OPT Legal Operations Specialist Jobs
Legal Operations Specialist roles sit at the intersection of law and business process, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with legal studies, business, or technology backgrounds. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B visa sponsorship. Your 12-month OPT window, plus a potential 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies, gives you meaningful runway to prove your value.
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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 Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Legal Operations Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Legal Operations Specialist
Target law firms and corporate legal departments directly
In-house legal teams at Fortune 500 companies and AmLaw 100 firms regularly hire Legal Operations Specialists and have established immigration infrastructure. They're far more likely to sponsor OPT and H-1B visa than smaller boutique practices with no prior sponsorship experience.
Lean into your technology and process skills
Legal Operations roles increasingly require proficiency with contract lifecycle management software, e-billing platforms, and legal analytics tools. Candidates who demonstrate hands-on experience with these systems stand out and justify the specialty occupation classification sponsors need.
Clarify your OPT authorization timeline upfront
Before your first interview, know your OPT start date, end date, and whether your degree qualifies for the STEM extension. Being able to answer these questions confidently signals maturity and reduces the perceived hiring risk for sponsorship-hesitant employers.
Frame your EAD card correctly when asked about authorization
When employers ask about work authorization, say you're authorized to work on OPT and are seeking H-1B sponsorship for long-term employment. Avoid vague language. Clarity reduces confusion and keeps the conversation moving toward your qualifications.
Pursue legal operations certifications to strengthen your case
Credentials from the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) or similar organizations signal professional commitment. Certifications also help employers justify the specialty occupation requirement USCIS scrutinizes when approving H-1B petitions for legal operations roles.
Build relationships with legal department hiring managers, not just recruiters
General recruiters often screen out OPT candidates before resumes reach decision-makers. Connecting directly with legal operations directors or General Counsel offices at target companies keeps you in front of people who understand the role's complexity and sponsorship value.
Legal Operations Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Legal Operations Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Legal Operations Specialist positions generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as law, business administration, or information systems. The role's complexity, involving process improvement, legal technology, vendor management, and data analysis, supports the specialty occupation argument. That said, USCIS scrutinizes each petition individually, so the job description needs to reflect genuine complexity rather than general administrative duties.
Can I work as a Legal Operations Specialist on OPT without any additional authorization?
Yes. If your F-1 OPT is approved and your Employment Authorization Document is valid, you can work as a Legal Operations Specialist without any additional filing. The position must be directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as information systems or business analytics, you may also be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months.
Where can I find Legal Operations Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship willingness, so you're not wasting time on roles that won't consider candidates on work authorization. General job boards don't surface this information reliably. Browsing Migrate Mate lets you focus your energy on employers who have sponsored international candidates before and are open to doing so again.
Does my degree field affect my eligibility for Legal Operations Specialist roles on OPT?
Your OPT must be tied to employment directly related to your major. Legal Operations roles typically align with degrees in legal studies, business administration, information systems, or data analytics. If your degree is in an unrelated field, you may have difficulty demonstrating the required connection. For STEM OPT extension eligibility, your degree program must appear on the official DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.
How should I handle the H-1B sponsorship conversation during a Legal Operations job interview?
Raise sponsorship after you've established your qualifications, not at the start of the conversation. When the topic comes up, explain your OPT status clearly, confirm your authorized work period, and note that H-1B sponsorship would be needed for continued employment beyond your OPT window. Emphasize that the employer's legal team or outside counsel handles the process, and that your job is simply to perform well. Confidence and clarity reduce employer hesitation significantly.