Legal Jobs in Illinois with F-1 CPT Sponsorship
F-1 CPT legal jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, one of the largest legal markets in the country, with major law firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, and Mayer Brown, alongside corporate legal departments and public interest organizations, regularly hosting law students and paralegals through structured CPT-eligible internship programs.
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INTRODUCTION
Cooley is seeking a Legal Support Specialist to join the Business team.
Position Summary:
The Legal Support Specialist (Business) will provide complex and specialized administrative support to assigned attorneys and paralegals. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Position responsibilities:
- Prepare and revise documents to support timekeepers which may include DocuSign, drafts, oral instruction, redlining, and proofreading end product
- Draft pleading and discovery documents (e.g., master captions, shell notices, declarations, proposed orders, and proof of services)
- Create and maintain files, including electronic files in iManage, Outlook, and shared drives
- Arrange for court filings and service of documents (e.g., new complaints and subpoenas)
- Electronically file and serve documents with applicable jurisdictions including courtesy and/or chambers copies as needed
- Coordinate court reporters and videographers for depositions and court hearings
- Assist with deposition exhibit preparations
- Prepare new business forms (e.g., conflict sheets, engagement letters, waiver letters) for new and existing clients while coordinating with business intake & conflicts department
- Maintain timekeepers’ calendar along with team court-related deadlines, while proactively resolving scheduling conflicts
- Schedule and coordinate virtual and in-person client and internal meetings
- Communicate with docket department for business related deadlines
- Prepare and process invoices, submit expense reports, check requests, travel reimbursements, cell phone reimbursements, and fitness reimbursements using general ledger codes in accordance with accounting/finance department guidelines
- Enter time daily in IntApp and maintain appropriate records
- Review, distribute, and process prebills
- Perform audit letter process
- Perform legal research, as requested
- Keep abreast of court rules and procedures, legal terminology, and e-filing and filing under seal requirements
- Maintain timekeepers’ CLE credits, bar admissions/renewals, and various court admissions
- Make travel arrangements, making recommendations for optimal flights and accommodations, while adhering to the firm’s travel policy
- Coordinate with the service center to prepare and arrange messenger service, large-scale mailings, and copy projects
- Copy and print documents that are not appropriate to send to the service center
- Consistently use the CRM tool to support business development in the firm
- Maintain open communication and professional relationships with all assigned timekeepers, team members, and clients
- Assist other timekeepers and team members, as needed
- Work with, delegate, and provide mentorship to practice team assistants, as appropriate
- Keep abreast of applicable software and procedural changes at the firm
- Participate in pilot programs to test and improve technology or workflow enhancements
- Other duties as assigned or required
Skills and experience:
Required:
- After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
- 4+ years of administrative support experience in a law firm or legal department, preferably specializing in business practice
Preferred:
- Ability to navigate and interpret legal procedures and terminology effectively
- Bachelor’s degree or business college certificate
Competencies:
- Ability to complete tasks independently in a fast-paced environment for multiple assigned timekeepers while working as part of a team
- Pro-actively prioritize work assignments and consistently meet deadlines
- Delegate work effectively when necessary
- Demonstrate initiative, diplomacy, and tact
- Ability to consistently deliver high-quality work with attention to detail in proofreading, writing, and communication
- Engage in a professional and polite manner with clients, colleagues, court personnel, and others
- Reliable, committed, organized, and punctual
Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.
EOE.
Candidates with at least one year of experience may be considered for this role at the Legal Support Assistant level and candidates with more than ten years of experience may be considered for this role at the Senior Legal Support Specialist level. The expected hourly pay range for this position with a work schedule of 40 hours per week is as follows:
Legal Support Assistant – $35.00 - $38.50/hour ($72,800.00 - $80,080.00 annually)
Legal Support Specialist – $38.50 - $47.00/hour ($80,080.00 - $97,760.00 annually)
Senior Legal Support Specialist – $47.50 - $58.50/hour ($98,800.00 - $121,680.00 annually)
Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.
We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.

INTRODUCTION
Cooley is seeking a Legal Support Specialist to join the Business team.
