TN Visa Assistant Counsel Jobs
Assistant Counsel roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under the USMCA's attorney and lawyer category, covering in-house legal advisory work for U.S. employers. Canadian citizens can enter without a cap; Mexican nationals face a separate allocation. Employers file the TN petition, making sponsorship a standard part of the hiring process for qualified legal professionals.
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Job Number: 416449-OBS
Description
The City’s Department of Law is seeking an attorney for the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel III (“ACC”) in its Constitutional & Commercial Litigation Division.
The Constitutional and Commercial Litigation Division represents the City and City officials in a broad range of constitutional and commercial matters in both federal and state courts, specializing in cases raising complex, novel, or high-profile legal issues.
Attorneys in the Division litigate constitutional challenges to the City’s ordinances and policies, such as First Amendment speech and religion challenges to the regulations governing Millennium Park, Second Amendment claims against City gun control measures, Commerce Clause challenges to City business regulations, and due process and equal protection claims against City laws governing the sharing economy. The Division also defends City policies and officials against lawsuits or proceedings brought under federal or state statutes, including cases asserting preemption under federal or state law. These include actions initiated by the federal executive branch or Congress. In addition, attorneys in the Division defend City zoning and land development decisions, such as construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, redevelopment of the Michael Reese Hospital site, and the enactment of affordable housing programs. Commercial matters handled by the Division span many legal and factual areas, including infrastructure, government procurement, and contracts.
Most of the Division’s cases involve working directly with the City departments and officials who devise or implement the policies and ordinances defended by the Division. The Division also routinely provides advice and counseling to City departments and officials concerning policy development. The Assistant Corporation Counsel will work on a broad range of issues under the general supervision of the Division’s Deputy and Chief.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ideal candidates will possess the following:
- At least one (1) year of litigation experience in state or federal court in one or more of the following areas: drafting substantive motions, arguing substantive motions in court, assisting in jury or bench trials, taking or defending depositions, or clerking for a state or federal court judge;
- Superior academic achievement as shown by measures such as grade point average, class rank, honors, or participation in at least one of the following activities in law school: law review, law journal, moot court, or judicial externship or internship;
- Ability to research and analyze complex issues;
- Ability to persuasively articulate factual and legal arguments both in writing and orally;
- Experience negotiating settlements or drafting settlement agreements;
- Ability to take initiative and assume responsibility for assigned tasks;
- Ability to organize and prioritize workflow to meet deadlines;
- Ability to work well with colleagues and supervisors;
- Ability to work well with client department representatives; and
- Commitment to public service.
Qualifications
Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree
Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705), good standing with your state Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission
Mandatory Submission Terms
You must submit an online application by July 1, 2026 including the items listed below:
- Cover letter that (1) includes the position title and job number as noted on the posting; and (2) specifically identifies how you meet the minimum qualifications and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above;
- Resume;
- Law school transcript (official or unofficial);
- One writing sample; and
- Current printout of your attorney registration status from the Illinois ARDC website (or your admitted state bar's equivalent including your state Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings)
NOTE: Please do not upload or send materials other than those specifically requested above.
NOTE: Failure to submit all materials will result in your application not being considered for the position.
Salary: $85,704.00 - $149,556.00 (salary is based on a variety of factors including experience and credentials)
Selection Requirements
This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.
Evaluation
Your initial evaluation will be based on the documents submitted. Applications must be submitted by the individual applicant. No second party applications will be accepted.
NOTE: To be considered for this position you must provide information about your educational background and your work experience. You must include job titles, dates of employment, and specific job duties. (If you are a current City employee, Acting Up cannot be considered.) If you fail to provide this information at the time you submit your application, it will be incomplete, and you will not be considered for this position. There are three ways to provide the information: 1) you may attach a resume; 2) you may paste a resume; or 3) you can complete the online resume fields.
Education & Employment Verification:
Please be advised that if you are selected to be hired, you must provide, upon request adequate information regarding your educational and employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position for which you are applying. If the City of Chicago cannot verify this information, any offer extended to you will be withdrawn and you will not be hired.
