General Counsel Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
General Counsel positions commonly qualify for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and EB-2 visa sponsorship due to their specialized legal expertise and advanced degree requirements. Most roles require a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school plus significant legal experience, making them strong candidates for employment-based immigration petitions. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
Find General Counsel JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 2,500+ General Counsel jobs
See all 2,500+ General Counsel Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new General Counsel roles.
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 2,500+ General Counsel Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new General Counsel roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding General Counsel Jobs
Emphasize specialized legal expertise
Highlight specific practice areas like securities law, corporate governance, or regulatory compliance. USCIS values specialized legal knowledge that requires advanced training beyond general business management.
Document bar admission requirements
Most General Counsel roles require active bar membership in relevant jurisdictions. Include bar admission dates and any specialized certifications that demonstrate your legal qualifications.
Focus on J.D. degree necessity
General Counsel positions typically require a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, making them strong specialty occupation candidates. The role's legal nature supports H-1B qualification arguments.
Consider O-1 for extraordinary ability
Senior General Counsel with major legal victories, published articles, or industry recognition may qualify for O-1 visas, which offer more flexibility than H-1B caps.
Target companies with legal complexity
Regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and technology often need General Counsel for compliance matters, making them more likely to sponsor qualified international legal professionals.
Prepare for nonimmigrant intent scrutiny
General Counsel roles are senior positions that may trigger immigrant intent concerns. Be ready to explain your temporary work plans and ties to your home country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do General Counsel positions qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, General Counsel positions typically qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship because they require specialized legal knowledge and a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school. The role's legal complexity and advanced degree requirement make it a strong specialty occupation candidate under USCIS criteria.
What degree requirements do employers expect for General Counsel visa sponsorship?
Most employers require a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school plus active bar admission in relevant jurisdictions. Some positions may accept foreign law degrees with credential evaluation, but U.S. legal education is strongly preferred for regulatory compliance roles.
Can foreign lawyers get General Counsel positions with visa sponsorship?
Foreign lawyers can qualify, but typically need additional U.S. legal credentials. Many employers prefer candidates with U.S. J.D. degrees and bar admission. Foreign-qualified lawyers may need to complete LLM programs or bar examinations to meet employer requirements.
How do General Counsel roles affect green card applications?
General Counsel positions often strengthen EB-2 green card applications due to their advanced degree requirements and specialized expertise. However, the senior nature of these roles may create immigrant intent concerns that need careful handling during nonimmigrant visa renewals.
What makes General Counsel sponsorship cases challenging?
The main challenge is demonstrating that the role requires specialized legal knowledge beyond general business management. USCIS may question whether duties are primarily legal or executive. Strong job descriptions emphasizing legal analysis, regulatory compliance, and specialized legal expertise help address these concerns.
How to find General Counsel jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find General Counsel jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international legal professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on multinational corporations, tech companies, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1, and EB-2 visas for senior legal executives. These employers typically have established immigration processes for executive-level positions.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored 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.