OPT Trial Attorney Jobs
Trial Attorney jobs on OPT are available at law firms, public defender offices, and government agencies, but your employer must be authorized to employ you under your OPT work authorization. Most positions require a J.D., bar admission, and active STEM OPT is not available for this role since law is not a STEM field.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB SUMMARY
Located in the nation’s capital, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies, and protects the interests of the District’s residents. This position is located in the Office of the Solicitor General.
The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for the District’s appellate litigation and handles high-profile matters of both local and national importance. The Office practices most frequently before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The Office’s attorneys handle appeals involving a variety of substantive areas including constitutional law, employment law, contracts, torts, tax, criminal law, and administrative law.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is seeking candidates for an Appellate Litigation Fellowship in the Office of the Solicitor General. The fellowship will begin in August/September 2027. A minimum of one year of post-JD experience (which may include clerkships) by the time the fellowship begins is required.
The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for the District’s civil and criminal appellate litigation and handles high-profile matters of both local and national importance. This position will assist with merits briefing as well as the Office’s work on multistate litigation and amicus curiae work in a variety of areas including administrative law, constitutional law, consumer protection, and environmental law. Fellows typically have the opportunity to argue at least one case during the fellowship.
QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate should have the following qualifications:
* J.D. degree and an active bar membership
* At least one year of post-JD experience (which may include clerkships) by the time the fellowship begins
* Exceptional legal research and writing skills
* Strong oral advocacy skills
Appellate clerkship experience is strongly encouraged.
HOW TO APPLY
Online application must be completed in its entirety, along with the following submissions:
1) Cover Letter
2) Résumé
3) Legal Writing Sample
4) A List of Three References
Please upload all of these documents as one combined PDF in the “resume” field of the application. If you experience any issues uploading attachments, please send the required documents to OAGrecruitment@DC.gov. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
The incumbent must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT
Work is generally performed in an office setting. Generally, work is sedentary, some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as case records, briefcases, and exhibits) may be required.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS
Type Of Appointment: Legal Service (LS) – 13-month Term Appointment
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-11
Salary: $83,572 - $97,527; based on qualifications and availability of funds for this position.
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-12
Salary: $100,172; based on qualifications and availability of funds for this position.
Number of Vacancies: Two (2)
Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:45 am-5:15 pm
In-person reporting with limited telework and flexible work schedules available upon eligibility.
Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 1403.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
JOB SUMMARY
Located in the nation’s capital, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies, and protects the interests of the District’s residents. This position is located in the Office of the Solicitor General.
The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for the District’s appellate litigation and handles high-profile matters of both local and national importance. The Office practices most frequently before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The Office’s attorneys handle appeals involving a variety of substantive areas including constitutional law, employment law, contracts, torts, tax, criminal law, and administrative law.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is seeking candidates for an Appellate Litigation Fellowship in the Office of the Solicitor General. The fellowship will begin in August/September 2027. A minimum of one year of post-JD experience (which may include clerkships) by the time the fellowship begins is required.
The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for the District’s civil and criminal appellate litigation and handles high-profile matters of both local and national importance. This position will assist with merits briefing as well as the Office’s work on multistate litigation and amicus curiae work in a variety of areas including administrative law, constitutional law, consumer protection, and environmental law. Fellows typically have the opportunity to argue at least one case during the fellowship.
QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate should have the following qualifications:
* J.D. degree and an active bar membership
* At least one year of post-JD experience (which may include clerkships) by the time the fellowship begins
* Exceptional legal research and writing skills
* Strong oral advocacy skills
Appellate clerkship experience is strongly encouraged.
HOW TO APPLY
Online application must be completed in its entirety, along with the following submissions:
1) Cover Letter
2) Résumé
3) Legal Writing Sample
4) A List of Three References
Please upload all of these documents as one combined PDF in the “resume” field of the application. If you experience any issues uploading attachments, please send the required documents to OAGrecruitment@DC.gov. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
The incumbent must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT
Work is generally performed in an office setting. Generally, work is sedentary, some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as case records, briefcases, and exhibits) may be required.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS
Type Of Appointment: Legal Service (LS) – 13-month Term Appointment
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-11
Salary: $83,572 - $97,527; based on qualifications and availability of funds for this position.
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-12
Salary: $100,172; based on qualifications and availability of funds for this position.
Number of Vacancies: Two (2)
Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:45 am-5:15 pm
In-person reporting with limited telework and flexible work schedules available upon eligibility.
Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 1403.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Trial Attorney
Target employers with a history of visa sponsorship
Large law firms and government legal offices are more likely to have sponsored foreign national attorneys before. Search OFLC disclosure data to verify which employers have filed LCAs for attorney roles in recent years.
Clarify your OPT authorization early in the process
Be upfront with hiring partners that you hold OPT work authorization. Firms that have sponsored attorneys before will recognize the timeline and know what H-1B visa sponsorship requires before your OPT period ends.
Prioritize firms with established immigration practice groups
Law firms with dedicated immigration departments are far more comfortable navigating their own attorneys' visa situations. They understand the H-1B process firsthand and are less likely to be deterred by sponsorship logistics.
Plan around the H-1B cap registration window
H-1B registration opens in March for an October 1 start. If your OPT expires before October, discuss cap-gap protection with your employer early so neither side is caught off guard by the timeline.
Bar admission strengthens your sponsorship case significantly
Employers are more willing to invest in sponsorship when you are already licensed to practice. Passing the bar before your OPT period ends removes a major hiring risk and makes the sponsorship conversation much easier.
Frame your international background as a client-facing asset
Firms serving international clients, multinational corporations, or immigrant communities value attorneys who understand cross-border legal contexts. Positioning your background this way shifts the conversation from visa burden to competitive advantage.
Trial Attorney OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Trial Attorney on OPT?
Yes, as long as your employment is directly related to your field of study. A J.D. graduate working as a Trial Attorney satisfies the OPT requirement because the role is a direct application of your legal education. Your employer does not need to do anything special to hire you under OPT, but you must report the job to your DSO to update your SEVIS record.
Is STEM OPT extension available for Trial Attorney positions?
No. Law is not a STEM-designated field of study, so J.D. graduates are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You have 12 months of standard OPT. Planning for H-1B sponsorship or another visa pathway before your OPT expires is essential, and that conversation with a potential employer should happen before you accept an offer.
Do I need to pass the bar before working as a Trial Attorney on OPT?
It depends on the role and jurisdiction. Many entry-level litigation positions allow law graduates to work as law clerks or under attorney supervision while awaiting bar results. However, to appear in court and conduct trials independently, bar admission is required. Check the specific job posting and your state's unauthorized practice of law rules to confirm what your role permits during the waiting period.
How do I find Trial Attorney jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness, saving you the time of applying to roles where your work authorization is a dealbreaker. Browse Trial Attorney listings on Migrate Mate to find employers who have indicated openness to sponsoring international candidates, including those currently on OPT.
What happens to my Trial Attorney job if my OPT expires before H-1B approval?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue working as a Trial Attorney during the cap-gap period. If your petition is not selected in the lottery or not filed in time, you must stop working until you obtain other valid work authorization.