Fair Chance Hiring Employer:
The City of Chicago is committed to being a Fair Chance Hiring employer. We value applicants with diverse experiences, including those who have had prior contact with the criminal legal system. Having a criminal history, including prior incarceration, arrest(s), and/or conviction(s) does not automatically disqualify you from employment with the City of Chicago.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment, the City will conduct a background check. The resulting report will be used to conduct an individualized assessment to determine if the nature of any prior conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have been selected. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances.
Residency Requirement:
All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City of Chicago as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to disability or pregnancy in order to participate in the application process, please contact the City of Chicago, Department of Human Resources, at 312-744-4976 or disabilityaccommodations@cityofchicago.org. Please be prepared to provide information in support of your reasonable accommodation request.
THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ANY AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer. To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson
Mayor
Job Posting: Jun 10, 2026, 3:56:40 PM | Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: Jul 1, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
BU: 09 | Salary: $85,704.00 - $149,556.00
Pay Basis: Yearly
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship in Assistant Counsel
Verify your bar admission meets TN requirements
TN visa classification for Assistant Counsel requires a law degree and bar membership from Canada or Mexico. Confirm your credentials satisfy the attorney category before applying, since provincial or state bar equivalency determinations can affect eligibility.
Target in-house legal teams at large employers
Corporate legal departments at publicly traded companies and regulated industries routinely hire Assistant Counsel on TN status. These employers already have HR infrastructure to support TN sponsorship, unlike smaller firms that may be unfamiliar with the process.
Search TN-sponsored legal roles through Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Assistant Counsel openings by TN visa sponsorship availability, so you're not cold-applying to employers who haven't considered sponsoring. It cuts the research stage significantly for Canadian and Mexican legal professionals.
Distinguish your advisory scope in the job offer letter
The offer letter must clearly describe your legal advisory duties, not general business functions. CBP officers review this at the port of entry for Canadian applicants, so vague job descriptions are a common TN denial trigger for Assistant Counsel roles.
Understand the TN renewal timeline for legal roles
TN status is granted in three-year increments with no cap on renewals, so long as employment continues in a qualifying legal role. Start the renewal process at least 90 days before your current status expires to avoid any gap in authorization.
Prepare foreign credential documentation before interviews
If your law degree is from a non-U.S. institution, have a credential evaluation ready before the offer stage. Some U.S. employers and CBP officers request evidence that your foreign legal education meets the TN attorney category standard.
Assistant Counsel TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Assistant Counsel role qualify for TN visa status?
Yes, Assistant Counsel positions qualify under the TN attorney and lawyer occupational category when the role involves providing legal advice and counsel. The job offer must describe substantive legal advisory duties tied to your law degree and bar admission. Roles that blend legal work with general management functions can face additional scrutiny at the port of entry or during USCIS review.
How does TN compare to H-1B for Assistant Counsel positions?
TN has no annual lottery and no cap for Canadian citizens, making it far more predictable than H-1B visa for legal professionals. Canadians can obtain TN status at the port of entry on the day they start. H-1B requires employer sponsorship through a randomized lottery with a March registration window, and demand consistently exceeds the annual cap, meaning selection is not guaranteed.
Where can I find Assistant Counsel jobs that offer TN visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists Assistant Counsel roles filtered by TN visa sponsorship, which lets you focus on employers who have already committed to sponsoring rather than asking companies to consider it mid-process. This is especially useful for Canadian and Mexican legal professionals who need confirmed sponsorship before relocating or accepting an offer.
Can Mexican nationals get TN status for Assistant Counsel roles?
Yes, Mexican nationals qualify for TN status in the attorney category, but the process differs from Canada. Mexicans must apply at a U.S. consulate for a TN visa rather than seeking admission directly at a land border or airport. The consular process adds lead time, so build in several weeks between an accepted offer and your intended start date.
What documents does an employer need to sponsor TN status for an Assistant Counsel hire?
The employer prepares a detailed offer letter describing your legal advisory duties, your law degree requirements, and the duration of employment. You'll provide proof of your law degree and bar admission. For Canadian citizens, this package is presented directly to CBP at the port of entry. USCIS handles TN petitions filed from within the U.S. or for Mexican nationals in certain situations.