Attorney Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois attorney jobs with visa sponsorship are concentrated in Chicago, one of the country's largest legal markets, with major law firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, and Mayer Brown, alongside corporate legal departments at companies such as Boeing, Caterpillar, and United Airlines regularly hiring foreign-trained lawyers for roles in litigation, corporate law, and compliance.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Number: 416424
Description
BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Attorney
Civilian Office of Police Accountability
Number of Positions: 2 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)
Starting Salary: $90,144
This position is open to current AFSCME BIDDERS AND the PUBLIC. Only current City employees covered under the City’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4, \& 5 are considered BIDDERS and are eligible to bid. Qualified BIDDERS who properly submit a bid application will receive preference over any non-bidders.
BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND
1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”
2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)
3. Select your correct bargaining unit
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION.
This position is with the City’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and provides legal counsel in support of the agency’s mission to conduct fair police misconduct investigations and advises the investigative staff and department management on matters related to the department’s operations, and performs related duties as required.
Under direction of senior management, the Attorney provides legal counsel to investigators regarding all substantive issues that arise from the office’s investigations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Provides advice on legal issues related to investigations including issues concerning local, state, and federal laws, statutes, and contracts.
- Provides legal counsel on topics such as: evidence collection, labor and employment including collective bargaining agreements and the employee’s duty to cooperate, and the interpretation and enforcement of statutes and ordinances.
- Advises the Investigators and Supervising Investigators on strategic and legal investigative matters, including investigative techniques and the strength of evidence obtained.
- Writes and edits summary investigative reports.
- Performs legal research; writes and edits legal memoranda on issues related to investigations.
- Prepares affidavits and other documents for criminal, civil or administrative actions.
- Coordinates with outside law enforcement and prosecutorial entities as appropriate.
- Provides training on legal issues as requested by senior management.
- Assists in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and programs, as required.
- Performs related duties as required.
NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be exhaustive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.
LOCATION
Location: 1615 W. Chicago Ave, 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60622
Days: Monday - Friday
Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (limited after hours availability as required)
Salary: $90,144 (non-negotiable)
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, plus three (3) years of work experience in the legal profession as a licensed attorney.
NOTE: You must include a writing sample (10-15 pages in length) as an attachment to your application. The writing sample must be an original work (either wholly or substantially authored by you) and must reflect legal reasoning, such as a legal memo, motion to court, legal article, or research paper.
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705)
Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:
- Previous substantive work experience, at least one (1) year, in one of the following areas: criminal law, constitutional law, labor law, administrative law, or police oversight.
NOTE: You must provide your valid U.S. driver's license at time of processing.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.
Please note, all positions within the City of Chicago close promptly at 11:59pm C.S.T. Applications for this position will be accepted from April 09, 2026, until 11:59p.m. C.S.T. on April 25, 2026. No exceptions will be made.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
Job Posting: Apr 9, 2026, 12:00:00 AM
Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: Apr 25, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
Salary: $90,144
Pay Basis: Yearly
Job Number: 416424
Description
BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Attorney
Civilian Office of Police Accountability
Number of Positions: 2 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)
Starting Salary: $90,144
This position is open to current AFSCME BIDDERS AND the PUBLIC. Only current City employees covered under the City’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4, \& 5 are considered BIDDERS and are eligible to bid. Qualified BIDDERS who properly submit a bid application will receive preference over any non-bidders.
BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND
1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”
2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)
3. Select your correct bargaining unit
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION.
This position is with the City’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and provides legal counsel in support of the agency’s mission to conduct fair police misconduct investigations and advises the investigative staff and department management on matters related to the department’s operations, and performs related duties as required.
Under direction of senior management, the Attorney provides legal counsel to investigators regarding all substantive issues that arise from the office’s investigations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Provides advice on legal issues related to investigations including issues concerning local, state, and federal laws, statutes, and contracts.
- Provides legal counsel on topics such as: evidence collection, labor and employment including collective bargaining agreements and the employee’s duty to cooperate, and the interpretation and enforcement of statutes and ordinances.
