Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Intellectual property attorneys are among the most consistently sponsored legal professionals in the U.S. Most roles require a J.D., bar admission, and a technical undergraduate degree. H-1B visa is the standard visa, though O-1A is viable for attorneys with publications, speaking engagements, or major case recognition. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition # 75977
Position Basics
Type of Position TENURE-TRACK
Advertising Ends on: Extended Until Position is Filled
Advertising Started on: Monday, June 22nd, 2026
College: Office of the Provost
Department: Center for Intellectual Freedom
Salary
Salary: $200,000.00 - $450,000.00
Position Details
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Position Description:
Director, Center for Intellectual Freedom, University of Iowa
The Iowa Board of Regents invites applications for the inaugural permanent Director of the Center for Intellectual Freedom (the Center or CIF). Established by the Iowa General Assembly through House File 437 (2025), the CIF is an independent academic center operating under the authority of the Iowa Board of Regents. The Director reports directly to the Board, not to University administration, and holds sole and exclusive authority over all CIF hiring and termination decisions. The Center is mandated to offer courses in American history and civil government to University of Iowa students, and is further required to coordinate with Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa to ensure those courses are available to students at those institutions as well. The Center may also offer other courses and develop certificates, majors, minors, and graduate programs. The Director will play a foundational role in building a nationally prominent center dedicated to free inquiry, constitutional thought, and civic education. Beginning in the 2028-29 academic year, House File 2800 (2026) requires all University of Iowa undergraduates to complete at least six credit hours of CIF course offerings as a condition of graduation, making the rapid and high-quality expansion of those offerings a central task for the incoming Director.
About the Center
The CIF mission, as codified in its bylaws and Iowa Code chapter 263C, is to educate students through free, open, and rigorous intellectual inquiry in pursuit of truth; equip students with the skills, habits, and dispositions of mind needed to reach their own informed conclusions on matters of social and political importance; enhance the intellectual diversity of the University; and foster a community of civil and free inquiry that respects the intellectual freedom of every member. The Center’s scholarship ranges from the foundational texts and debates of free societies and the principles of the American constitutional order to rigorous, objective inquiry into contemporary policy questions. The Director is assisted by a 26-member advisory council appointed by the Board of Regents.
Statutory Duties of the Director (Iowa Code § 263C.9)
The Director shall:
-
Have the sole and exclusive authority to recruit, hire, and terminate all CIF staff in accordance with state and federal law.
-
Have authority to invite guest speakers to the University on behalf of the Center.
-
Report directly to the Iowa Board of Regents, and
-
Plan, organize, and execute adjustments to the Center’s operations to comply with the HF 2800 (2026) graduation requirement of six credit hours for all University of Iowa undergraduates.
Compensation
This position is assigned to a Board of Regents Office paygrade 6, with an anticipated salary range of $200,000 to $450,000 commensurate with experience.
Application Materials
To ensure best consideration, applications should be received by Friday August 14, 2026, and must include:
- A curriculum vitae;
- A detailed letter explaining the applicant’s qualifications for the position and vision for the Center; and
- A list of five professional references. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant.
Applicants selected for initial interviews will be asked also to submit samples of their scholarly work. The search is conducted by the CIF Advisory Council and its Executive Committee, which will submit finalists to the Iowa Board of Regents for final appointment.
Application materials should be submitted in PDF format to info@iowaregents.edu. Applications will remain confidential through the semifinalist stage, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.
Please direct any questions regarding the application process to info@iowaregents.edu.
EEO Statement
The Iowa Board of Regents does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, status as a U.S. Veteran, or any other classification protected by law.
Education Requirement:
Education required for appointment with tenure at the rank of full professor at the University of Iowa.
Required Qualifications:
Academic record sufficient for tenure at the rank of full professor at the University of Iowa.
Research expertise in at least one of the Center’s core disciplines (classics, economics, history, law, philosophy, political thought, or quantitative political science), combined with a demonstrated ability to engage with academic literature across all of these fields.
