Legal Counsel Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Legal counsel professionals are sponsored through H-1B visa at AmLaw 100 firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Skadden, and through L-1 visa transfers at multinational firms like Baker McKenzie and DLA Piper. Practicing U.S. law requires bar admission, which for foreign-trained lawyers typically means completing an LL.M. and passing a state bar exam.
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At Recurrent Energy, our mission is to power the world with solar energy and create a better and cleaner Earth for future generations. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., we are a leading global developer, owner, operator, and asset manager of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects.
Through Recurrent Energy Power Services, we provide operations, maintenance, monitoring, engineering, and asset management services that support renewable energy facilities across North America.
With a proven track record spanning six continents, Recurrent Energy brings together experts across every stage of the renewable energy lifecycle, from project origination, development, financing, and construction to operations, maintenance, and long-term asset management. Our work is helping shape a cleaner, more resilient energy future worldwide.
Backed by the innovation, strength, and global reach of Canadian Solar, we are helping accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future while creating meaningful opportunities for our employees to grow, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Guided by our values of Trust, Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, and Inclusiveness, we are building a cleaner world for generations to come.
If you're passionate about renewable energy and driven to make a difference, join Recurrent Energy to power the world with clean energy and create a better, cleaner future for generations to come.
Recurrent Energy is one of the world's largest and most geographically diversified utility-scale solar and energy storage project development, ownership, and O&M platforms. Recurrent Energy is focused on bringing low-cost clean energy and meaningful economic development to communities across the globe.
With a strong track record of originating, developing, financing, and completing nearly 11 GWp of solar and 3.7 GWh of battery storage power plants across six continents, Recurrent Energy has established a leadership position in both solar and battery storage project development. We have 26GWp of solar and 66 GWh of battery storage project under development and globally we have more than 12 GWp of contracted projects under long-term operation and maintenance agreements.
At Recurrent Energy, we believe in the power of teamwork to create a sustainable future. Join us as we work together toward a cleaner, greener tomorrow!
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate General Counsel / Legal Leadership, the Senior Legal Counsel, Project Finance will be a key member of Recurrent Energy’s North America Legal Team and a trusted legal partner to the business. The role will have primary responsibility for project finance transactions supporting utility-scale solar, battery energy storage and related clean-energy assets in the United States. The Senior Legal Counsel will advise financings from structuring and diligence through documentation, negotiation, signing, closing and post-closing compliance, partnering closely with Project Finance, Finance, Tax, Treasury, Project Development, Construction and other functions. The ideal candidate combines sophisticated financing expertise with pragmatic, commercially focused judgment and can translate complex legal and financial issues into clear, actionable advice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead and execute legal workstreams for project financing activities, including construction debt, term debt, back-leverage and other secured debt, tax equity, tax credit transfer transactions, letter of credit facilities and portfolio or corporate financing arrangements.
- Draft, review and negotiate credit agreements, loan and security documents, collateral documents, intercreditor and subordination agreements, guarantees, equity contribution agreements, tax equity and tax credit transfer documents, consents, certificates and other financing and closing deliverables.
- Lead, coordinate and synthesize legal due diligence across corporate, real estate, permitting, environmental, interconnection, offtake, EPC/construction, equipment supply, operations, insurance and regulatory matters; identify financeability issues and develop practical risk-mitigation strategies.
- Advise business teams on financing structures, conditions precedent, covenants, representations, defaults and remedies, collateral arrangements, cash-management mechanics, risk allocation and ongoing compliance obligations.
- Partner with Project Finance, Tax, Treasury and Finance teams on transaction structuring and execution, including tax equity and transferable tax credit structures and interfaces between financing documents and project contracts.
- Coordinate internal approvals, transaction checklists, signing and closing deliverables, funding conditions and post-closing matters to support efficient and timely execution.
- Interact directly with lenders, institutional investors, tax equity investors, tax credit buyers, agents, trustees, title companies and other counterparties and advisers.
- Manage outside counsel and specialist advisers with disciplined oversight of scope, timing, quality and legal spend.
