In House Counsel Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
In-house counsel roles qualify for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and EB-1 or EB-2 green card sponsorship. Law firms and corporations regularly sponsor attorneys, but your J.D. and active bar admission are non-negotiable requirements for specialty occupation classification. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsJoin Fehr & Peers to provide legal counsel for a team empowered to collaborate, innovate, and develop creative transportation solutions that improve communities. Here, legal is a trusted partner to project managers, not a gatekeeper, and you’ll have real influence in managing risk while supporting the delivery of meaningful, impactful work.
We are a transportation planning and engineering firm with 24 offices and more than 400 staff nationwide. Since 1985, we have partnered with public, private, and institutional clients to design and plan safer, more effective ways for people and goods to move. Bringing together data, technology, and the experiences of the communities we serve, we help clients make confident, well-informed decisions.
We are seeking a talented and motivated attorney to join our two-person legal team within our Corporate Services group. Our legal team takes a consultative approach, offering clear advice, thoughtful solutions, and resources that help colleagues make informed decisions.
We value work-life balance. We also value giving staff members opportunities for skill development, growth, and mentorship. We provide competitive benefits, and the flexibility to seamlessly work both in the office and remotely.
Responsibilities
Contract Counsel:
- Review, edit, and negotiate a range of contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, teaming agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts
- Identify key risks in contracts and clearly explain those risks, legal concepts, and alternative approaches so technical staff can make informed business decisions
- Partner with project managers and business services staff to negotiate contracts with clients, teaming partners, and vendors
- Provide guidance on compliance matters, including conflicts of interests, confidentiality, and insurance requirements
- Manage intake and scheduling for contract review requests
Business Compliance and Support:
- Assist with business registrations and licensing in various jurisdictions
- Conduct legal research and make recommendations on a variety of topics relevant to our business
- Build your understanding of our technical services and the legal landscape for A&E firms, so your risk assessments and recommendations stay grounded in how the work actually gets done
Resource Management:
- Maintain and update legal resources such as contract templates, guidance documents, and internal training materials
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
- 3+ years of professional experience as an attorney with substantial experience reviewing and negotiating contracts
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, think critically through complex issues, and adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for explaining legal concepts and contract terms to our non-legal staff
- Strong attention to detail
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong internal relationships
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with a proven ability to independently balance multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines
- A collaborative mindset grounded in humility, strong listening skills, and a supportive approach to working with colleagues
- Curiosity and adaptability in leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to improve workflows, enhance analysis, and support efficient legal service delivery
- Ability to reliably work in the Roseville office at least two days per week. Ability to travel to our Walnut Creek office occasionally (usually 2-4 times per year)
- Full-time and part-time schedules considered
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
- 401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits
- Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave
- 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Mentoring and Career Development programs
- Research and Development group participation, and more
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We recruit, hire, develop, and promote employees based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions of our employees and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Join Fehr & Peers to provide legal counsel for a team empowered to collaborate, innovate, and develop creative transportation solutions that improve communities. Here, legal is a trusted partner to project managers, not a gatekeeper, and you’ll have real influence in managing risk while supporting the delivery of meaningful, impactful work.
We are a transportation planning and engineering firm with 24 offices and more than 400 staff nationwide. Since 1985, we have partnered with public, private, and institutional clients to design and plan safer, more effective ways for people and goods to move. Bringing together data, technology, and the experiences of the communities we serve, we help clients make confident, well-informed decisions.
We are seeking a talented and motivated attorney to join our two-person legal team within our Corporate Services group. Our legal team takes a consultative approach, offering clear advice, thoughtful solutions, and resources that help colleagues make informed decisions.
We value work-life balance. We also value giving staff members opportunities for skill development, growth, and mentorship. We provide competitive benefits, and the flexibility to seamlessly work both in the office and remotely.
