Legal Associate Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois legal associate roles are concentrated in Chicago, home to major law firms like Sidley Austin, Kirkland & Ellis, and Mayer Brown, all with established visa sponsorship programs. The state's dense corporate headquarters base and Big Ten university pipeline also drive demand for legal associates in-house at companies across the Chicago metro.
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INTRODUCTION
Our Americas Employment & Compensation Practice Group advises US-based global multinational clients on domestic and international employment and labor law matters, ranging from expansion into new jurisdictions to deploying and managing a global workforce, to M&A and restructuring. We “translate” the international landscape for in-house counsel and managers with global responsibilities. We lead cross-border and multi-disciplinary employment projects providing commercially practical support for our clients’ global operations.
Baker McKenzie seeks an associate attorney for its Global Employment & Labor Law practice with up to 2 years of experience to reside in either our Chicago, San Francisco, or Palo Alto office. The position is focused on providing advice and counsel to multinational clients on US and cross-border employment issues, including transactions. The ideal candidate will have some employment counseling experience, some transactional experience, and a background in international employment law. However, recent law graduates are welcome to apply.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong academic credentials from a top law school
- Excellent communication, analytical and writing skills
- Top tier law firm experience in an employment practice
- Ability to function smoothly in a global team environment with culturally diverse team members
- Must be admitted and a member in good standing of the Bar in the state of employment
- If a recent law graduate, must demonstrate they will be sitting for the bar exam
Please include a writing sample, cover letter, transcripts and resume with your application.
About us
At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. Should candidates require any reasonable adjustments and/or accommodations when applying to or interviewing with our Firm, please notify Nathaniel.Brown@bakermckenzie.com
Pay Transparency
- This position is bonus eligible and includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) based on number of hours worked.
- The US base compensation for this position is expected to be $225,000 to $235,000 (annually) if located in an office in the state of California. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
- California notice: Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates.
Legal Associate Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Legal Associate Jobs in IllinoisLegal Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for legal associates in Illinois?
Large law firms with Chicago offices, including Sidley Austin, Kirkland & Ellis, Mayer Brown, and Winston & Strawn, are among the most active H-1B visa sponsors for legal associates in Illinois. Major corporations headquartered in the Chicago area, such as Boeing, Allstate, and Morningstar, also sponsor legal associates for in-house roles. Sponsorship is more common at larger firms and companies with established immigration infrastructure.
Which visa types are most common for legal associate roles in Illinois?
The H-1B visa is the most common path for international legal associates in Illinois, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a law degree. Attorneys with an LL.M. from a U.S. law school often use OPT before transitioning to H-1B sponsorship. The O-1A visa is another option for candidates with demonstrated distinction in the legal field, though it requires substantial evidence of exceptional achievement.
Which cities in Illinois have the most legal associate sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of legal associate visa sponsorship opportunities in Illinois. The Loop and surrounding neighborhoods house the state and federal court systems, Big Law firm offices, and dozens of corporate legal departments. Outside Chicago, opportunities are limited, though some regional firms and corporate campuses in suburbs like Oak Brook, Schaumburg, and Naperville occasionally post legal associate openings.
How to find legal associate visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters legal associate roles in Illinois specifically by visa sponsorship eligibility, so you can browse opportunities without sorting through positions that won't support international candidates. The platform surfaces roles at both law firms and in-house legal teams across the Chicago metro. Searching by legal associate job titles within Illinois on Migrate Mate is the most direct way to identify employers actively willing to sponsor.
Are there state-specific factors that affect legal associate sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois requires foreign-educated attorneys to pass the Illinois bar exam before practicing as licensed lawyers, which affects sponsorship timelines. Employers typically sponsor candidates who have already passed or are eligible to sit for the bar. Chicago's concentration of Am Law 100 firms and large corporate headquarters creates a deeper sponsorship market than most U.S. states, and Northwestern Pritzker and University of Chicago Law schools generate a significant pipeline of candidates familiar to Illinois-based hiring teams.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored legal associate 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.