- Develop and continuously improve project finance templates, precedent libraries, diligence standards, playbooks and transaction processes; provide support on related project development, corporate, governance and strategic matters as business needs evolve.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
- Generally 6+ years of substantial transactional legal experience, preferably gained in a leading project finance practice, sophisticated in-house legal department, or a combination of both. Candidates with deeper experience are encouraged to apply.
- Substantial experience structuring, drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex project finance or secured lending transactions and managing transaction workstreams through closing.
- Working knowledge of project finance structures and secured lending; experience with tax equity and/or tax credit transfer transactions is strongly valued.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the judgment to identify material financeability risks and recommend commercially workable solutions.
- Ability to manage multiple transactions and priorities independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal oversight while maintaining strong attention to detail, responsiveness and accountability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financing structures, legal risks and recommendations clearly to business partners and senior leadership.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Renewable energy, power, infrastructure or other project-based financing experience is a strong asset.
- Familiarity with utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects, including construction debt, term debt, tax equity, tax credit transfers, portfolio financings and related project documentation.
- Experience with key project agreements that underpin financeability, including power purchase/offtake, interconnection, EPC/construction, equipment supply, real estate/site control and O&M agreements.
- Experience partnering directly with project finance, finance, tax, treasury, development and investment teams and with sophisticated lenders and investors.
CAPABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Pragmatic, commercially oriented legal judgment and a strong ownership mindset.
- Strong financial and transaction fluency, with the ability to understand deal economics and connect legal terms to commercial outcomes.
- Collaborative, responsive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to build trusted relationships across functions and with financing counterparties.
- High standards of integrity, discretion and confidentiality; comfortable operating in ambiguity, prioritizing changing demands and driving transactions forward.
COMPENSATION
Recurrent Energy offers a competitive salary plus fully comprehensive benefits and performance bonus package based on an annual objective achievement. Our generous benefits package includes a 401(k) Retirement Plan, medical/dental/life/disability program, PTO.
LOCATION
Location: Austin, TX or Remote U.S.
Recurrent Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
INTRODUCTION
At Recurrent Energy, our mission is to power the world with solar energy and create a better and cleaner Earth for future generations. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., we are a leading global developer, owner, operator, and asset manager of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects.
Through Recurrent Energy Power Services, we provide operations, maintenance, monitoring, engineering, and asset management services that support renewable energy facilities across North America.
With a proven track record spanning six continents, Recurrent Energy brings together experts across every stage of the renewable energy lifecycle, from project origination, development, financing, and construction to operations, maintenance, and long-term asset management. Our work is helping shape a cleaner, more resilient energy future worldwide.
Backed by the innovation, strength, and global reach of Canadian Solar, we are helping accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future while creating meaningful opportunities for our employees to grow, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Guided by our values of Trust, Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, and Inclusiveness, we are building a cleaner world for generations to come.
If you're passionate about renewable energy and driven to make a difference, join Recurrent Energy to power the world with clean energy and create a better, cleaner future for generations to come.
Recurrent Energy is one of the world's largest and most geographically diversified utility-scale solar and energy storage project development, ownership, and O&M platforms. Recurrent Energy is focused on bringing low-cost clean energy and meaningful economic development to communities across the globe.
With a strong track record of originating, developing, financing, and completing nearly 11 GWp of solar and 3.7 GWh of battery storage power plants across six continents, Recurrent Energy has established a leadership position in both solar and battery storage project development. We have 26GWp of solar and 66 GWh of battery storage project under development and globally we have more than 12 GWp of contracted projects under long-term operation and maintenance agreements.
At Recurrent Energy, we believe in the power of teamwork to create a sustainable future. Join us as we work together toward a cleaner, greener tomorrow!
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate General Counsel / Legal Leadership, the Senior Legal Counsel, Project Finance will be a key member of Recurrent Energy’s North America Legal Team and a trusted legal partner to the business. The role will have primary responsibility for project finance transactions supporting utility-scale solar, battery energy storage and related clean-energy assets in the United States. The Senior Legal Counsel will advise financings from structuring and diligence through documentation, negotiation, signing, closing and post-closing compliance, partnering closely with Project Finance, Finance, Tax, Treasury, Project Development, Construction and other functions. The ideal candidate combines sophisticated financing expertise with pragmatic, commercially focused judgment and can translate complex legal and financial issues into clear, actionable advice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead and execute legal workstreams for project financing activities, including construction debt, term debt, back-leverage and other secured debt, tax equity, tax credit transfer transactions, letter of credit facilities and portfolio or corporate financing arrangements.
