OPT Legal Support Specialist Jobs
Legal Support Specialist roles on OPT are common at law firms, corporate legal departments, and government contractors. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT, and paralegal or legal studies backgrounds align well. Your 12-month OPT window (29 months with STEM extension) is enough time to build a sponsorship track record.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Number: 999881
Unit/Department: Law Instruction
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Department Summary:
Drake University Law School sustains a vibrant intellectual culture, and Des Moines has been recognized as one of the top ten Best Places to Live (US News) and Best Places for Business and Careers (Forbes), with a robust and growing economy (Wall Street Journal). The Law School features innovative and nationally recognized programs in constitutional law, agricultural law, legal writing, and practical training.
Job Summary:
DRAKE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL invites applications from entry level and lateral candidates for one tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Law position. We welcome applications from candidates with demonstrated teaching and research interests in Criminal Law/Criminal Procedure, Family Law or Legal Writing.
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a J.D. degree (or the equivalent) and should have a record of academic excellence, substantial academic or practice experience, a passion for teaching, as well as a record or evidence of the potential for accomplishments in scholarship. Appointment rank will be determined commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Confidential review of applications will begin immediately. Applications should include (1) a letter of interest, (2) a complete CV, (3) teaching evaluations (if available), (4) a statement of teaching philosophy, (5) a research agenda, and (6) the names and addresses of at least three references. Applications should be sent directly to Professor Christoph Henkel, Chair, Faculty Appointments Committee, Drake University Law School, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311 or e-mail: christoph.henkel@drake.edu.
Please do not attach additional documents at this time. Supplemental documents may be requested or required of semi-finalists and finalists.
Have Questions?
Questions about this position can be directed to the search chair: Christoph Henkel, Professor, Christoph.henkel@drake.edu
Questions about the application process, working at Drake, spouse/partner support, reasonable accommodations, benefits, or additional information about Drake or Des Moines, Iowa may be directed to Drake Human Resources at jobs@drake.edu.
All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Review of Applications Begins:
The position will remain posted until filled.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts.
Tuition Benefits.
For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
ABOUT DRAKE
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. As reflected in our Core Values, we embrace a diverse and inclusive community.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Drake University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (p: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.
Position Number: 999881
Unit/Department: Law Instruction
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Department Summary:
Drake University Law School sustains a vibrant intellectual culture, and Des Moines has been recognized as one of the top ten Best Places to Live (US News) and Best Places for Business and Careers (Forbes), with a robust and growing economy (Wall Street Journal). The Law School features innovative and nationally recognized programs in constitutional law, agricultural law, legal writing, and practical training.
Job Summary:
DRAKE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL invites applications from entry level and lateral candidates for one tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Law position. We welcome applications from candidates with demonstrated teaching and research interests in Criminal Law/Criminal Procedure, Family Law or Legal Writing.
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a J.D. degree (or the equivalent) and should have a record of academic excellence, substantial academic or practice experience, a passion for teaching, as well as a record or evidence of the potential for accomplishments in scholarship. Appointment rank will be determined commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Confidential review of applications will begin immediately. Applications should include (1) a letter of interest, (2) a complete CV, (3) teaching evaluations (if available), (4) a statement of teaching philosophy, (5) a research agenda, and (6) the names and addresses of at least three references. Applications should be sent directly to Professor Christoph Henkel, Chair, Faculty Appointments Committee, Drake University Law School, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311 or e-mail: christoph.henkel@drake.edu.
Please do not attach additional documents at this time. Supplemental documents may be requested or required of semi-finalists and finalists.
Have Questions?
Questions about this position can be directed to the search chair: Christoph Henkel, Professor, Christoph.henkel@drake.edu
Questions about the application process, working at Drake, spouse/partner support, reasonable accommodations, benefits, or additional information about Drake or Des Moines, Iowa may be directed to Drake Human Resources at jobs@drake.edu.
All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Review of Applications Begins:
The position will remain posted until filled.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts.
Tuition Benefits.
For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
ABOUT DRAKE
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. As reflected in our Core Values, we embrace a diverse and inclusive community.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Drake University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (p: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.
See all 376+ OPT Legal Support Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Legal Support Specialist
Target employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Large law firms and corporate legal departments file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Search USCIS H-1B visa disclosure data to confirm a firm has sponsored legal staff before approaching them. Past behavior is the strongest predictor of future willingness.
Frame your degree as a specialty occupation match
Legal Support Specialist roles require a specific educational background to qualify as a specialty occupation. Make clear in your resume that your legal studies, paralegal certificate, or relevant degree directly supports the work you'll be doing.
Raise sponsorship after demonstrating value
Bring up H-1B sponsorship after your first 90 days, not in the initial interview. Firms are far more likely to invest in the visa process for someone who has already proven their reliability and output on the job.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations
You must report any change in employer, role, or work address to your DSO within 10 days. Legal support roles often involve multiple office locations or secondments, so stay current with SEVIS reporting to avoid jeopardizing your status.
Highlight bar admission support experience
Firms sponsoring foreign legal staff often prioritize those who understand U.S. legal procedures. Experience with court filings, docket management, or discovery support signals you are productive immediately, which strengthens the business case for sponsorship.
Ask about STEM OPT eligibility for your degree
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as information systems used in legal tech, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before accepting a role to maximize your authorization window.
Legal Support Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Legal Support Specialist on F-1 OPT?
Yes, Legal Support Specialist roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. If your degree is in legal studies, paralegal studies, or a closely related field, the role satisfies the USCIS requirement that OPT employment be in a job that requires or is related to your major area of study.
Do law firms typically sponsor OPT students for H-1B visas?
Large law firms and corporate legal departments do sponsor H-1B petitions for legal support staff, though it is less automatic than in tech or engineering. Your strongest leverage is demonstrating that your role meets the specialty occupation standard, meaning it requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Firms that have filed H-1B petitions for legal roles before are the most realistic targets. Migrate Mate filters for employers with verified sponsorship history, which makes identifying those firms faster.
What happens if I lose my Legal Support Specialist job while on OPT?
You have a 90-day unemployment allowance during standard OPT, and an additional 60 days if you are on a STEM OPT extension, for a combined maximum of 150 unemployed days across your full OPT period. Report the job loss to your DSO immediately and begin your search right away. Unemployment days accumulate from day one of OPT, not just from when you lose a job, so every day counts.
Does Legal Support Specialist work qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
Not automatically. STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code, not your job title. If your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as computer and information sciences applied to legal technology, you may qualify. Most traditional legal studies or paralegal degrees are not STEM-designated. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before relying on this extension as part of your visa planning.
How do I find Legal Support Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
The practical challenge is that most job postings do not explicitly state whether they welcome OPT applicants. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Legal Support Specialist roles at employers who have demonstrated willingness to hire and sponsor international candidates. Filtering by visa sponsorship history before applying saves significant time and avoids wasted applications to firms with no track record of supporting work authorization.