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 JobsJob Title: Assistant General Counsel, Business Development
Job Requisition ID: 2588
Posting Start Date: 11/11/26
At Daiichi Sankyo, we are united by a single purpose, to improve lives around the world through innovative medicines. With a legacy of innovation since 1899, a presence in more than 30 countries, and more than 19,000 employees, we are advancing breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and immune disorders. Guided by our 2030 vision to "be an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society", we are shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for patients, their families, and society.
Job Summary
The Assistant General Counsel, Business Development will be responsible for providing legal counsel to Daiichi Sankyo's Global Business Development department and handle all legal aspects of licensing, co-promotion/co-development/co-marketing and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical field, including drafting, negotiating and reviewing such agreements for U.S., global and ex-U.S. territories and supporting the Alliance Management function. This role will also provide legal support for other Corporate Functions, as assigned (including but not limited to as Human Resources, Compliance, Finance and/or IT). Coordination with, and appropriate supervision of, outside counsel as is required. Provides appropriate counsel and direction to other members of the Legal Affairs Department as well as serving as a mentor in order to foster their professional growth and development as well as their achievement of Company and/or departmental expectations and goals as identified by senior management.
Responsibilities
-
Handles all legal aspects of licensing, co-promotion/co-development and acquisition deals including CDAs, due diligence, regulatory filings (e.g., Hart-Scott-Rodino), term sheet and contract negotiation.
-
Advises Head of Global Business Development and senior management (including colleagues from parent company) regarding legal and regulatory aspects of major issues involving licensing and related transactions. Such transactions may be global, US-only, ex-U.S. only, or intra-company arrangements. Negotiates, drafts and comments on such agreements.
-
Supervises outside counsel in cases where outside counsel participates in negotiation and drafting.
-
Provides full legal services to Global Business Development department and other Corporate Functions, in US and globally, as assigned. Coordinates with Global Legal/IP and regional Legal departments, as appropriate. For these areas, acts as lead attorney providing legal advice and support for the business aspects of those functions.
-
Prepares legal documents such as contracts, correspondence, both independently and for review, approval, and use by management. Independently negotiates contracts and other issues with third parties (vendors, etc.).
-
Manages, as assigned, outside lawyers and contracted legal counsel assigned to specific corporate business or functional areas of Daiichi Sankyo.
-
Handles all legal aspects of relationship management for U.S. and Global relationship with key marketing and development partners, including but not limited to Alliance Management, such as contract amendments, interpretation, etc., and will draft development agreements for companion diagnostics for pipeline products to meet rapidly evolving business/regulatory needs.
-
Monitors changes in the laws, regulations and enforcement practices of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over U.S. and Global pharmaceutical business development transactions, which present significant financial risks and potential criminal liability to a pharmaceutical company.
-
Briefs management in Global Legal/IP and other senior management in US and Tokyo regarding same.
-
Supports External Scientific Affairs on early-stage opportunities. This primarily includes legal review of CDAs, Academic Research Agreements and related activities.
Qualifications
Education Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree required
- JD from Law School of recognized standing and NJ State Bar Admission (or qualified to be admitted as limited in-house NJ attorney) required
- Eligible to practice law in the state of New Jersey (either licensed in NJ or limited in-house license) and maintain such license in good standing at all times. required
Experience Qualifications
-
7 or More Years post-law school experience, required
-
4 or More Years pharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in drafting and negotiating licensing, promotion and development deals, including global transactions. required
-
Relevant in-house corporate and/or non-litigation experience preferred
-
Experience in patent prosecution or patent litigation preferred
Travel Requirements
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. Travel includes approximately 2 weeklong trips to Japan each year; other international travel is possible.
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary Range:
USD$228,160.00 - USD$342,240.00
Job Title: Assistant General Counsel, Business Development
Job Requisition ID: 2588
Posting Start Date: 11/11/26
At Daiichi Sankyo, we are united by a single purpose, to improve lives around the world through innovative medicines. With a legacy of innovation since 1899, a presence in more than 30 countries, and more than 19,000 employees, we are advancing breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and immune disorders. Guided by our 2030 vision to "be an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society", we are shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for patients, their families, and society.
Job Summary
The Assistant General Counsel, Business Development will be responsible for providing legal counsel to Daiichi Sankyo's Global Business Development department and handle all legal aspects of licensing, co-promotion/co-development/co-marketing and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical field, including drafting, negotiating and reviewing such agreements for U.S., global and ex-U.S. territories and supporting the Alliance Management function. This role will also provide legal support for other Corporate Functions, as assigned (including but not limited to as Human Resources, Compliance, Finance and/or IT). Coordination with, and appropriate supervision of, outside counsel as is required. Provides appropriate counsel and direction to other members of the Legal Affairs Department as well as serving as a mentor in order to foster their professional growth and development as well as their achievement of Company and/or departmental expectations and goals as identified by senior management.
Responsibilities
-
Handles all legal aspects of licensing, co-promotion/co-development and acquisition deals including CDAs, due diligence, regulatory filings (e.g., Hart-Scott-Rodino), term sheet and contract negotiation.
-
Advises Head of Global Business Development and senior management (including colleagues from parent company) regarding legal and regulatory aspects of major issues involving licensing and related transactions. Such transactions may be global, US-only, ex-U.S. only, or intra-company arrangements. Negotiates, drafts and comments on such agreements.
-
Supervises outside counsel in cases where outside counsel participates in negotiation and drafting.
-
Provides full legal services to Global Business Development department and other Corporate Functions, in US and globally, as assigned. Coordinates with Global Legal/IP and regional Legal departments, as appropriate. For these areas, acts as lead attorney providing legal advice and support for the business aspects of those functions.
-
Prepares legal documents such as contracts, correspondence, both independently and for review, approval, and use by management. Independently negotiates contracts and other issues with third parties (vendors, etc.).
-
Manages, as assigned, outside lawyers and contracted legal counsel assigned to specific corporate business or functional areas of Daiichi Sankyo.
-
Handles all legal aspects of relationship management for U.S. and Global relationship with key marketing and development partners, including but not limited to Alliance Management, such as contract amendments, interpretation, etc., and will draft development agreements for companion diagnostics for pipeline products to meet rapidly evolving business/regulatory needs.
-
Monitors changes in the laws, regulations and enforcement practices of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over U.S. and Global pharmaceutical business development transactions, which present significant financial risks and potential criminal liability to a pharmaceutical company.
-
Briefs management in Global Legal/IP and other senior management in US and Tokyo regarding same.
-
Supports External Scientific Affairs on early-stage opportunities. This primarily includes legal review of CDAs, Academic Research Agreements and related activities.
Qualifications
Education Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree required
- JD from Law School of recognized standing and NJ State Bar Admission (or qualified to be admitted as limited in-house NJ attorney) required
- Eligible to practice law in the state of New Jersey (either licensed in NJ or limited in-house license) and maintain such license in good standing at all times. required
Experience Qualifications
-
7 or More Years post-law school experience, required
-
4 or More Years pharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in drafting and negotiating licensing, promotion and development deals, including global transactions. required
-
Relevant in-house corporate and/or non-litigation experience preferred
-
Experience in patent prosecution or patent litigation preferred
Travel Requirements
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. Travel includes approximately 2 weeklong trips to Japan each year; other international travel is possible.
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary Range:
USD$228,160.00 - USD$342,240.00
See all 2,475+ Assistant Counsel Jobs
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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.