- Draft, review and negotiate credit agreements, loan and security documents, collateral documents, intercreditor and subordination agreements, guarantees, equity contribution agreements, tax equity and tax credit transfer documents, consents, certificates and other financing and closing deliverables.
- Lead, coordinate and synthesize legal due diligence across corporate, real estate, permitting, environmental, interconnection, offtake, EPC/construction, equipment supply, operations, insurance and regulatory matters; identify financeability issues and develop practical risk-mitigation strategies.
- Advise business teams on financing structures, conditions precedent, covenants, representations, defaults and remedies, collateral arrangements, cash-management mechanics, risk allocation and ongoing compliance obligations.
- Partner with Project Finance, Tax, Treasury and Finance teams on transaction structuring and execution, including tax equity and transferable tax credit structures and interfaces between financing documents and project contracts.
- Coordinate internal approvals, transaction checklists, signing and closing deliverables, funding conditions and post-closing matters to support efficient and timely execution.
- Interact directly with lenders, institutional investors, tax equity investors, tax credit buyers, agents, trustees, title companies and other counterparties and advisers.
- Manage outside counsel and specialist advisers with disciplined oversight of scope, timing, quality and legal spend.
- Develop and continuously improve project finance templates, precedent libraries, diligence standards, playbooks and transaction processes; provide support on related project development, corporate, governance and strategic matters as business needs evolve.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
- Generally 6+ years of substantial transactional legal experience, preferably gained in a leading project finance practice, sophisticated in-house legal department, or a combination of both. Candidates with deeper experience are encouraged to apply.
- Substantial experience structuring, drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex project finance or secured lending transactions and managing transaction workstreams through closing.
- Working knowledge of project finance structures and secured lending; experience with tax equity and/or tax credit transfer transactions is strongly valued.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the judgment to identify material financeability risks and recommend commercially workable solutions.
- Ability to manage multiple transactions and priorities independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal oversight while maintaining strong attention to detail, responsiveness and accountability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financing structures, legal risks and recommendations clearly to business partners and senior leadership.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Renewable energy, power, infrastructure or other project-based financing experience is a strong asset.
- Familiarity with utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects, including construction debt, term debt, tax equity, tax credit transfers, portfolio financings and related project documentation.
- Experience with key project agreements that underpin financeability, including power purchase/offtake, interconnection, EPC/construction, equipment supply, real estate/site control and O&M agreements.
- Experience partnering directly with project finance, finance, tax, treasury, development and investment teams and with sophisticated lenders and investors.
CAPABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Pragmatic, commercially oriented legal judgment and a strong ownership mindset.
- Strong financial and transaction fluency, with the ability to understand deal economics and connect legal terms to commercial outcomes.
- Collaborative, responsive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to build trusted relationships across functions and with financing counterparties.
- High standards of integrity, discretion and confidentiality; comfortable operating in ambiguity, prioritizing changing demands and driving transactions forward.
COMPENSATION
Recurrent Energy offers a competitive salary plus fully comprehensive benefits and performance bonus package based on an annual objective achievement. Our generous benefits package includes a 401(k) Retirement Plan, medical/dental/life/disability program, PTO.
LOCATION
Location: Austin, TX or Remote U.S.
Recurrent Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
See all 165+ Legal Counsel Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Legal Counsel Jobs
Complete an LL.M. at a Top U.S. Law School
An LL.M. from NYU, Columbia, Harvard, Georgetown, or Berkeley opens the pathway to bar admission and provides access to law firm recruiting pipelines that lead to H-1B sponsorship. These programs have established relationships with AmLaw 100 firms that recruit LL.M. graduates for associate positions.
