OPT Paralegal Jobs
Paralegal roles are among the more OPT-friendly positions in the legal field, with many law firms and corporate legal departments willing to sponsor or extend work authorization. Your OPT period gives you 12 months of full-time work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your degree qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsWho We Are
Horizon Media, founded in 1989 by Bill Koenigsberg, is recognized as one of the most innovative marketing and advertising firms. We are headquartered in New York City, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. A leader in driving business solutions for marketers, Horizon is known for its highly personal approach to client service. Renowned for its incredible culture, Horizon is consistently named to all the prestigious annual Best Places to Work lists published by Fortune, AdAge, Crain’s New York Business and Los Angeles Business Journal. Together we are building a place of belonging.
At Horizon, we understand the value that different perspectives can bring to our clients and culture, so we strive for an environment where our employees feel welcomed, safe and empowered. We value YOU and believe that your authentic voice and unique perspective allows us to create a more rewarding culture, and experience, together.
Our simple recipe for success? We hire talented people (thinkers, doers, dreamers, makers), challenge them and give them every opportunity to grow.
Job Summary
The Corporate Paralegal provides administrative, contract, reporting, and project support to the Business & Legal Affairs (“BALA”) department.
Who You Will Report to
This position reports directly to Director, BALA Operations, Business & Legal Affairs.
Breakdown of What You Will Do
- 50% Administrative Tasks/Contract Administration
- 35% Contract Review Tasks
- 15% Reporting and Project Tasks.
What You Will Do
50% Administrative Tasks/Contract Administration:
- Maintain BALA’s contracts database, which includes uploading certain drafts and fully-signed contracts, assisting with uploading backlog, tagging contracts with appropriate data identifiers, ensuring the associated identifiers are updated as needed (e.g., employee departures and team reallocation), communicating with internal teams on contract statuses, and supporting the migration to a new contracts database by identifying the pain points of the current database and overall contract management process.
- Manage contract approval and signature process via contract comparison tools and Docusign.
- Coordinate approval, payment, and record-keeping of BALA invoices for external counsel and state compliance registrations.
- Proofread and send out various legal letters and notices.
35% Contract Review Tasks:
- Lead the non-disclosure agreement process for clients, vendors, RFPs, and prospective acquisitions, including checking BALA’s contract database to confirm whether a pre-existing NDA is in place, and collaborating with teams to establish a process for entering into NDAs where none exists.
- Assist with the review and negotiation of specific client out-of-scope statements of work, amendments, addenda, and certain vendor contracts.
15% Reporting and Project Tasks:
- Maintain and compile monthly non-compete and background check spreadsheets.
- Assist with the compilation of the monthly client contract report.
- Support and facilitate various ad hoc reporting tasks and projects (e.g., process and training related).
- Manage certificate of insurance requests.
Who You Are
- A strong writer and communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
- A confident employee with strong analytical, project management, and leadership skills.
- A dynamic team player that can maintain the professional ability to partner with colleagues at various job levels.
- An independent worker with a strong sense of ownership and time management.
- A problem solver that can develop creative solutions and identify opportunities to streamline processes.
- Rigorous attention to detail with a commitment to follow through and accommodate tight deadlines.
- Can maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive information.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills including Word, Outlook, and Excel.
Experience
At least two years of experience as a paralegal or administrative assistant. Media and/or entertainment experience preferred but not required. Licensed New York notary certificate preferred but not required.
Certificates, Licenses and Registrations
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university is required. Certification through an accredited organization such as the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the National Association of Legal Assistants, or the Association for Legal Professionals is preferred.
Physical Activity and Work Environment
There are no requirements for physical activity and work environment.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
LI-AB1
LI-Hybrid
LI-HMI
Horizon Media is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Salary Range
$60,000.00 - $75,000.00
A successful applicant’s actual base salary may vary based on factors such as individual’s skill sets, experience, training, education, licensure/certifications, and qualifications for the role. As an organization, we take an aptitude and competency-based hiring approach. We provide a competitive total rewards package including a discretionary bonus and a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, company paid holidays and unlimited paid time off (PTO), mental health and wellness resources, pet insurance, childcare resources, identity theft insurance, fertility assistance programs, and fitness reimbursement.
Who We Are
Horizon Media, founded in 1989 by Bill Koenigsberg, is recognized as one of the most innovative marketing and advertising firms. We are headquartered in New York City, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. A leader in driving business solutions for marketers, Horizon is known for its highly personal approach to client service. Renowned for its incredible culture, Horizon is consistently named to all the prestigious annual Best Places to Work lists published by Fortune, AdAge, Crain’s New York Business and Los Angeles Business Journal. Together we are building a place of belonging.
At Horizon, we understand the value that different perspectives can bring to our clients and culture, so we strive for an environment where our employees feel welcomed, safe and empowered. We value YOU and believe that your authentic voice and unique perspective allows us to create a more rewarding culture, and experience, together.
Our simple recipe for success? We hire talented people (thinkers, doers, dreamers, makers), challenge them and give them every opportunity to grow.
Job Summary
The Corporate Paralegal provides administrative, contract, reporting, and project support to the Business & Legal Affairs (“BALA”) department.
Who You Will Report to
This position reports directly to Director, BALA Operations, Business & Legal Affairs.
Breakdown of What You Will Do
- 50% Administrative Tasks/Contract Administration
- 35% Contract Review Tasks
- 15% Reporting and Project Tasks.
What You Will Do
50% Administrative Tasks/Contract Administration:
- Maintain BALA’s contracts database, which includes uploading certain drafts and fully-signed contracts, assisting with uploading backlog, tagging contracts with appropriate data identifiers, ensuring the associated identifiers are updated as needed (e.g., employee departures and team reallocation), communicating with internal teams on contract statuses, and supporting the migration to a new contracts database by identifying the pain points of the current database and overall contract management process.
