Legal OPT Jobs in Florida
F-1 OPT legal jobs in Florida are concentrated in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, where large law firms, corporate legal departments, and international trade practices actively hire OPT candidates. Employers like Greenberg Traurig, Akerman, and Carlton Fields have a history of hiring internationally, particularly for roles in litigation support, compliance, and legal research.
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Position: Associate Attorney - General Liability
Location: Tampa
Position Overview:
Lydecker is seeking an associate attorney. This is a hybrid position, located in our Tampa office. The applicant should be admitted to practice in FL. Under the supervision of a partner, the associate will be handling a variety of cases, including the defense of premises liability, personal injury, and general liability. If you possess a strong work ethic and want to work in our defense litigation practice group in Tampa, FL, this may be the opportunity for you!
Job Requirements:
- This position requires a FL bar license in good standing.
- A minimum of JD from an ABA approved law school. Candidates with pending bar results are welcomed to apply!
- 1-3 years of civil defense litigation experience, preferably in bodily injury, premises liability, products liability, or construction defect litigation.
- Previous experience should include working on up to 25+ cases at once, attending and defending depositions, taking depositions, appearance in court, motion and discovery drafting; mediation and trial experience a plus but not required.
- Computer skills: Has basic knowledge of computer operation, internet software, spreadsheet software and word processing software; the use of Microsoft products is preferred. Has the ability to type and operate office equipment.
- Be self-motivated and a self-starter, work well independently, and possess strong client communication skills.
- Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings when required.
- Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
- Temperament: Ability to work with little supervision; prioritizes and anticipates work needs; works well under occasional periods of pressure and short deadlines.
- Ethics: Keeps client and firm information confidential at all times; understands and implements general rules of ethical behavior applicable to lawyers.
Job Responsibilities:
- Must be willing and able to bill.
- Draft/review and respond to petitions/complaints, motions, and written discovery.
- Attend hearings and meetings with clients when requested.
- Prepare for and attend depositions.
- Assist with preparation for mediations and trials.
What We Offer:
- One-on-one mentorship and training by Partners.
- Salary range depending on depth and years of experience.
- Quarterly bonuses based on your billable hours.
- Annual performance reviews with potential for sizeable increase in salary.
- Hybrid work environment.
- Flexible work hours.
- Medical Insurance – Currently provided by Cigna Healthcare with multiple insurance plans to choose from based on your needs – partially paid for by Firm for the employee; All outpatient mental health services are free of charge with no copays.
- Optional Dental & Vision Insurance.
- Optional Voluntary Life and Disability Insurance.
- Optional Voluntary Accident Insurance.
- Optional Critical Illness Insurance.
- Optional Cancer Insurance.
- Optional Hospitalization Insurance.
- Optional Health Savings Account.
- Optional Flexible Spending Account.
- 401k after one calendar year of employment.
- Paid time off (PTO) to support your overall well-being.
- Collegial work environment.
- Perks including Bagel Fridays, Free Snacks, Cuban Coffee (only in Miami office).
- Social events such as Annual Beach Buzz, Attorney Socials, Corporate Run & Holiday Events.
About Lydecker:
Lydecker is an AV-rated full-service law firm with over 150 attorneys Nationwide! Our firm has earned a strong and positive reputation for its tenacious defense and protection of the best interests of its clients, and for obtaining optimal results. Our long-standing relationships with our clients are grounded in mutual trust and an understanding of each client’s needs and goals.
Vision:
Our vision at Lydecker is to be a trusted partner that redefines excellence in legal services. We envision a future where our innovative approach to client service sets new standards in the legal industry. With a relentless commitment to integrity, collaboration, and excellence, we aspire to be the first choice for clients seeking unparalleled solutions and results. Together, we will shape the future of legal practice, empowering individuals and clients to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Mission Statement:
At Lydecker, our mission is simple: to exceed client expectations with efficient, strategic, and collaborative service. We are dedicated to long-term success for our clients, attorneys, and staff, fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork.
