OPT Managing Director Jobs
Managing Director roles on OPT are rare but real. Employers sponsoring at this level typically file H-1B visa or O-1A petitions, so your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if eligible) needs to align with a sponsor-ready organization from day one.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Cleary Gottlieb is a pioneer in globalizing the legal profession. We have 14 offices in major financial centers around the world, but we operate as a single, integrated global partnership and not as a U.S. firm with a network of overseas locations. The firm employs approximately 1,100 lawyers from more than 50 countries.
Since 1946 our lawyers and staff have worked across practices, industries, jurisdictions, and continents to provide clients with simple, actionable approaches to their most complex legal and business challenges, whether domestic or international. We support every client relationship with intellectual agility, commercial acumen, and a human touch.
The California Assistant Managing Attorney is a position in the firm’s Bay Area Managing Attorney’s Office (MAO). The MAO supports and assists the firm’s practice groups - primarily the Litigation and Antitrust Group - on court-related matters. The MAO’s primary responsibilities include monitoring litigation relevant to the firm’s practice groups and clientele, filing and serving all litigation papers, monitoring pending court cases, tracking litigation deadlines, researching and retrieving court documents and public records, providing guidance on court rules and procedures, and assisting with local court admissions. The California Assistant Managing Attorney reports to the Managing Attorneys for the firm’s DC and New York offices and works closely with attorneys and paralegals in the firm’s Litigation and Antitrust Group.
Responsibilities:
- Under the supervision of the DC and New York Office Managing Attorneys, oversee the day-to-day operations of the Bay Area Managing Attorney’s Office and supervises the Senior Assistant Managing Clerk
- Oversee the firm’s docketing/calendaring system for court proceedings originating from the Bay Area offices
- Coordinate and supervise the filing and service of litigation documents
- Provide attorneys with advice and guidance on federal, state, and local court procedural rules and practices
- Review draft litigation documents to ensure compliance with rules
- Keep abreast of changes and developments procedural rules and local court practices
- Research court dockets and public records as requested
- Act as a liaison with court personnel
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Juris doctorate degree
- Admission to the bar of the State of California; admission to local federal courts is preferable but not required
- At least 3 years-experience as a practicing attorney, with a focus on litigation, or at least 5 years-experience in AmLaw 100 Managing Attorney’s or Managing Clerk’s Office or comparable administrative legal position, including some management or supervisory experience
- Prior experience in a local federal or CA state court clerk’s office a plus
- Expertise in local federal and CA state procedural rules and court practices
- Expertise in PACER, ECF, and major California state court ESPs
- Experience with LEXIS CourtLink, Bloomberg Law and/or similar vendors
COMPENSATION
- The estimated base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $230,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of job-related factors, including skills, education, training, credentials, experience, scope and complexity of role responsibilities, geographic location, and performance. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.
Cleary provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits. More information can be found here: Benefits
We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination based on any category protected by law. Cleary provides reasonable accommodations to enable otherwise qualified employees to perform the essential functions of their position, provided the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship to the Firm.
Click on the following links to view the California Privacy Policy and Notice at Collection for California Residents.
INTRODUCTION
Cleary Gottlieb is a pioneer in globalizing the legal profession. We have 14 offices in major financial centers around the world, but we operate as a single, integrated global partnership and not as a U.S. firm with a network of overseas locations. The firm employs approximately 1,100 lawyers from more than 50 countries.
Since 1946 our lawyers and staff have worked across practices, industries, jurisdictions, and continents to provide clients with simple, actionable approaches to their most complex legal and business challenges, whether domestic or international. We support every client relationship with intellectual agility, commercial acumen, and a human touch.
The California Assistant Managing Attorney is a position in the firm’s Bay Area Managing Attorney’s Office (MAO). The MAO supports and assists the firm’s practice groups - primarily the Litigation and Antitrust Group - on court-related matters. The MAO’s primary responsibilities include monitoring litigation relevant to the firm’s practice groups and clientele, filing and serving all litigation papers, monitoring pending court cases, tracking litigation deadlines, researching and retrieving court documents and public records, providing guidance on court rules and procedures, and assisting with local court admissions. The California Assistant Managing Attorney reports to the Managing Attorneys for the firm’s DC and New York offices and works closely with attorneys and paralegals in the firm’s Litigation and Antitrust Group.