Position Summary:
The Legal Support Specialist (Business) will provide complex and specialized administrative support to assigned attorneys and paralegals. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Position responsibilities:
- Prepare and revise documents to support timekeepers which may include DocuSign, drafts, oral instruction, redlining, and proofreading end product
- Draft pleading and discovery documents (e.g., master captions, shell notices, declarations, proposed orders, and proof of services)
- Create and maintain files, including electronic files in iManage, Outlook, and shared drives
- Arrange for court filings and service of documents (e.g., new complaints and subpoenas)
- Electronically file and serve documents with applicable jurisdictions including courtesy and/or chambers copies as needed
- Coordinate court reporters and videographers for depositions and court hearings
- Assist with deposition exhibit preparations
- Prepare new business forms (e.g., conflict sheets, engagement letters, waiver letters) for new and existing clients while coordinating with business intake & conflicts department
- Maintain timekeepers’ calendar along with team court-related deadlines, while proactively resolving scheduling conflicts
- Schedule and coordinate virtual and in-person client and internal meetings
- Communicate with docket department for business related deadlines
- Prepare and process invoices, submit expense reports, check requests, travel reimbursements, cell phone reimbursements, and fitness reimbursements using general ledger codes in accordance with accounting/finance department guidelines
- Enter time daily in IntApp and maintain appropriate records
- Review, distribute, and process prebills
- Perform audit letter process
- Perform legal research, as requested
- Keep abreast of court rules and procedures, legal terminology, and e-filing and filing under seal requirements
- Maintain timekeepers’ CLE credits, bar admissions/renewals, and various court admissions
- Make travel arrangements, making recommendations for optimal flights and accommodations, while adhering to the firm’s travel policy
- Coordinate with the service center to prepare and arrange messenger service, large-scale mailings, and copy projects
- Copy and print documents that are not appropriate to send to the service center
- Consistently use the CRM tool to support business development in the firm
- Maintain open communication and professional relationships with all assigned timekeepers, team members, and clients
- Assist other timekeepers and team members, as needed
- Work with, delegate, and provide mentorship to practice team assistants, as appropriate
- Keep abreast of applicable software and procedural changes at the firm
- Participate in pilot programs to test and improve technology or workflow enhancements
- Other duties as assigned or required
Skills and experience:
Required:
- After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
- 4+ years of administrative support experience in a law firm or legal department, preferably specializing in business practice
Preferred:
- Ability to navigate and interpret legal procedures and terminology effectively
- Bachelor’s degree or business college certificate
Competencies:
- Ability to complete tasks independently in a fast-paced environment for multiple assigned timekeepers while working as part of a team
- Pro-actively prioritize work assignments and consistently meet deadlines
- Delegate work effectively when necessary
- Demonstrate initiative, diplomacy, and tact
- Ability to consistently deliver high-quality work with attention to detail in proofreading, writing, and communication
- Engage in a professional and polite manner with clients, colleagues, court personnel, and others
- Reliable, committed, organized, and punctual
Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.
EOE.
Candidates with at least one year of experience may be considered for this role at the Legal Support Assistant level and candidates with more than ten years of experience may be considered for this role at the Senior Legal Support Specialist level. The expected hourly pay range for this position with a work schedule of 40 hours per week is as follows:
Legal Support Assistant – $35.00 - $38.50/hour ($72,800.00 - $80,080.00 annually)
Legal Support Specialist – $38.50 - $47.00/hour ($80,080.00 - $97,760.00 annually)
Senior Legal Support Specialist – $47.50 - $58.50/hour ($98,800.00 - $121,680.00 annually)
Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.
We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.
Job Roles in Legal in Illinois
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which legal companies sponsor F-1 CPT visas in Illinois?
Large Am Law 100 firms headquartered or with major offices in Chicago, including Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, Mayer Brown, and Winston & Strawn, have historically run structured summer associate and internship programs that can accommodate CPT authorization. Corporate legal departments at Illinois-based companies and public interest organizations like the ACLU of Illinois also participate, though CPT eligibility always depends on your school's program requirements and employer willingness to cooperate with your DSO.
Which cities in Illinois have the most legal F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of legal CPT opportunities in Illinois. The Loop and River North districts concentrate law firm offices, while the broader Chicago metro includes corporate legal departments in suburbs like Deerfield, Lisle, and Schaumburg. Springfield has some state government and administrative law positions, but the volume is significantly lower. For international students, Chicago is where to focus your search.
What types of legal roles typically qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship?
CPT eligibility depends on whether the work is directly tied to your academic program, not the job title itself. In the legal industry, roles that commonly meet this requirement include summer associate positions, legal research internships, compliance internships, paralegal roles, and legal clinic placements. Your school's DSO must authorize each CPT position, and the employer's role descriptions need to align with your field of study. Generic administrative work is unlikely to qualify.
How do I find legal F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters legal jobs in Illinois by visa type, including F-1 CPT, so you're not sifting through postings from employers who don't sponsor. Beyond Migrate Mate, your law school's career services office often has direct relationships with Chicago-area firms that have sponsored CPT students before. Targeting employers with established internship programs significantly improves your chances, since ad hoc CPT arrangements are harder to secure.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for F-1 CPT in the legal industry?
Illinois does not impose state-level restrictions on CPT beyond federal requirements, but the legal industry has profession-specific rules worth knowing. Law students working in supervised legal roles may need to comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711, which governs student practice in legal proceedings. This is a state bar rule, not an immigration rule, but it affects what work you can perform. Always confirm with your DSO and the employer's general counsel or HR team before accepting a CPT position at a law firm.
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