- Manage contract approval and signature process via contract comparison tools and Docusign.
- Coordinate approval, payment, and record-keeping of BALA invoices for external counsel and state compliance registrations.
- Proofread and send out various legal letters and notices.
35% Contract Review Tasks:
- Lead the non-disclosure agreement process for clients, vendors, RFPs, and prospective acquisitions, including checking BALA’s contract database to confirm whether a pre-existing NDA is in place, and collaborating with teams to establish a process for entering into NDAs where none exists.
- Assist with the review and negotiation of specific client out-of-scope statements of work, amendments, addenda, and certain vendor contracts.
15% Reporting and Project Tasks:
- Maintain and compile monthly non-compete and background check spreadsheets.
- Assist with the compilation of the monthly client contract report.
- Support and facilitate various ad hoc reporting tasks and projects (e.g., process and training related).
- Manage certificate of insurance requests.
Who You Are
- A strong writer and communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
- A confident employee with strong analytical, project management, and leadership skills.
- A dynamic team player that can maintain the professional ability to partner with colleagues at various job levels.
- An independent worker with a strong sense of ownership and time management.
- A problem solver that can develop creative solutions and identify opportunities to streamline processes.
- Rigorous attention to detail with a commitment to follow through and accommodate tight deadlines.
- Can maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive information.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills including Word, Outlook, and Excel.
Experience
At least two years of experience as a paralegal or administrative assistant. Media and/or entertainment experience preferred but not required. Licensed New York notary certificate preferred but not required.
Certificates, Licenses and Registrations
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university is required. Certification through an accredited organization such as the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the National Association of Legal Assistants, or the Association for Legal Professionals is preferred.
Physical Activity and Work Environment
There are no requirements for physical activity and work environment.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
LI-AB1
LI-Hybrid
LI-HMI
Horizon Media is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Salary Range
$60,000.00 - $75,000.00
A successful applicant’s actual base salary may vary based on factors such as individual’s skill sets, experience, training, education, licensure/certifications, and qualifications for the role. As an organization, we take an aptitude and competency-based hiring approach. We provide a competitive total rewards package including a discretionary bonus and a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, company paid holidays and unlimited paid time off (PTO), mental health and wellness resources, pet insurance, childcare resources, identity theft insurance, fertility assistance programs, and fitness reimbursement.
See all 227+ OPT Paralegal Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Paralegal Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Paralegal
Target law firms with established visa programs
Large and midsize law firms often have in-house immigration counsel and routinely sponsor H-1B visas for paralegals. Firms with dedicated immigration or corporate practices are especially accustomed to sponsoring international staff on OPT and beyond.
Clarify your OPT authorization early in conversations
Mention your OPT status and remaining authorization period in your cover letter or early screening calls. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume sponsorship is required immediately, so clarifying your existing work authorization removes the biggest hiring hesitation upfront.
Prioritize corporate legal departments over boutique firms
In-house legal teams at large corporations typically have HR infrastructure and immigration budgets in place. They sponsor OPT extensions and H-1B transitions more consistently than small boutique firms that rarely hire internationally and lack established sponsorship processes.
Align your degree field with your paralegal specialty
OPT must relate to your field of study. A degree in criminal justice, pre-law, or political science maps cleanly to paralegal work. If your degree is in another field, frame your coursework and research experience to demonstrate direct relevance to your legal practice area.
Pursue paralegal certification to strengthen your application
Credentials from the National Association of Legal Assistants or similar bodies signal professional commitment to employers. Certified candidates often advance faster to roles at firms more willing to invest in long-term immigration sponsorship, including H-1B petitions after OPT expires.
Use your OPT timeline as a negotiation asset
If you have a STEM extension available, you offer employers up to three years of work authorization before any H-1B decision is required. Framing this timeline proactively reassures hiring managers and gives the firm ample runway to evaluate you before committing to sponsorship.
Paralegal OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a paralegal on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role directly relates to your field of study. Degrees in criminal justice, political science, pre-law, legal studies, or a related social science field typically satisfy the OPT employment requirement for paralegal positions. If your degree is in an unrelated field, you'll need to demonstrate how your coursework connects to the legal work you'll be performing.
Do law firms commonly sponsor OPT students for paralegal roles?
It varies by firm size and practice area. Large law firms and corporate legal departments with established HR infrastructure sponsor OPT students far more reliably than small boutique firms. Firms with immigration, corporate, or tech practices tend to have the most experience with international hires. Browse paralegal roles that welcome OPT candidates on Migrate Mate to identify which employers actively sponsor.
Does a paralegal role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Only if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field. Most traditional paralegal or legal studies degrees are not STEM-designated. However, if you hold a STEM degree in fields like computer science or data science and are working as a paralegal in a tech-adjacent legal role, such as intellectual property or privacy law, you may be eligible. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B?
If your OPT expires before an H-1B is approved, you'll lose work authorization and must stop working. The H-1B cap-subject lottery opens each April for an October 1 start date, so timing matters significantly. If you're approaching your OPT end date without H-1B approval, discuss a cap-exempt employer, a change of status option, or additional schooling with your immigration advisor as early as possible.
What should I look for in a paralegal job listing to assess OPT sponsorship likelihood?
Look for phrases like "visa sponsorship available," "will sponsor work authorization," or "OPT accepted" in the job description. Listings that state "must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship" are a firm no. Employer size is also a reliable signal: firms with 50 or more employees and active international hiring histories are better bets. Filter specifically for OPT-friendly paralegal roles on Migrate Mate.