Litigation Attorney Jobs for OPT Students
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.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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JOB DETAILS
Mid-Sized Defense Firm | Serious Litigation, Sustainable Pace
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Scott Rundlett
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button and sending us your resume.
Salary: $150,000 - $215,000 per year
A bit about us:
We are a regional litigation firm representing businesses, insurers, and individuals in civil defense matters. Our attorneys handle cases from inception through resolution across a variety of practice areas, with a focus on practical strategy and efficient case management. We emphasize strong courtroom advocacy, clear client communication, and thoughtful risk assessment. Our team structure allows attorneys to take ownership of their matters while collaborating with experienced colleagues when needed.
WHY JOIN US?
Attorneys in our firm gain hands-on litigation experience early and often. You will manage files, take depositions, argue motions, attend court appearances, and work directly with clients. We provide mentorship without micromanagement and encourage professional development through substantive responsibility. Our environment is professional and supportive, with flexibility and a long-term view toward career growth.
ROLE
Litigation Attorney – Civil Defense
Multiple East Coast Locations | Full-Time
We are a growing civil litigation defense firm with offices across the East Coast, and we are expanding several of our regional teams. We are seeking experienced litigators (4+ years) who are comfortable handling insurance defense matters from inception through resolution. Our practice spans a wide range of civil defense work, and attorneys in our offices are not siloed into a single narrow niche. Depending on location, the caseload may include employment defense, construction litigation, transportation/trucking, general liability, product liability, professional liability, and related complex civil matters. We are looking for attorneys who can step into an active litigation role, manage files independently, and contribute to a collaborative team environment.
Responsibilities
- Manage civil litigation defense matters from initial assignment through settlement, dispositive motion, or trial
- Draft and argue motions, pleadings, and legal memoranda
- Conduct depositions, attend hearings, mediations, and court conferences
- Develop case strategy in coordination with partners and clients
- Handle written discovery and prepare clients and witnesses
- Maintain consistent, timely billing and case reporting
Attorneys will have the opportunity to work across multiple categories of civil defense depending on interest and office needs.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 4–10+ years of civil litigation experience, preferably in insurance defense
- Experience in one or more of the following is helpful: employment defense, construction defect, transportation/trucking, general liability, product liability, or professional liability
- Strong motion practice and deposition experience
- Ability to manage files with increasing independence
- Trial preparation experience preferred
- Juris Doctor required
- Must be licensed in the state where you are applying; additional nearby state admissions are a plus
WHY JOIN US
- Multi-office platform with steady growth and expanding client base
- Broad litigation exposure rather than rigid departmental silos
- Direct partner access and meaningful responsibility
- Hybrid work structure (office presence required; some locations offer additional flexibility)
- Clear annual compensation and bonus cycle
- Opportunity to build long-term litigation experience within a stable defense practice
We are looking for attorneys who want hands-on litigation experience, consistent work flow, and room to grow within a structured defense platform. Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button.
Want to learn more about this role and Jobot? Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
INTRODUCTION
Want to learn more about this role and Jobot? Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
JOB DETAILS
Mid-Sized Defense Firm | Serious Litigation, Sustainable Pace
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Scott Rundlett
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button and sending us your resume.
Salary: $150,000 - $215,000 per year
A bit about us:
We are a regional litigation firm representing businesses, insurers, and individuals in civil defense matters. Our attorneys handle cases from inception through resolution across a variety of practice areas, with a focus on practical strategy and efficient case management. We emphasize strong courtroom advocacy, clear client communication, and thoughtful risk assessment. Our team structure allows attorneys to take ownership of their matters while collaborating with experienced colleagues when needed.
WHY JOIN US?
Attorneys in our firm gain hands-on litigation experience early and often. You will manage files, take depositions, argue motions, attend court appearances, and work directly with clients. We provide mentorship without micromanagement and encourage professional development through substantive responsibility. Our environment is professional and supportive, with flexibility and a long-term view toward career growth.
ROLE
Litigation Attorney – Civil Defense
Multiple East Coast Locations | Full-Time
We are a growing civil litigation defense firm with offices across the East Coast, and we are expanding several of our regional teams. We are seeking experienced litigators (4+ years) who are comfortable handling insurance defense matters from inception through resolution. Our practice spans a wide range of civil defense work, and attorneys in our offices are not siloed into a single narrow niche. Depending on location, the caseload may include employment defense, construction litigation, transportation/trucking, general liability, product liability, professional liability, and related complex civil matters. We are looking for attorneys who can step into an active litigation role, manage files independently, and contribute to a collaborative team environment.
Responsibilities
- Manage civil litigation defense matters from initial assignment through settlement, dispositive motion, or trial
- Draft and argue motions, pleadings, and legal memoranda
- Conduct depositions, attend hearings, mediations, and court conferences
- Develop case strategy in coordination with partners and clients
- Handle written discovery and prepare clients and witnesses
- Maintain consistent, timely billing and case reporting
Attorneys will have the opportunity to work across multiple categories of civil defense depending on interest and office needs.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 4–10+ years of civil litigation experience, preferably in insurance defense
- Experience in one or more of the following is helpful: employment defense, construction defect, transportation/trucking, general liability, product liability, or professional liability
- Strong motion practice and deposition experience
- Ability to manage files with increasing independence
- Trial preparation experience preferred
- Juris Doctor required
- Must be licensed in the state where you are applying; additional nearby state admissions are a plus
WHY JOIN US
- Multi-office platform with steady growth and expanding client base
- Broad litigation exposure rather than rigid departmental silos
- Direct partner access and meaningful responsibility
- Hybrid work structure (office presence required; some locations offer additional flexibility)
- Clear annual compensation and bonus cycle
- Opportunity to build long-term litigation experience within a stable defense practice
We are looking for attorneys who want hands-on litigation experience, consistent work flow, and room to grow within a structured defense platform. Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button.
Want to learn more about this role and Jobot? Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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