Corporate Paralegal Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Corporate paralegals work in specialty occupation roles that qualify for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and TN visa sponsorship. Law firms and legal departments sponsor regularly, though approval depends on demonstrating that the role requires a specific bachelor's degree, not just any degree. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT ROPES & GRAY
Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm. The firm has been ranked in the top three on The American Lawyer's prestigious A-List for eight consecutive years and #1 on Law.com's UK A-List twice in the past three years - rankings that honor the "best of the best" law firms.
The firm has approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology, and government in Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.
The firm has consistently been recognized for its leading practices in many areas, including asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.
Ropes & Gray is an equal opportunity employer.
JOB SUMMARY
This job posting represents the Entry Level Registered Funds Paralegal across our offices. While many of the essential capabilities and responsibilities are similar for all entry registered funds paralegals, essential functions may differ based on workflow and location.
Essential Capabilities:
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs and client information. Understands ethics of position including ethical rules in regards to confidentiality, billing, and client representation and advocacy.
- Able to interact effectively and professionally with clients and all levels of personnel, including attorneys, co-workers, management and support staff.
- Able to own professional development by seeking out feedback and learning new skills.
- Able to embrace new processes and incorporate new technology to meet client demands as they evolve.
- Must be flexible in order to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities; able to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple, detailed tasks.
- Must be team-oriented and able to share information, goals, opportunities, successes and failures with the appropriate parties.
- Able to plan, organize and complete multiple related tasks.
- Able to exert influence at all levels of the organization.
- Able to problem solve and work with minimal supervision.
- Able to anticipate problems and issues and exercise independent judgment for resolution.
- Must deliver high quality work product and display ownership, having the ability to follow up and follow through.
- Must possess the ability to work independently, as well as on teams, in a fast-paced environment.
- Able to effectively work in a multi-office environment and a culturally and educationally diverse environment.
- Must be flexible in accommodating finite Secondment opportunities with the Firm's clients.
- Some lifting of boxes up to 20 pounds.
- Flexibility to travel on short notice and work overtime as needed, including nights and weekends.
Essential Functions: may differ based on client assignments and practice area support
- Track, maintain and help to coordinate paper and electronic document collections, reviews and productions, and client files, including corporate minute books, board books and stock records. Calendar and maintain deadline-driven documents and filings.
- Create, implement and maintain case files and workroom organizational systems. Assist with the organization and maintenance of corporate closing and data rooms, whether physical or electronic.
- Prepare for and attend client and deal team meetings and presentations.
- Assist with the drafting of various regulatory and organizational fund documents such as registration statements, shareholder reports, and annual disclosure updates by creating prospectus or statement of additional information shells, risk matrices, or ancillary documents to accompany filings (facing sheets, Part Cs, etc.).
- Assist with the filing of various regulatory and organizational fund documents, including review of printer proofs in a systematic way to include comparison against source documents, checks for comment incorporation, and review of table of contents, series/class identifiers, and section references.
- Draft and process legal response letters in connection with audit requests in compliance with established firm policy and procedure.
- Assist with fund launches and mergers and drafts initial formation documents and certificates based on previous models.
- Participate in the drafting, editing and preparation of board meeting agendas, minutes and compilation of board materials.
- Conduct research using the EDGAR database via the sec.gov general search engine and alternative search programs.
- The candidate should have familiarity with Microsoft 365 (including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams) and Adobe Acrobat or similar PDF tools.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve existing workflows through technology and AI-enabled tools and collaborates with attorneys, paralegals, practice technology, and other firm resources to support adoption of effective and responsible technology-enabled processes.
- Participate in required training and maintains proficiency with firm-approved AI and legal technology tools relevant to the role, including understanding their capabilities and limitations.
Responsibilities:
- Perform other work-related duties as assigned by the Legal Services Managers, Paralegal Coordinators, attorneys and senior paralegals.
- Comply with department and firm administrative procedures, policies and best practices.
- Meet the firm’s annual hours requirement through client-related projects and other credited work, prorated based on start date.
- Communicate, correspond and interact with clients and outside entities, such as government agencies, corporations and other law firms to gather information or data.
Complies with department and firm administrative procedures and requirements including weekly and monthly deadlines for submitting time sheets, time entries, status reports and availability updates.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree from a top-ranked institution. The position will involve significant contact with lawyers and paralegals at the Firm and requires strong interpersonal and communication skills. The candidate must be a demonstrated self-starter who is both highly organized and a team player.
