Assistant General Counsel Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Assistant General Counsel roles qualify for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and EB-1 visa sponsorship. Law firms and corporate legal departments regularly sponsor foreign-born attorneys, though you'll need a J.D. or equivalent and active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. 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 2,474+ Assistant General Counsel Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Assistant General Counsel Jobs
Target in-house legal departments first
Large corporations with dedicated legal teams sponsor Assistant General Counsel roles far more consistently than law firms. Fortune 500 companies in tech, finance, and healthcare file H-1B petitions for in-house counsel regularly and have established immigration infrastructure to support the process.
Confirm your bar admission covers the role
Sponsoring employers must certify your role qualifies as a specialty occupation. Active bar admission in at least one U.S. state strengthens that case significantly. Foreign-educated attorneys should verify their degree equivalency through a credential evaluation before applying to sponsoring employers.
O-1A is a viable alternative if H-1B lottery fails
Senior attorneys with published work, significant case wins, or leadership in bar associations may qualify for the O-1A extraordinary ability visa. Unlike H-1B, O-1A has no lottery and no annual cap, making it a practical fallback for experienced legal professionals.
EB-1C can fast-track permanent residence for legal leaders
If you're stepping into a managerial or executive legal role, the EB-1C immigrant visa bypasses the PERM labor certification process entirely. This is one of the fastest green card pathways available and is commonly used by Assistant General Counsel candidates at large employers.
Get clarity on LCA prevailing wage before negotiating
Your employer must file a Labor Condition Application certifying they'll pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and location. Understanding the DOL wage level framework before salary discussions ensures your offer will clear the LCA requirement without complications during filing.
Address nonimmigrant intent carefully if you hold dual intent concerns
H-1B and O-1 are dual intent visas, meaning pursuing a green card doesn't jeopardize your status. Make this clear to employers who may be unfamiliar with sponsorship. Framing immigration as a structured, low-risk process helps reduce employer hesitation during hiring decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which visa types are most commonly used to sponsor Assistant General Counsel roles?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for Assistant General Counsel positions, as law qualifies clearly as a specialty occupation requiring a J.D. or equivalent. O-1A is a strong alternative for attorneys with notable achievements, and L-1A applies when transferring from a foreign affiliate. Employers with established legal teams tend to have immigration counsel already familiar with these pathways. You can browse sponsoring employers for this role on Migrate Mate.
Does a foreign law degree qualify for H-1B sponsorship as Assistant General Counsel?
A foreign law degree can qualify if it's evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. J.D. by a credential evaluation service. However, the more critical requirement is bar admission. Most employers sponsoring Assistant General Counsel roles require active admission to at least one U.S. state bar, which typically means passing the bar exam regardless of where your law degree was earned.
How do employers assess specialty occupation eligibility for Assistant General Counsel?
USCIS looks at whether the role normally requires a J.D. or equivalent as a minimum entry requirement. Assistant General Counsel roles almost always satisfy this because legal practice is definitionally degree-specific. In-house roles that involve regulatory compliance, contracts, or litigation oversight are well-established specialty occupation categories with strong USCIS approval histories.
Can an Assistant General Counsel on H-1B pursue a green card at the same time?
Yes. H-1B is a dual intent visa, so pursuing permanent residence doesn't put your nonimmigrant status at risk. Many employers sponsor both the H-1B and the green card process concurrently. The most common green card pathway for this role is EB-1C for those in managerial capacities, or EB-2 through PERM labor certification for individual contributor legal roles.
Is Assistant General Counsel a realistic role to find with visa sponsorship?
Yes, particularly at large corporations and publicly traded companies where in-house legal departments are well-resourced and accustomed to immigration processes. Law firms sponsor less frequently at this title level. Focusing on employers with prior H-1B filing histories significantly improves your odds. Migrate Mate filters for sponsoring employers specifically, making it easier to target your search toward companies that have already committed to sponsoring this role.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Assistant General 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.