- Advises the Investigators and Supervising Investigators on strategic and legal investigative matters, including investigative techniques and the strength of evidence obtained.
- Writes and edits summary investigative reports.
- Performs legal research; writes and edits legal memoranda on issues related to investigations.
- Prepares affidavits and other documents for criminal, civil or administrative actions.
- Coordinates with outside law enforcement and prosecutorial entities as appropriate.
- Provides training on legal issues as requested by senior management.
- Assists in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and programs, as required.
- Performs related duties as required.
NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be exhaustive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.
LOCATION
Location: 1615 W. Chicago Ave, 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60622
Days: Monday - Friday
Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (limited after hours availability as required)
Salary: $90,144 (non-negotiable)
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, plus three (3) years of work experience in the legal profession as a licensed attorney.
NOTE: You must include a writing sample (10-15 pages in length) as an attachment to your application. The writing sample must be an original work (either wholly or substantially authored by you) and must reflect legal reasoning, such as a legal memo, motion to court, legal article, or research paper.
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705)
Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:
- Previous substantive work experience, at least one (1) year, in one of the following areas: criminal law, constitutional law, labor law, administrative law, or police oversight.
NOTE: You must provide your valid U.S. driver's license at time of processing.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.
Please note, all positions within the City of Chicago close promptly at 11:59pm C.S.T. Applications for this position will be accepted from April 09, 2026, until 11:59p.m. C.S.T. on April 25, 2026. No exceptions will be made.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
Job Posting: Apr 9, 2026, 12:00:00 AM
Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: Apr 25, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
Salary: $90,144
Pay Basis: Yearly
Attorney Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Attorney Jobs in IllinoisAttorney Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for attorneys in Illinois?
Large law firms headquartered in Chicago, including Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Baker McKenzie, have documented histories of sponsoring H-1B visas for attorneys. Corporate legal departments at major Illinois employers such as Abbott Laboratories, Motorola Solutions, and Hyatt also sponsor attorneys, particularly for in-house compliance, contracts, and regulatory roles. Sponsorship is more common at large firms and Fortune 500 legal teams than at smaller practices.
Which visa types are most common for attorney roles in Illinois?
The H-1B is the most commonly used visa for attorneys in Illinois, as legal positions typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring a law degree. Foreign attorneys who have passed a U.S. bar exam are stronger candidates for H-1B sponsorship. The O-1A is an alternative for attorneys with demonstrable recognition in their field. TN status covers Canadian and Mexican lawyers under specific conditions. EB-1 and EB-2 NIW pathways exist for permanent residence but require meeting high evidentiary standards.
Which cities in Illinois have the most attorney sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of attorney visa sponsorship opportunities in Illinois. The city's Loop and River North neighborhoods host the densest concentration of Am Law 100 firms and Fortune 500 legal departments. Springfield has some state government and regulatory law positions, but private-sector sponsorship there is limited. Rockford and other downstate cities have relatively few sponsored attorney openings compared to the Chicago metro area.
How to find attorney visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates and filters attorney jobs in Illinois by visa sponsorship eligibility, saving you from sorting through roles that won't consider foreign nationals. Search by practice area, city, and employer type to find firms and corporate legal teams actively hiring. Because Illinois's legal market is heavily Chicago-centric, filtering by city alongside practice area, such as litigation, M&A, or regulatory compliance, produces the most targeted results.
Are there state-specific considerations for attorneys seeking sponsorship in Illinois?
Foreign attorneys seeking H-1B sponsorship in Illinois generally need to have passed a U.S. bar examination to be competitive for licensed attorney roles. Illinois bar admission requires passing the Illinois bar exam or qualifying for admission on motion. Attorneys with foreign law degrees often pursue an LL.M. from a U.S. law school, with programs at Northwestern Pritzker, University of Chicago, and University of Illinois Chicago serving as common pipelines into Illinois legal hiring and employer networks.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored attorney jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which attorney employers are hiring and sponsoring visas in Illinois right now.
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