In order for your application to be reviewed, please submit a cover letter.
COMPENSATION AND TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE:
Ropes & Gray is proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our business support team members. The firm also offers comprehensive health and well-being benefits, personal and professional development, career growth opportunities and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below and represents our good faith and reasonable estimate of the starting salary range at the time of posting. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.
Chicago: $69,500 - $100,800
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position requires hybrid on-site presence as an essential function of the role. Consistent and predictable on-site presence is required for ongoing business continuity, professional development and effective collaboration with colleagues and management.
ABOUT ROPES & GRAY
Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm. The firm has been ranked in the top three on The American Lawyer's prestigious A-List for eight consecutive years and #1 on Law.com's UK A-List twice in the past three years - rankings that honor the "best of the best" law firms.
The firm has approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology, and government in Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.
The firm has consistently been recognized for its leading practices in many areas, including asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.
Ropes & Gray is an equal opportunity employer.
JOB SUMMARY
This job posting represents the Entry Level Registered Funds Paralegal across our offices. While many of the essential capabilities and responsibilities are similar for all entry registered funds paralegals, essential functions may differ based on workflow and location.
Essential Capabilities:
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs and client information. Understands ethics of position including ethical rules in regards to confidentiality, billing, and client representation and advocacy.
- Able to interact effectively and professionally with clients and all levels of personnel, including attorneys, co-workers, management and support staff.
- Able to own professional development by seeking out feedback and learning new skills.
- Able to embrace new processes and incorporate new technology to meet client demands as they evolve.
- Must be flexible in order to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities; able to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple, detailed tasks.
- Must be team-oriented and able to share information, goals, opportunities, successes and failures with the appropriate parties.
- Able to plan, organize and complete multiple related tasks.
- Able to exert influence at all levels of the organization.
- Able to problem solve and work with minimal supervision.
- Able to anticipate problems and issues and exercise independent judgment for resolution.
- Must deliver high quality work product and display ownership, having the ability to follow up and follow through.
- Must possess the ability to work independently, as well as on teams, in a fast-paced environment.
- Able to effectively work in a multi-office environment and a culturally and educationally diverse environment.
- Must be flexible in accommodating finite Secondment opportunities with the Firm's clients.
- Some lifting of boxes up to 20 pounds.
- Flexibility to travel on short notice and work overtime as needed, including nights and weekends.
Essential Functions: may differ based on client assignments and practice area support
- Track, maintain and help to coordinate paper and electronic document collections, reviews and productions, and client files, including corporate minute books, board books and stock records. Calendar and maintain deadline-driven documents and filings.
- Create, implement and maintain case files and workroom organizational systems. Assist with the organization and maintenance of corporate closing and data rooms, whether physical or electronic.
- Prepare for and attend client and deal team meetings and presentations.
- Assist with the drafting of various regulatory and organizational fund documents such as registration statements, shareholder reports, and annual disclosure updates by creating prospectus or statement of additional information shells, risk matrices, or ancillary documents to accompany filings (facing sheets, Part Cs, etc.).
- Assist with the filing of various regulatory and organizational fund documents, including review of printer proofs in a systematic way to include comparison against source documents, checks for comment incorporation, and review of table of contents, series/class identifiers, and section references.
- Draft and process legal response letters in connection with audit requests in compliance with established firm policy and procedure.
- Assist with fund launches and mergers and drafts initial formation documents and certificates based on previous models.
- Participate in the drafting, editing and preparation of board meeting agendas, minutes and compilation of board materials.
- Conduct research using the EDGAR database via the sec.gov general search engine and alternative search programs.
- The candidate should have familiarity with Microsoft 365 (including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams) and Adobe Acrobat or similar PDF tools.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve existing workflows through technology and AI-enabled tools and collaborates with attorneys, paralegals, practice technology, and other firm resources to support adoption of effective and responsible technology-enabled processes.
- Participate in required training and maintains proficiency with firm-approved AI and legal technology tools relevant to the role, including understanding their capabilities and limitations.
Responsibilities:
- Perform other work-related duties as assigned by the Legal Services Managers, Paralegal Coordinators, attorneys and senior paralegals.
- Comply with department and firm administrative procedures, policies and best practices.
- Meet the firm’s annual hours requirement through client-related projects and other credited work, prorated based on start date.
- Communicate, correspond and interact with clients and outside entities, such as government agencies, corporations and other law firms to gather information or data.