An uncompromising commitment to academic freedom, unfettered and rigorous intellectual inquiry, and institutional neutrality, even in the face of countervailing pressures.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Online Application Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Interest
- List of Professional References (5)
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact Information
Contact: Mark J Braun - info@iowaregents.edu
Agen-Gen Univers
Jessup Hall
5 West Jefferson Street
224 JH
Iowa City, IA 52242-1316
Department URL: https://cif.uiowa.edu/
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
Requisition # 75977
Position Basics
Type of Position TENURE-TRACK
Advertising Ends on: Extended Until Position is Filled
Advertising Started on: Monday, June 22nd, 2026
College: Office of the Provost
Department: Center for Intellectual Freedom
Salary
Salary: $200,000.00 - $450,000.00
Position Details
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Position Description:
Director, Center for Intellectual Freedom, University of Iowa
The Iowa Board of Regents invites applications for the inaugural permanent Director of the Center for Intellectual Freedom (the Center or CIF). Established by the Iowa General Assembly through House File 437 (2025), the CIF is an independent academic center operating under the authority of the Iowa Board of Regents. The Director reports directly to the Board, not to University administration, and holds sole and exclusive authority over all CIF hiring and termination decisions. The Center is mandated to offer courses in American history and civil government to University of Iowa students, and is further required to coordinate with Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa to ensure those courses are available to students at those institutions as well. The Center may also offer other courses and develop certificates, majors, minors, and graduate programs. The Director will play a foundational role in building a nationally prominent center dedicated to free inquiry, constitutional thought, and civic education. Beginning in the 2028-29 academic year, House File 2800 (2026) requires all University of Iowa undergraduates to complete at least six credit hours of CIF course offerings as a condition of graduation, making the rapid and high-quality expansion of those offerings a central task for the incoming Director.
About the Center
The CIF mission, as codified in its bylaws and Iowa Code chapter 263C, is to educate students through free, open, and rigorous intellectual inquiry in pursuit of truth; equip students with the skills, habits, and dispositions of mind needed to reach their own informed conclusions on matters of social and political importance; enhance the intellectual diversity of the University; and foster a community of civil and free inquiry that respects the intellectual freedom of every member. The Center’s scholarship ranges from the foundational texts and debates of free societies and the principles of the American constitutional order to rigorous, objective inquiry into contemporary policy questions. The Director is assisted by a 26-member advisory council appointed by the Board of Regents.
Statutory Duties of the Director (Iowa Code § 263C.9)
The Director shall:
-
Have the sole and exclusive authority to recruit, hire, and terminate all CIF staff in accordance with state and federal law.
-
Have authority to invite guest speakers to the University on behalf of the Center.
-
Report directly to the Iowa Board of Regents, and
-
Plan, organize, and execute adjustments to the Center’s operations to comply with the HF 2800 (2026) graduation requirement of six credit hours for all University of Iowa undergraduates.
Compensation
This position is assigned to a Board of Regents Office paygrade 6, with an anticipated salary range of $200,000 to $450,000 commensurate with experience.
Application Materials
To ensure best consideration, applications should be received by Friday August 14, 2026, and must include:
- A curriculum vitae;
- A detailed letter explaining the applicant’s qualifications for the position and vision for the Center; and
- A list of five professional references. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant.
Applicants selected for initial interviews will be asked also to submit samples of their scholarly work. The search is conducted by the CIF Advisory Council and its Executive Committee, which will submit finalists to the Iowa Board of Regents for final appointment.
Application materials should be submitted in PDF format to info@iowaregents.edu. Applications will remain confidential through the semifinalist stage, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.
Please direct any questions regarding the application process to info@iowaregents.edu.
EEO Statement
The Iowa Board of Regents does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, status as a U.S. Veteran, or any other classification protected by law.
Education Requirement:
Education required for appointment with tenure at the rank of full professor at the University of Iowa.
Required Qualifications:
Academic record sufficient for tenure at the rank of full professor at the University of Iowa.