Responsibilities:
- Under the supervision of the DC and New York Office Managing Attorneys, oversee the day-to-day operations of the Bay Area Managing Attorney’s Office and supervises the Senior Assistant Managing Clerk
- Oversee the firm’s docketing/calendaring system for court proceedings originating from the Bay Area offices
- Coordinate and supervise the filing and service of litigation documents
- Provide attorneys with advice and guidance on federal, state, and local court procedural rules and practices
- Review draft litigation documents to ensure compliance with rules
- Keep abreast of changes and developments procedural rules and local court practices
- Research court dockets and public records as requested
- Act as a liaison with court personnel
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Juris doctorate degree
- Admission to the bar of the State of California; admission to local federal courts is preferable but not required
- At least 3 years-experience as a practicing attorney, with a focus on litigation, or at least 5 years-experience in AmLaw 100 Managing Attorney’s or Managing Clerk’s Office or comparable administrative legal position, including some management or supervisory experience
- Prior experience in a local federal or CA state court clerk’s office a plus
- Expertise in local federal and CA state procedural rules and court practices
- Expertise in PACER, ECF, and major California state court ESPs
- Experience with LEXIS CourtLink, Bloomberg Law and/or similar vendors
COMPENSATION
- The estimated base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $230,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of job-related factors, including skills, education, training, credentials, experience, scope and complexity of role responsibilities, geographic location, and performance. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.
Cleary provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits. More information can be found here: Benefits
We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination based on any category protected by law. Cleary provides reasonable accommodations to enable otherwise qualified employees to perform the essential functions of their position, provided the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship to the Firm.
Click on the following links to view the California Privacy Policy and Notice at Collection for California Residents.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Managing Director
Target private equity and portfolio companies
PE-backed companies and their portfolio businesses often hire operators at the Managing Director level and have established legal infrastructure for visa sponsorship. They're more accustomed to the process than founder-led startups with no prior sponsorship history.
Lead with your authorization timeline upfront
At the MD level, hiring timelines are long and deliberate. Disclosing your OPT status and exact expiration date early prevents late-stage surprises and signals that you understand the sponsorship process, which builds confidence with decision-makers.
Frame your role as an O-1A candidate
Managing Directors with demonstrable impact, industry recognition, or revenue ownership often qualify for O-1A status, which has no lottery. If you have awards, press coverage, or significant business results, discuss O-1A viability with an immigration attorney before applying.
Pursue organizations with dedicated legal teams
Large financial services firms, consulting networks, and multinational corporations maintain in-house immigration counsel. These employers process sponsorship routinely and can move faster than companies navigating the H-1B visa process for the first time.
Quantify your P&L and team leadership scope
Employers sponsoring at the MD level need to justify the petition. A resume showing direct revenue ownership, headcount managed, and measurable business outcomes strengthens both your candidacy and any future visa petition filed on your behalf.
Align your STEM OPT extension early if eligible
If your degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM extension, apply well before your initial 12 months expire. That additional runway gives employers two full H-1B lottery cycles to secure your sponsorship, reducing the urgency that often derails senior-level negotiations.
Managing Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as a Managing Director in the United States?
Yes. OPT authorizes F-1 students to work in jobs directly related to their field of study, and Managing Director roles qualify when the position aligns with your degree. The more common challenge is finding employers willing to sponsor at this seniority level, since the role typically requires long-term visa commitments like H-1B or O-1A.
Where can I find Managing Director jobs that offer OPT sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by sponsorship willingness. Searching there gives you a significantly more targeted starting point than general job boards, where sponsorship information is rarely disclosed upfront and you'll spend significant time filtering out non-sponsoring employers at the senior level.
Does a Managing Director role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree, not the job title. If you hold a STEM-designated degree and your Managing Director role involves responsibilities that relate to that field, such as leading a technology, data, or engineering organization, you may qualify. Your Designated School Official must approve the extension, so confirm eligibility before your initial OPT period ends.
What visa options exist for OPT students seeking long-term sponsorship in a Managing Director role?
H-1B is the most common path and requires employer sponsorship through the annual lottery, which has a roughly 25% selection rate. O-1A is a strong alternative for candidates with exceptional ability, documented business impact, or industry recognition, and it has no cap or lottery. Some Managing Directors in multinational firms also qualify for L-1A status when transferring within the same organization.
How should I handle salary negotiations as an OPT student applying for Managing Director positions?
Negotiate based on market benchmarks and your documented impact, not your immigration status. Employers who sponsor at the Managing Director level are making a significant legal and financial commitment, and lowering your compensation expectations to offset that cost typically signals inexperience. Know the prevailing wage requirements associated with H-1B sponsorship, since your offered salary must meet or exceed DOL-determined thresholds for your role and location.