Complies with department and firm administrative procedures and requirements including weekly and monthly deadlines for submitting time sheets, time entries, status reports and availability updates.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree from a top-ranked institution. The position will involve significant contact with lawyers and paralegals at the Firm and requires strong interpersonal and communication skills. The candidate must be a demonstrated self-starter who is both highly organized and a team player.
In order for your application to be reviewed, please submit a cover letter.
COMPENSATION AND TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE:
Ropes & Gray is proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our business support team members. The firm also offers comprehensive health and well-being benefits, personal and professional development, career growth opportunities and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below and represents our good faith and reasonable estimate of the starting salary range at the time of posting. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.
Chicago: $69,500 - $100,800
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position requires hybrid on-site presence as an essential function of the role. Consistent and predictable on-site presence is required for ongoing business continuity, professional development and effective collaboration with colleagues and management.
See all 773+ Corporate Paralegal Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Corporate Paralegal roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Corporate Paralegal
Target law firms over in-house legal departments
Large law firms sponsor corporate paralegals more frequently than in-house teams. AmLaw 100 firms in particular have established immigration workflows and are accustomed to filing H-1B petitions for professional staff, not just attorneys.
Clarify the degree requirement before applying
H-1B approval for corporate paralegals hinges on the job requiring a specific bachelor's degree, paralegal studies, legal studies, or a related field. Roles listed as open to any degree background are harder to support at the visa petition stage.
Highlight corporate transactional experience
Employers sponsoring visas for paralegals prefer candidates with M&A, securities, or corporate governance experience. These specializations signal a higher skill threshold and strengthen the specialty occupation argument USCIS scrutinizes during adjudication.
Ask about sponsorship policy during the first interview
Many legal employers sponsor selectively, only for hard-to-fill roles or senior paralegals. Raising the question early prevents investing weeks in a process with an employer whose HR policy excludes paralegal sponsorship entirely.
Consider the TN visa if you hold Canadian or Mexican citizenship
Canadian and Mexican citizens with a paralegal credential or law-related degree can qualify for TN status, which bypasses the H-1B lottery entirely. TN applications for paralegals are processed at the border or port of entry without USCIS adjudication.
Prepare to document your degree equivalency
If you hold a three-year bachelor's degree or a degree from outside the U.S., your employer's immigration attorney may need a credential evaluation to confirm it meets the four-year equivalency standard USCIS requires for H-1B specialty occupation petitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do corporate paralegal jobs qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, but approval is not automatic. USCIS requires the employer to show that the corporate paralegal role is a specialty occupation, meaning it normally requires a specific bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, or a closely related field. Generic job descriptions that accept any degree are more vulnerable to an RFE or denial. Employers who sponsor regularly tend to have carefully drafted job descriptions that satisfy this standard.
What degree do I need for a sponsored corporate paralegal role?
A bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, or a related field is the strongest foundation for an H-1B visa petition. Some employers also accept degrees in business or a substantive area of law relevant to the practice group, for example, a finance degree for a capital markets paralegal role. A paralegal certificate alone is generally not sufficient to support an H-1B without an underlying bachelor's degree.
How often do law firms sponsor visas for paralegals compared to attorneys?
Sponsorship is far more common for attorneys than paralegals, but it does happen, particularly at large firms with high-volume transactional practices where experienced paralegals are difficult to hire domestically. Corporate, M&A, and securities practice groups sponsor more frequently than litigation teams. If you're looking for firms actively sponsoring paralegal roles, browsing Migrate Mate filters specifically for visa-sponsoring legal employers and saves significant research time.
Can I use OPT or STEM OPT while working as a corporate paralegal?
Yes, if you're an F-1 student who studied paralegal studies or a qualifying STEM-adjacent field, you can work as a corporate paralegal on OPT without employer sponsorship during that period. Standard OPT provides 12 months of work authorization. Note that paralegal studies is not on the STEM OPT eligible program list, so a 24-month extension would require a qualifying STEM degree, common for paralegals who hold a separate undergraduate degree in a STEM field.
Is the TN visa a realistic option for corporate paralegals from Canada or Mexico?
It can be, but the TN visa category does not list 'paralegal' as a recognized profession. Canadian and Mexican applicants typically need to qualify under a related TN category, most commonly 'lawyer' (which requires a law degree) or another applicable category with a strong nexus to the role. Some applicants have succeeded under creative TN categorizations, but this approach requires careful review by an immigration attorney before attempting entry.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Corporate Paralegal 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.