Company Values:
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Excellence: At Lydecker, we are committed to excellence in all that we do. We strive for the highest standards of quality, professionalism, and innovation in delivering legal services. Our dedication to excellence drives us to continually improve, adapt, and exceed expectations.
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Integrity: Integrity is the cornerstone of our relationships, both internally and with our clients. We conduct ourselves with honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior always. Trust is paramount, and we uphold the highest standards of integrity in every interaction, decision, and action we take.
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Collaboration: We believe in the power of collaboration to achieve greater success. At Lydecker, we foster a culture of teamwork, respect, and support among our attorneys and staff. By working together seamlessly, leveraging diverse perspectives, and sharing knowledge, we maximize our collective talents to deliver exceptional results for our clients.
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Care: We take care of our people because we genuinely care about each one of them, and we believe that by fostering a culture of care, we can create a more resilient, supportive, and successful organization for all. We show that we care about our employees through employee well-being, professional growth and development, work-life balance, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.
Why Join Lydecker? We are a growing national litigation firm built on the traditional values of hard work and taking care of our clients.
Diverse and Inclusive Ownership & Administrative Leadership. We take pride in having a significant portion of our attorneys and administrative leadership being a part of diverse groups. Many of our Firm's Shareholders and Administrative Leadership Team self-identify as historically underrepresented groups such as people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and/or LGBTQIA+.
Career Advancement Prospects. We are sprinting toward growth and invite you to sprint alongside us! Experience swift career progression, hands-on litigation learning, and abundant opportunities for professional development with mentoring from more senior attorneys in small, collaborative practice groups.
Flexible Work-Life Integration. We value your need to have a flexible schedule and work from home and hybrid work opportunities. Enjoy work-life balance at our firm.
Extensive Perks. Competitive salaries, quarterly bonus opportunities based on billable hours, paid time off, top-notch medical insurance with no copay for outpatient mental health access, paid parking or commuter benefits, and a robust 401k plan.
Lydecker LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Lydecker is not currently accepting resumes or inquiries from outside recruiters or agencies.
Licenses & Certifications
Required State Bar License
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
OPT Legal Job Roles in Florida
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Search Legal Jobs in FloridaLegal OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
Which legal companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Florida?
Florida-based firms with a track record of international hiring include Greenberg Traurig, Akerman, Carlton Fields, and Holland & Knight, all headquartered or with major offices in Miami or Tampa. Corporate legal departments at large Florida employers in banking, healthcare, and real estate also hire OPT candidates. Sponsorship availability varies by practice group, role, and the employer's familiarity with OPT employment authorization.
Which cities in Florida have the most legal F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Miami is the strongest market for legal OPT roles, driven by its concentration of BigLaw offices, international arbitration practices, and Latin America-focused trade and finance work. Orlando and Tampa offer opportunities in corporate legal departments, healthcare compliance, and regional law firms. Fort Lauderdale also has a smaller but active legal market, particularly in real estate and commercial litigation.
What types of legal roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly align with OPT employment authorization in the legal sector include legal analyst, compliance officer, paralegal, contract specialist, regulatory affairs associate, and legal research associate. Positions requiring a J.D. from a U.S. law school can also qualify if the work directly relates to the candidate's field of study. The key requirement is that the role directly relates to the degree field authorized under OPT.
How do I find legal F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Florida?
Migrate Mate lists legal jobs in Florida that are open to F-1 OPT candidates, filtered by visa type and state, so you can search specifically for legal roles without sorting through positions that don't sponsor. For Florida's legal market, focus on Miami and Tampa listings, and pay attention to job descriptions that reference compliance, legal research, or contract work, since those roles most commonly accommodate OPT authorization.
Are there any Florida-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the legal industry?
Florida's legal market has a strong international dimension, particularly in Miami, where firms handle cross-border transactions, international arbitration, and Latin American business matters. This makes language skills and international academic backgrounds genuinely relevant to employers. However, OPT candidates should confirm their specific degree field aligns with the role before applying, and should be aware that Florida Bar licensure requirements are separate from and do not affect OPT employment authorization for non-practicing legal roles.