Assistant Professor of Law Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Assistant Professor of Law roles at U.S. law schools routinely qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations, and many institutions hold cap-exempt status as nonprofit educational organizations, bypassing the annual lottery entirely. Sponsorship timelines vary by semester start date, and PERM labor certification is common for tenure-track positions targeting a green card.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Type:
Full, Associate, Assistant Professor of Law
Position Type:
Regular
Salary Range:
Professor - $193,382-$214,854
Associate Professor - $170,000-$185,000
Assistant Professor - $149,384-$166,114
Purpose:
Santa Clara University School of Law welcomes applications from both entry-level and lateral tenure-track/tenured candidates in the fields of U.S. criminal law, criminal procedure and evidence. This search aims to build on our existing institutional expertise in criminal law, which encompasses scholarship, advocacy and pedagogy. Ideal applicants will have a demonstrated record of scholarship and a rigorous research agenda that reflects a commitment to expertise and a deep engagement with the field of U.S. criminal law. Applicants also should have a demonstrated record of excellence as a teacher. Successful candidates will be expected to teach at least one, and optimally two of these bar-tested subjects.
SCU’s faculty is small, vibrant and committed. We seek colleagues who share our dedication to supporting the needs of our diverse student body and are excited about using their experience and leadership skills to strengthen our criminal law program, along with our community and institution.
Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their interest in SCU law, detailing how their work might complement or deepen our program, how their work might be strengthened by joining our faculty, and any additional factors, including regional ties, that make them particularly interested in SCU. Finally, at SCU law, the guiding value of cura personalis (care for the whole person) informs our belief that each individual brings a unique perspective, shaped by their background and life experiences. Lawyers begin their professional trajectories in many different places, and our student body–indeed, our entire community–reflects an incredibly broad range of pathways into the profession. Please say a bit about your own journey, and how your identities and experiences shape the work you do as a scholar, and the leadership you hope to bring to our community. Refer any questions to Michelle Oberman (moberman@scu.edu), committee chair. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with preference given to those applying by January 1, 2027.
Santa Clara University is a private, Jesuit, Catholic university offering its 8,800 students rigorous undergraduate curricula, master’s, Ph.D., and law degrees. SCU Law, one of the nation’s most diverse law schools, is dedicated to educating lawyers who lead with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and justice. Santa Clara Law offers its 700+ students an academically rigorous program, including our innovative FlexJD, Public InterestJD and TechEdgeJD programs, along with numerous clinics, certificates and joint degree options. Applicants are invited to visit the Law School’s website for background on the Law School’s mission and scope of programs offered.
Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website.
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at hraccommodations@scu.edu or by phone at (408) 554-5750. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact hrservicedesk@scu.edu.
Position Type:
Full, Associate, Assistant Professor of Law
Position Type:
Regular
Salary Range:
Professor - $193,382-$214,854
Associate Professor - $170,000-$185,000
Assistant Professor - $149,384-$166,114
Purpose:
Santa Clara University School of Law welcomes applications from both entry-level and lateral tenure-track/tenured candidates in the fields of U.S. criminal law, criminal procedure and evidence. This search aims to build on our existing institutional expertise in criminal law, which encompasses scholarship, advocacy and pedagogy. Ideal applicants will have a demonstrated record of scholarship and a rigorous research agenda that reflects a commitment to expertise and a deep engagement with the field of U.S. criminal law. Applicants also should have a demonstrated record of excellence as a teacher. Successful candidates will be expected to teach at least one, and optimally two of these bar-tested subjects.
SCU’s faculty is small, vibrant and committed. We seek colleagues who share our dedication to supporting the needs of our diverse student body and are excited about using their experience and leadership skills to strengthen our criminal law program, along with our community and institution.
Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their interest in SCU law, detailing how their work might complement or deepen our program, how their work might be strengthened by joining our faculty, and any additional factors, including regional ties, that make them particularly interested in SCU. Finally, at SCU law, the guiding value of cura personalis (care for the whole person) informs our belief that each individual brings a unique perspective, shaped by their background and life experiences. Lawyers begin their professional trajectories in many different places, and our student body–indeed, our entire community–reflects an incredibly broad range of pathways into the profession. Please say a bit about your own journey, and how your identities and experiences shape the work you do as a scholar, and the leadership you hope to bring to our community. Refer any questions to Michelle Oberman (moberman@scu.edu), committee chair. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with preference given to those applying by January 1, 2027.
