Legal OPT Jobs in Illinois
F-1 OPT legal jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, home to major law firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Mayer Brown, and Sidley Austin, alongside corporate legal departments and nonprofit legal organizations. Illinois employers can hire F-1 OPT students in legal roles during the standard 12-month OPT period, with STEM extension not applicable to most legal positions.
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INTRODUCTION
Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.
We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.
If you thrive in a collaborative environment that values exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, we invite you to consider joining our Accounting and Analysis department in our Chicago office as an Analyst I: Financial Planning and Analysis.
The Analyst I: Financial Planning and Analysis supports the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Manager(s) and other key business leaders with Firm-wide strategic financial planning and analysis activities to help ensure the financial health and integrity of the company.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Work with the FP&A Manager(s) and broader team to support the entire annual budgeting process ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategic priorities (including analysis and recommendations of departmental expense budgets and monthly spreads; capital expense budget; and attorney headcount budgets)
- Create variance analysis for Practices & Departments against strategic goals, providing meaningful insight and identifying areas for improvement
- Assist with the development and maintenance of financial models and analysis to support key business decisions including cash outlook and forecasting, capital allocation and other strategic objectives
- Forge a strong relationship with other members of the FP&A team as well as other groups across the Firm (Accounting & other financial services, Commercial, HR, IT, etc)
- Perform other ad-hoc activities
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training/Certifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field
- Advanced Degree in Business/Finance/Accounting and/or CPA is a plus
Professional Experience:
- 0-1 years of experience in FP&A, Accounting or Business Analytics
Technical Skills:
- Strong Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills required
- PowerBi or SQL experience preferred
Performance Traits:
- Team player looking to grow and develop
- Ability to learn new concepts and skills quickly
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and quantitative skills, with exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to “think outside the box” and embrace continuous change
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on effectively articulating ideas, results of financial analysis and actionable recommendations
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to effectively cultivate relationships with cross-functional colleagues and business leaders
- Ability to handle confidential information and exercise sound judgement
Physical Requirements:
- May require travel to other offices as needed
We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.
We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request an accommodation related to the application process or interview, please email uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Mayer Brown works with select external search firms that have been vetted against our standards. Firms without a contract or agreement with Mayer Brown are not authorized to represent that they are working with the Firm, nor are they entitled to placement fees. Mayer Brown does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruiters. Submission of an unsolicited CV to Mayer Brown or any of its Partners or employees will not establish any right of priority for the submitting agency.
LI-HYBRID #LI-PT1
COMPENSATION
- Posted Pay Range: The typical pay scale for this position is between USD $63,000.00/Yr. and USD $84,000.00/Yr., although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate's education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified.
OPT Legal Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Legal Jobs in IllinoisLegal OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which legal companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Illinois?
Chicago's largest law firms, including Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, Mayer Brown, and Winston & Strawn, have historically hired international candidates on OPT for roles such as legal analyst, paralegal, and research associate. Corporate legal departments at Illinois-headquartered companies like Boeing, United Airlines, and Caterpillar also hire OPT workers. Sponsorship availability varies by firm, role, and hiring cycle, so confirming OPT acceptance directly with each employer is important.
Which cities in Illinois have the most legal F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of legal F-1 OPT jobs in Illinois, given its concentration of Am Law 100 firms, federal courts, and major corporate headquarters. The Chicago Loop and River North neighborhoods are particularly dense with law firm offices. Outside Chicago, Springfield has state government legal roles, and Evanston and Oak Brook have some corporate legal opportunities, though volume is significantly lower than in the city.
What types of legal roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include legal analyst, paralegal, compliance analyst, contract administrator, legal research associate, and regulatory affairs specialist. These positions generally require a bachelor's or advanced degree in a related field, which aligns with OPT's requirement that work be directly related to your major area of study. Law firm associate roles typically require a J.D. and bar admission, which can complicate OPT eligibility depending on how the employer classifies the position.
How do I find legal F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters legal jobs in Illinois by visa type, including F-1 OPT, so you can search without sifting through roles that don't offer sponsorship. The platform lists verified legal employers in Illinois who have sponsored OPT workers, covering law firms, corporate legal teams, and nonprofit legal organizations based in Chicago and surrounding areas.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the legal industry?
Illinois requires separate state bar admission for practicing attorneys, so F-1 OPT students working in non-attorney legal roles must ensure their job duties don't constitute the unauthorized practice of law under Illinois Supreme Court rules. Additionally, OPT employment must be at least 20 hours per week and directly related to your degree field. Legal employers in Illinois are generally familiar with OPT authorization, but confirming the employer's USCIS compliance process before accepting an offer is advisable.