Responsibilities
Contract Counsel:
- Review, edit, and negotiate a range of contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, teaming agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts
- Identify key risks in contracts and clearly explain those risks, legal concepts, and alternative approaches so technical staff can make informed business decisions
- Partner with project managers and business services staff to negotiate contracts with clients, teaming partners, and vendors
- Provide guidance on compliance matters, including conflicts of interests, confidentiality, and insurance requirements
- Manage intake and scheduling for contract review requests
Business Compliance and Support:
- Assist with business registrations and licensing in various jurisdictions
- Conduct legal research and make recommendations on a variety of topics relevant to our business
- Build your understanding of our technical services and the legal landscape for A&E firms, so your risk assessments and recommendations stay grounded in how the work actually gets done
Resource Management:
- Maintain and update legal resources such as contract templates, guidance documents, and internal training materials
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
- 3+ years of professional experience as an attorney with substantial experience reviewing and negotiating contracts
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, think critically through complex issues, and adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for explaining legal concepts and contract terms to our non-legal staff
- Strong attention to detail
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong internal relationships
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with a proven ability to independently balance multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines
- A collaborative mindset grounded in humility, strong listening skills, and a supportive approach to working with colleagues
- Curiosity and adaptability in leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to improve workflows, enhance analysis, and support efficient legal service delivery
- Ability to reliably work in the Roseville office at least two days per week. Ability to travel to our Walnut Creek office occasionally (usually 2-4 times per year)
- Full-time and part-time schedules considered
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
- 401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits
- Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave
- 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Mentoring and Career Development programs
- Research and Development group participation, and more
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We recruit, hire, develop, and promote employees based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions of our employees and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See all 2,341+ In House Counsel Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new In House Counsel roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding In House Counsel Jobs
Confirm your bar admission is in a U.S. jurisdiction
USCIS requires active U.S. bar membership to classify in-house counsel as a specialty occupation. Foreign-licensed attorneys need to pass a U.S. bar exam before most employers will initiate H-1B sponsorship for a legal role.
Target companies with established legal departments
Large corporations, financial institutions, and tech companies with dedicated legal teams sponsor in-house counsel far more consistently than small businesses. They have HR infrastructure, immigration counsel relationships, and budget to manage H-1B petitions and PERM labor certification.
Understand your practice area affects sponsorship willingness
Corporate, securities, IP, and compliance counsel roles attract more sponsorship offers than generalist positions. Employers filling specialized legal gaps are more motivated to sponsor because qualified candidates with the right combination of expertise and U.S. bar admission are genuinely scarce.
Factor in the H-1B lottery if you're not cap-exempt
Most in-house roles are cap-subject, meaning you need to win the H-1B lottery in April. Nonprofit and government legal departments are cap-exempt. If lottery odds concern you, explore O-1A eligibility based on published legal work, awards, or high-profile matters.
Ask about PERM sponsorship timing early in negotiations
Employers who sponsor in-house counsel for green cards typically begin PERM labor certification after one to two years. Clarifying this timeline during offer negotiations sets expectations and helps you plan around India or China priority date backlogs if applicable.
Highlight your area of law and specific deal or case experience
Generic legal resumes don't move sponsorship conversations forward. Employers need to justify specialty occupation to USCIS with a specific role description. Quantify transactions closed, regulatory matters handled, or compliance programs built to make the business case concrete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an in-house counsel role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in-house counsel consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role theoretically and practically requires a J.D. and U.S. bar admission. USCIS has approved thousands of H-1B visa petitions for corporate attorneys. The key is that the job description must make clear the position requires legal expertise in a specific practice area, not just general business judgment.
Do I need a U.S. law degree to get sponsored as in-house counsel?
Not necessarily a U.S. J.D., but you do need active admission to a U.S. state bar. Foreign-educated attorneys can satisfy this by passing the bar in jurisdictions that permit foreign law graduates to sit for the exam, such as New York or California. Your underlying law degree must still meet USCIS equivalency standards for the specialty occupation determination.
Which types of employers sponsor in-house counsel most frequently?
Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions, large technology firms, and pharmaceutical companies are the most consistent sponsors. These employers have recurring legal hiring needs, dedicated immigration budgets, and outside counsel relationships that make H-1B petitions routine. Smaller companies can and do sponsor, but the process is less established and approval timelines can be harder to predict. Browse in-house counsel roles with sponsorship on Migrate Mate to see which employers are actively hiring.
Can I switch employers on an H-1B as in-house counsel?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new employer as soon as the new H-1B petition is filed, without waiting for approval, as long as your previous H-1B was approved and your status has been maintained. Your new employer must file a new H-1B petition with the same specialty occupation documentation. Each employer sponsorship is independent, so PERM and green card progress does not transfer.
What green card path do most in-house counsel use?
Most in-house counsel pursue EB-2 through PERM labor certification, which requires the employer to conduct a supervised recruitment process proving no qualified U.S. worker is available. Attorneys with significant published legal scholarship, high-profile representations, or leadership in bar associations may qualify for EB-1A extraordinary ability or EB-1B outstanding researcher, which skip PERM entirely and move faster for applicants from backlogged countries.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored In House 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.