Assistant Counsel Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Assistant Counsel positions regularly qualify for work visa sponsorship, particularly H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and TN visas. Law firms and corporate legal departments sponsor these roles when they require specialized legal knowledge and a JD from an ABA-accredited law school. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANTS LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Why does the job exist?
- Review and analyze records legal records
- Provide legal advice to Records Custodian
- Review all document requests ensuring appropriate information is shared in a timely manner
- Represents the CYFD in legal matters
- Reviews records for potential redaction and release to the DOJ
- Works with the DOJ on all requests regarding allegations against the department ensuring all shared information is accurate and provided swiftly.
- Participates in developing strategic plans for the agency
- Reviews DOJ recommendations
- Promptly provides recommendations and discusses said recommendations with CYFD Cabinet Secretary, Chief General Counsel and other leadership within the agency.
How does it get done?
This position will handle records requests and work with the Records Custodian and team in providing appropriate documentation. This position will also review recommendations from DOJ and determine whether the recommendations are appropriate, feasible and advise CYFD Cabinet Secretary and others regarding the DOJ recommendations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and two (2) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or obtain a limited law license within six (6) months of hire (See Rule 15-304 NMRA). Individuals pursuing the limited law license may not engage in the practice of law until the limited law license has been granted.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
- Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.
- Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office setting: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel is required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. May work under stress and frequent time constraints.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Amanda Romero, Amanda.Romero@cyfd.nm.gov, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANTS LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Why does the job exist?
- Review and analyze records legal records
- Provide legal advice to Records Custodian
- Review all document requests ensuring appropriate information is shared in a timely manner
- Represents the CYFD in legal matters
- Reviews records for potential redaction and release to the DOJ
- Works with the DOJ on all requests regarding allegations against the department ensuring all shared information is accurate and provided swiftly.
- Participates in developing strategic plans for the agency
- Reviews DOJ recommendations
- Promptly provides recommendations and discusses said recommendations with CYFD Cabinet Secretary, Chief General Counsel and other leadership within the agency.
How does it get done?
This position will handle records requests and work with the Records Custodian and team in providing appropriate documentation. This position will also review recommendations from DOJ and determine whether the recommendations are appropriate, feasible and advise CYFD Cabinet Secretary and others regarding the DOJ recommendations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and two (2) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or obtain a limited law license within six (6) months of hire (See Rule 15-304 NMRA). Individuals pursuing the limited law license may not engage in the practice of law until the limited law license has been granted.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
- Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.
- Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office setting: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel is required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. May work under stress and frequent time constraints.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Amanda Romero, Amanda.Romero@cyfd.nm.gov, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Assistant Counsel Jobs
Emphasize specialized legal expertise over general practice
Focus your application on niche areas like immigration law, securities regulation, or intellectual property rather than general corporate law to strengthen your specialty occupation case.
Target large firms with established sponsorship programs
AmLaw 100 firms and Fortune 500 legal departments have dedicated immigration teams and routinely sponsor international attorneys for H-1B and O-1 visas.
Leverage your foreign legal credentials strategically
If you're qualified to practice law in another country, highlight this as evidence of specialized knowledge that benefits U.S. legal operations.
Consider TN status if you're Canadian or Mexican
Assistant Counsel roles qualify for TN visas under the "Lawyer" category, providing a faster path than H-1B with no cap limitations.
Document your bar admission timing carefully
You can start on a sponsored visa before bar admission, but employers prefer candidates who can sit for the bar exam immediately upon hiring.
Network through legal associations and bar organizations
American Bar Association sections and local bar associations often host events where international lawyers can connect with sponsoring employers directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be bar-admitted before getting sponsored for an Assistant Counsel role?
No, but most employers prefer candidates who can take the bar exam immediately after starting. You can work on a sponsored visa while preparing for the bar, though some firms may make continued employment contingent on passing within a specific timeframe, typically 12-18 months.
Will my foreign law degree qualify for H-1B sponsorship as Assistant Counsel?
Yes, if your foreign law degree is equivalent to a U.S. JD from an ABA-accredited school. You'll typically need a credential evaluation from organizations like WES or ECE to establish equivalency. Some employers may also accept an LLM from a U.S. law school as qualifying education.
What's the typical approval rate for Assistant Counsel visa applications?
H-1B visa approval rates for legal positions are generally high, around 85-90%, because the specialty occupation requirement is clearly met with a JD requirement. O-1 approvals for attorneys vary more widely depending on your track record of extraordinary ability in legal practice or academia.
Can I get sponsored for Assistant Counsel without litigation experience?
Absolutely. Many Assistant Counsel roles focus on transactional work, regulatory compliance, contract drafting, or corporate governance rather than litigation. Emphasize your relevant experience in securities, mergers and acquisitions, employment law, or other specialized areas that match the employer's needs.
How long does visa processing typically take for legal positions?
H-1B processing takes 3-6 months through regular processing, or 15 business days with premium processing. TN visas for Canadian and Mexican lawyers can be processed at the border immediately, while O-1 applications typically take 2-4 months depending on the complexity of your extraordinary ability evidence.
How to find Assistant Counsel jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Assistant Counsel positions with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international legal professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus on large law firms, multinational corporations, and financial institutions that frequently hire foreign legal talent for H-1B and other work visas. These organizations often need Assistant Counsel for regulatory compliance, contract law, and international business matters.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Assistant Counsel jobs?
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.