OPT Litigation Attorney Jobs
Litigation Attorney jobs on OPT are available at law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. Most roles require a J.D. and bar admission, so confirm your OPT end date aligns with bar exam timelines. STEM OPT extension does not apply to law degrees.
Find OPT Litigation Attorney JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 73+ Litigation Attorney jobs










See all 73+ Litigation Attorney Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Litigation Attorney roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
About us: Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC is a full-service law firm that provides comprehensive legal services and outstanding advocacy, with a strong focus on litigation. Our multidisciplinary team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to delivering high-quality, efficient, and strategic legal solutions. At Rupp Pfalzgraf, you’ll work alongside seasoned litigators in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Who We Need: Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC seeks a talented Litigation Attorney with 1-5 years of experience to join our insurance defense practice, representing a wide range of insurers and insureds across diverse claims, including premises liability, products liability, automobile liability, and construction litigation.
Responsibilities:
- Handle all phases of litigation, including case evaluation, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation.
- Represent clients in court appearances, depositions, and mediations.
- Develop effective litigation strategies and communicate clearly with clients and carriers.
- Draft motions, pleadings, and other legal documents.
- Analyze complex legal and factual issues.
- Independently manage a litigation caseload.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in insurance defense law.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Admitted to the New York State Bar.
- 1-5 years of experience in litigation.
- Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative attitude and willingness to learn from experienced attorneys.
- Proficiency in legal research tools and technology.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- This position is primarily performed in an office setting and involves extended periods of sitting, working at a computer, and communicating via phone and email, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- The role may require occasional standing, walking, and light lifting (e.g., files or office materials up to approximately 10–20 pounds), with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a dynamic work environment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
What We Offer:
- Ability to collaborate with seasoned attorneys in a variety of practice groups and focus areas.
- Professional development opportunities, in-house CLEs, and firm-paid bar association membership dues.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Engaging and inclusive work environment.
- Opportunity to work on diverse and challenging cases.
- Access to cutting-edge legal resources and technology.
Pay: $105,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Litigation: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- NYS Bar License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Rochester, NY 14614 (Required)
Work Location: In person
All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction record, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
See all 73+ OPT Litigation Attorney Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Litigation Attorney Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Litigation Attorney
Target firms with established OPT hiring pipelines
Large law firms and corporate legal departments hire OPT attorneys more consistently than small practices. Look for employers who have sponsored attorneys before, as they understand the H-1B visa process and are less likely to withdraw offers over authorization concerns.
Clarify your bar admission status upfront
Most litigation roles require active bar admission in the relevant state. Address your bar exam status early in conversations with employers so they can assess timeline fit before investing in your candidacy, avoiding mismatched expectations later in the process.
Emphasize your practice area specialization
Litigation covers commercial disputes, employment law, securities, and more. Positioning yourself in a specific practice area makes you a stronger candidate and signals focus. Firms are more willing to sponsor attorneys who fill a defined gap in their existing litigation team.
Understand your OPT timeline relative to H-1B cap deadlines
H-1B registration opens in March each year. If your OPT expires before October 1, you may face a gap. Work backward from your EAD expiration date to determine whether you need an employer to file a cap-gap extension petition in time.
Build relationships through law school alumni networks
Many litigation attorney hires happen through referrals, not open postings. Connecting with alumni at target firms before you need a job creates the kind of relationship that can surface unadvertised roles and ease employer concerns about visa sponsorship logistics.
Be transparent about your authorization on applications
Disclose your OPT status honestly when asked about work authorization. Firms that routinely sponsor attorneys will not be deterred. Those who are deterred would have withdrawn the offer later anyway, making early disclosure a time-saving filter, not a disadvantage.
Litigation Attorney OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Litigation Attorney on OPT?
Yes, you can work as a Litigation Attorney on OPT as long as the role directly relates to your field of study, typically a J.D. from a U.S. law school. Your employment must begin before your OPT authorization expires and remain within the legal field. Clerkships, associate positions, and in-house litigation roles all qualify, provided your EAD is valid for the duration of your employment.
Does a law degree qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
No. J.D. and other law degrees are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, so law graduates are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You have 12 months of standard OPT. Planning your job search and H-1B timeline around that 12-month window is essential, particularly given H-1B lottery timing.
Do law firms typically sponsor H-1B visas for litigation attorneys?
Many large and mid-size law firms do sponsor H-1B visas for litigation attorneys, particularly for associates in high-demand practice areas like commercial litigation, securities enforcement, and employment law. Smaller boutique firms are less consistent. Reviewing a firm's prior H-1B filing history through government disclosure data gives a reliable signal of their sponsorship willingness before you apply.
Where can I find Litigation Attorney jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to find Litigation Attorney jobs that are open to OPT and visa sponsorship candidates. The platform filters for employers with sponsorship history, saving you time that would otherwise go toward researching firms one by one. You can browse by practice area and location to match roles to your specific litigation background.
What happens to my OPT if I fail the bar exam and cannot practice immediately?
You can still work in a legal capacity while awaiting bar results or during a retake period, as long as your employer permits unlicensed work under attorney supervision. However, most litigation attorney roles formally require bar admission. If your OPT is active and you are employed in a qualifying legal role, your status remains valid even if full licensure is pending.