Legal Operations Manager roles?
It depends on your underlying degree. If you graduated from a program classified under a STEM-designated CIP code, such as management information systems or data analytics, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension even in a legal operations role. A degree in political science or traditional business administration typically does not qualify. Check the Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program List and confirm with your DSO before assuming you're eligible.
How early should I start the H-1B sponsorship conversation with a Legal Operations Manager employer?
Start no later than nine months before your OPT authorization expires. H-1B registration opens each March for an October 1 start date, and your employer needs time to engage immigration counsel, complete prevailing wage determinations, and prepare the petition. If your OPT ends between April and September, your employer will also need to understand the cap-gap extension rules, which allow you to keep working while the petition is pending.