Research expertise in at least one of the Center’s core disciplines (classics, economics, history, law, philosophy, political thought, or quantitative political science), combined with a demonstrated ability to engage with academic literature across all of these fields.
An uncompromising commitment to academic freedom, unfettered and rigorous intellectual inquiry, and institutional neutrality, even in the face of countervailing pressures.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Online Application Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Interest
- List of Professional References (5)
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact Information
Contact: Mark J Braun - info@iowaregents.edu
Agen-Gen Univers
Jessup Hall
5 West Jefferson Street
224 JH
Iowa City, IA 52242-1316
Department URL: https://cif.uiowa.edu/
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
See all 2,177+ Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Intellectual Property Attorney roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Intellectual Property Attorney
Lead with your technical background
IP law firms and corporate legal teams sponsor because your engineering, chemistry, or biology degree is hard to replace. Highlight your undergraduate technical field prominently, it directly strengthens the specialty occupation argument for H-1B approval.
Target firms with an established PERM track record
Law firms that sponsor H-1B visas regularly are far more likely to also support green card sponsorship. Look for employers who have filed PERM applications previously, it signals a long-term investment in international attorneys, not just short-term hiring.
Bar admission timing affects your petition window
Most sponsors require active bar admission before filing your H-1B petition. If you're still waiting on bar results, discuss conditional offer structures with employers early, some firms will time the petition to your expected admission date.
USPTO registration opens more sponsorship doors
Patent prosecution roles require USPTO registration, which signals deep technical credibility to hiring managers. Registered patent attorneys and agents are sponsored more readily because the credential narrows the qualified candidate pool significantly, reducing employer hesitation.
Use O-1A if H-1B lottery is a concern
IP attorneys with published articles, expert witness experience, high-profile litigation wins, or bar leadership roles may qualify for O-1A. This cap-exempt visa bypasses the lottery entirely and is increasingly used by experienced attorneys as a strategic alternative.
Browse sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Not every firm openly advertises visa sponsorship. Migrate Mate filters specifically for employers willing to sponsor, saving you from applying to roles where sponsorship was never on the table. It is the most efficient starting point for IP attorney job searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do intellectual property attorneys qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Intellectual property law is a recognized specialty occupation under H-1B visa requirements, it requires a J.D. and typically a bachelor's degree in a technical field such as electrical engineering, chemistry, or biology. The dual-degree requirement actually strengthens the specialty occupation argument, making IP attorney H-1B petitions among the more straightforward legal approvals at USCIS.
Is a technical undergraduate degree required for IP attorney sponsorship?
For patent prosecution roles, yes, the USPTO requires a technical bachelor's degree in an approved field to sit for the patent bar, and most sponsors treat it as mandatory. For trademark or IP litigation roles, a J.D. alone may suffice. If your undergraduate degree is in a borderline field, a credentials evaluation from a NACES-member organization can help establish equivalency.
Can IP attorneys get sponsored for a green card, and how long does it take?
Most IP attorneys pursue green cards through the EB-2 category, which requires an advanced degree and a PERM labor certification filed by the employer. For Indian nationals, EB-2 backlogs currently extend many years due to per-country limits. Attorneys with exceptional recognition may qualify for EB-1A self-petition or EB-2 National Interest Waiver, which bypass PERM and employer sponsorship entirely.
Do law firms or in-house corporate legal teams sponsor more reliably?
Both sponsor regularly, but the structure differs. Large IP law firms, particularly those with patent prosecution practices, have established HR processes for H-1B and green card filings and often absorb legal fees themselves. In-house corporate roles at technology and pharmaceutical companies also sponsor frequently, but the process depends heavily on the company's immigration policy and whether they have dedicated immigration counsel on retainer.
Where can I find IP attorney jobs that explicitly offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this, it filters for employers actively willing to sponsor international candidates, so you're not wasting applications on firms that won't support visa holders. IP attorney roles across law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies appear on the platform, searchable by practice area and location.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Intellectual Property Attorney 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.