Legal H-1B Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is one of the strongest states for legal H-1B visa sponsorship, anchored by Chicago's dense concentration of Am Law 100 firms, major corporations with in-house legal teams, and Big Four professional services firms. Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, and Mayer Brown are among the prominent Illinois-based employers with histories of H-1B sponsorship in legal roles.
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Position Summary
We are seeking a highly organized and motivated Investment Management Paralegal to support attorneys and the investment management team on corporate, transactional, private investment, and fund-related matters. This is an early-career opportunity for a paralegal with some relevant experience who is looking to build and expand their knowledge of investment management and transactional matters.
The ideal candidate will have a solid foundation in paralegal work, strong attention to detail, and an interest in developing expertise in corporate and investment-related transactions. The role will involve working closely with attorneys and other team members and will provide opportunities to take on increasing responsibility as experience develops.
Job duties and responsibilities
- Support attorneys on investment management and private investment transactions, including private fund formations, investments, acquisitions, and related corporate and transactional matters, as well as private equity, venture capital, hedge fund, and mergers and acquisitions matters.
- Manage the preparation and maintenance of corporate and transactional documentation, including organizational documents, resolutions, consents, certificates, agreements, signature pages, schedules, and closing documents, in accordance with attorney direction.
- Support private fund formations and investment transactions by preparing and coordinating subscription agreements, investor questionnaires, side letters, transfer documentation, and other investor and fund-related materials.
- Prepare and coordinate securities and regulatory filings, including Form D, Blue Sky, SEC, UCC, and other federal and state filings; submit filings through EDGAR and applicable state systems; and monitor filing requirements, confirmations, and deadlines.
- Handle entity formation and maintenance matters for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other legal entities, including preparing formation and qualification documents, obtaining required certificates and records, and maintaining organizational records.
- Conduct and coordinate corporate and transactional due diligence, including reviewing and organizing diligence materials, maintaining diligence checklists and data rooms, conducting corporate and lien searches, tracking outstanding items, and preparing diligence summaries for attorney review.
- Support transactional closings by preparing and maintaining closing checklists, coordinating execution and signature pages, tracking closing conditions and deliverables, organizing transaction documents, and compiling final closing sets and post-closing materials.
- Conduct UCC, lien, corporate status, and other searches and coordinate related filings and searches with government agencies, registered agents, filing services, and other outside providers.
- Obtain certificates of good standing, certified organizational documents, tax status certificates, and other corporate records from applicable jurisdictions and government agencies.
- Maintain and update entity records, organizational charts, capitalization information, corporate records, transaction records, and other client and matter information, ensuring records are accurate and complete.
- Monitor filing dates, transaction deadlines, renewal requirements, and other key dates and proactively follow up on outstanding matters to keep transactions and filings on schedule.
- Conduct factual, corporate, regulatory, securities, and transactional research in support of investment management and corporate matters and summarize findings for attorney review.
- Work directly with attorneys, clients, internal teams, government agencies, registered agents, filing services, and other outside service providers to obtain information, coordinate filings, resolve routine issues, and move transactions forward.
- Review and proofread agreements, filings, schedules, organizational documents, and closing materials and perform quality-control checks for accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
- Maintain well-organized electronic and physical matter files and ensure transaction and corporate records are appropriately maintained in accordance with firm and client requirements.
- Manage multiple substantive assignments and competing transaction deadlines, prioritize work effectively, and communicate proactively regarding status, outstanding items, and issues requiring attorney attention.
- Build and apply knowledge of investment management, private funds, private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, securities laws, SEC and state filing requirements, corporate governance, UCC filings, due diligence, and transactional closing procedures.
- Take increasing responsibility for assigned matters and develop the ability to independently manage routine paralegal workstreams while escalating substantive legal or transactional issues to the appropriate attorney.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the Investment Management practice and broader corporate group.
Job duties and responsibilities included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job duties and responsibilities at any time.
Requirements
Education: Undergraduate degree and paralegal certificate required; will consider candidate with comparable relevant experience in lieu of a paralegal certificate.
Experience:
One to three years of paralegal experience in a transactional, corporate, finance, or related legal practice preferred/required.
Experience or familiarity with any of the following is a plus:
- Investment management or private investment transactions
- Private equity, venture capital or hedge funds
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Securities laws and SEC filings on the EDGAR system
- Form D and Blue Sky filings
- Subscription agreements and investor documentation
- Corporate entity formation and management
- UCC filings
- Due diligence processes
- Transactional closings
Skills:
- 1-3 years of paralegal experience, preferably in investment management, private equity, venture capital, corporate, securities, or other transactional practice areas.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with attorneys, clients, colleagues, and outside service providers.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple assignments and changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently with appropriate supervision, exercise sound judgment and initiative, and recognize when to seek guidance.
- Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through.
- Ability to learn new legal, business, and transactional concepts quickly and apply established processes and procedures effectively.
- Interest in and familiarity with investment management, private equity, venture capital, corporate, securities, or other transactional matters.
- Self-motivated, dependable, adaptable, and collaborative, with a professional approach to working with attorneys, clients, and colleagues.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel; familiarity with electronic document management systems and other legal technology is a plus.
Additional information
Supervisory responsibilities: None.
Equipment used: Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, copier, scanner, etc.
Essential job functions
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks requiring prolonged and/or extensive computer use.
- Ability to use computers, telecommunications, and digital collaboration tools to perform core job responsibilities.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to maintain attention to detail while analyzing complex information, managing multiple priorities, and applying sound judgment to decisions.
- Travel for meetings and training as required.
- Ability to work extended hours as required to meet project, client, or business needs.
Working conditions
You will be required to work in the office at minimum 4 days per week. Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor.
Pay ranges
This is a non-exempt position. The hourly wage range for this role varies by office location and scheduled workweek, as outlined below. The corresponding estimated annual compensation ranges are based on expected hours. These ranges represent the presently anticipated pay ranges for this position. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.
- Pittsburgh, Miami, Denver & Atlanta - $37.56 - $46.35 per hour (approximately $78,130 - $96,400 annually based on a 40-hour workweek)
- Houston - $40.07 - $49.44 per hour (approximately $78,130 - $96,400 annually based on a 37.5-hour workweek)
- Philadelphia & Wilmington - $37.56 - $49.59 per hour (approximately $78,130 - $103,150 annually based on a 40-hour workweek)
- Chicago - $42.93 - $56.68 per hour (approximately $78,130 - $103,150 annually based on a 35-hour workweek)
- Washington, DC, Princeton & Boston - $37.56 - $49.59 per hour (approximately $78,130 - $103,150 annually based on a 40-hour workweek)
Employee benefits overview
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Medical Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Virtual Health Services
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability Coverage
- Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Lyra Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid Family Leave (for eligible Exempt and Non-Exempt staff)
- Transportation Benefit
- Back-up Child Care Services
- College Coach Program
- Pet Insurance
- Paid Sick Time (for Exempt staff)
- Paid Time Off (available to all full-time, non-temporary employees)
Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401(k) plan.
Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer with Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork & Respect, Innovation, and Impact. Reed Smith also provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with law, including in the application and interview process.
Qualified candidates only. No search firms.
H-1B Legal Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Legal Jobs in IllinoisLegal H-1B Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which legal companies sponsor H-1B visas in Illinois?
Several large law firms headquartered in Chicago have filed H-1B visa Labor Condition Applications for legal roles, including Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, Mayer Brown, and Winston & Strawn. Large corporations with substantial Illinois in-house legal departments, such as Boeing, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and United Airlines, also appear in DOL disclosure data as H-1B sponsors for attorney and legal counsel positions.
Which cities in Illinois have the most legal H-1B sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of legal H-1B sponsorship activity in Illinois. The Loop and surrounding downtown neighborhoods host the highest density of major law firms and corporate legal departments. Outside Chicago, opportunities are limited, though Downers Grove and Naperville have some corporate legal presence. For most international attorneys pursuing H-1B sponsorship, Chicago is the practical target.
What types of legal roles typically qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Roles that require a Juris Doctor or a specialized legal master's degree as a minimum entry requirement are the strongest candidates for H-1B specialty occupation classification. This typically includes associate attorney positions at law firms, in-house counsel roles, compliance attorneys, and legal analysts requiring a law degree. Paralegal and legal assistant roles generally do not qualify because they do not require a specific bachelor's-level or higher degree in a directly related field.
How do I find legal H-1B sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking H-1B sponsorship, and you can filter directly for legal roles in Illinois. This surfaces employers with documented H-1B sponsorship histories in the legal sector, saving significant research time. Beyond the job board, reviewing DOL OFLC disclosure data for Illinois-based LCA filings under legal job titles can help you identify which specific firms and companies have sponsored in the past.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for H-1B sponsorship in legal roles?
Illinois does not impose state-level restrictions on H-1B employment, but legal roles carry an additional layer of complexity: practicing law in Illinois requires admission to the Illinois State Bar. H-1B status authorizes work for the petitioning employer but does not itself grant bar admission. Foreign-trained attorneys should verify their eligibility to sit for the Illinois bar exam through the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar before targeting roles that require state licensure.
What is the prevailing wage for H-1B legal 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.