Santa Clara University is a private, Jesuit, Catholic university offering its 8,800 students rigorous undergraduate curricula, master’s, Ph.D., and law degrees. SCU Law, one of the nation’s most diverse law schools, is dedicated to educating lawyers who lead with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and justice. Santa Clara Law offers its 700+ students an academically rigorous program, including our innovative FlexJD, Public InterestJD and TechEdgeJD programs, along with numerous clinics, certificates and joint degree options. Applicants are invited to visit the Law School’s website for background on the Law School’s mission and scope of programs offered.
Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website.
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at hraccommodations@scu.edu or by phone at (408) 554-5750. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact hrservicedesk@scu.edu.
See all Assistant Professor of Law Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Assistant Professor of Law roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Assistant Professor of Law Jobs
Verify your law school's cap-exempt status
Nonprofit universities affiliated with higher education are typically cap-exempt under INA, meaning your H-1B petition can be filed at any time of year without entering the lottery. Confirm this with HR before assuming your start date aligns with the standard October 1 cycle.
Align your JD or LLM with specialty occupation requirements
USCIS requires that your degree directly relate to your teaching duties. An LLM from a foreign institution satisfies this if the law school confirms the degree is equivalent to a U.S. professional degree. Gather degree equivalency evaluations early, as credential review adds weeks to the timeline.
Target tenure-track postings with PERM language
Job ads that include language about sponsoring permanent residence signal the employer intends to file PERM labor certification. For law faculty, PERM requires a good-faith recruitment record showing no qualified U.S. applicants were bypassed, so the hiring committee's documentation process directly affects your green card timeline.
Search Migrate Mate for law faculty LCA sponsorship history
Law school employers that have filed Labor Condition Applications for prior faculty hires are far more likely to sponsor again. Use Migrate Mate to identify institutions with verified H-1B LCA filing history for law and legal studies roles, narrowing your search to schools already familiar with the process.
Request a written sponsorship commitment before accepting an offer
Some law schools informally agree to sponsor but delay filing the LCA or I-129 until after your start date. Get a written offer that specifies the school will file your H-1B petition and cover required fees before you accept, since USCIS prohibits employers from passing mandatory petition costs to the worker.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to benchmark prevailing wage by rank
The H-1B LCA requires the employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for your role and location. Check the OFLC Wage Search using the law teachers occupational category for your metropolitan area so you can spot whether an offer meets the DOL wage level before the LCA is certified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do law school employers typically sponsor H-1B visas for assistant professor roles?
Yes, and many law schools qualify as cap-exempt employers because they are nonprofit institutions affiliated with higher education or research. That means they can file your H-1B petition at any point in the year without the annual lottery. Tenure-track positions are the most common sponsorship pathway, and many schools also initiate PERM labor certification for permanent residence once you are on faculty.
Does a foreign law degree qualify you for H-1B specialty occupation status?
A foreign law degree can satisfy the specialty occupation requirement if a credential evaluation confirms it is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field. For teaching law, an LLM or equivalent foreign postgraduate law degree typically meets USCIS's standard. You'll need a credential evaluation from a recognized organization, and some schools require bar admission in a U.S. jurisdiction as well.
What visa options exist for assistant professors of law beyond the H-1B?
The O-1A is an option if you have demonstrated extraordinary ability through publications, judicial clerkships, speaking invitations, or significant scholarly contributions. The J-1 visa exchange visitor category is also used for visiting or exchange faculty roles and doesn't require employer sponsorship of a petition, though it carries a potential two-year home residency requirement. For those on the green card track, EB-1B covers outstanding professors and researchers without requiring PERM.
How long does the H-1B sponsorship process take for a law faculty position?
For cap-exempt law schools, the timeline from LCA filing to USCIS approval typically runs three to five months under standard processing. Premium processing is available through USCIS and reduces the I-129 adjudication window significantly. Because the LCA must be certified by DOL before the I-129 is filed, build at least three to four weeks into your timeline before the petition even reaches USCIS.
Where can I find law schools that sponsor visas for faculty roles?
Migrate Mate lists law school employers with verified H-1B LCA sponsorship history, so you can identify institutions that have actively sponsored faculty in the past rather than relying on job postings alone. Filtering by role type and location helps you prioritize outreach to schools already set up for the sponsorship process.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Assistant Professor of Law 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.