Target International Practice Groups at Large Firms
AmLaw 100 firms with cross-border M&A, international arbitration, and trade practices actively seek attorneys with foreign legal training and language skills. Baker McKenzie, White & Case, Freshfields, and Cleary Gottlieb specifically recruit LL.M. graduates with dual-jurisdiction expertise. Your foreign law knowledge is a competitive advantage in these groups.
Use Multinational Firm L-1 Transfers
If you practice at Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy, or Linklaters, transferring to the U.S. office on L-1 avoids the H-1B lottery and leverages your existing firm relationships. Build at least one year of strong performance in a practice area with U.S. client overlap before requesting the transfer.
New York and California Allow Foreign-Educated Bar Applicants
New York permits foreign-educated lawyers with an LL.M. to sit for the bar exam without a J.D. California has similar provisions. Washington D.C. allows admission based on reciprocity in certain circumstances. Choose your LL.M. program and bar jurisdiction strategically based on which state's admission rules best fit your educational background.
In-House Tech Roles Offer Higher Total Compensation
Corporate legal departments at Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft sponsor in-house counsel for commercial contracts, product counsel, privacy, and IP roles. Total compensation at these companies ($180,000 to $350,000) often exceeds law firm pay when equity is included. Target in-house roles after gaining 3 to 5 years of law firm experience and bar admission.
IP and Patent Law Commands a Premium for Technical Degrees
If you hold both a law degree and a technical degree in engineering, computer science, or life sciences, patent prosecution and IP litigation roles are among the highest-paid and most sponsorship-friendly legal positions. The USPTO patent bar requires a technical degree, which creates a natural barrier that limits domestic competition and strengthens employer motivation to sponsor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical salary for sponsored Legal Counsel roles in the U.S.?
First-year associates at top law firms (AmLaw 100) earn $225,000 in base salary with bonuses pushing total compensation to $250,000 to $300,000. Mid-level associates earn $300,000 to $420,000. In-house counsel at technology companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta earn $180,000 to $350,000 in total compensation. General counsel and deputy GC roles at large companies pay $300,000 to $600,000 or more. Smaller firms and regional practices pay significantly less, with associates starting at $80,000 to $150,000.
Which visa types do Legal Counsel professionals typically use?
H-1B visa is the primary pathway for attorneys with J.D. or LL.M. degrees and U.S. bar admission, with strong specialty occupation classification. L-1 intracompany transfers are common at multinational law firms like Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, and Clifford Chance that move lawyers between international offices. O-1 visa is used for attorneys with extraordinary ability in their practice area. E-3 visa is available for Australian nationals with bar admission. TN visa availability is limited because Lawyer is not a standard USMCA profession.
What types of employers sponsor Legal Counsel?
AmLaw 100 law firms are the most frequent sponsors, including Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Skadden, Davis Polk, and Sullivan & Cromwell. Multinational firms like Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, and Clifford Chance sponsor through both H-1B and L-1. Corporate legal departments at Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, and Fortune 500 companies sponsor in-house counsel. Big Four firms sponsor for tax law and legal advisory roles. Boutique firms specializing in international trade, IP, or immigration law also sponsor.
How to find Legal Counsel jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Legal Counsel jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international legal professionals with employers offering H-1B, O-1, and other work visas. Focus on multinational corporations, tech companies, financial institutions, and large law firms that regularly sponsor foreign attorneys. These employers typically have established immigration processes and actively recruit international legal talent for corporate counsel, compliance, and specialized legal advisory roles.
Do I need U.S. bar admission to be sponsored as Legal Counsel?
For roles involving the practice of U.S. law, yes. Most attorney positions require admission to a state bar, which for foreign-trained lawyers typically means completing an LL.M. at a U.S. law school and passing a state bar exam. New York and California are the most common states for foreign-educated attorneys to seek admission. Some legal advisory roles that do not involve practicing U.S. law (international arbitration, foreign law advisory) may not require bar admission.
What is the most common pathway for foreign-trained lawyers to work in the U.S.?
The established pathway is completing an LL.M. at a U.S. law school (typically one year), sitting for the bar exam in a state that permits foreign-educated lawyers (New York, California, D.C.), obtaining bar admission, and then securing H-1B sponsorship from a law firm or corporate legal department. Many LL.M. graduates work on OPT during their first year after the program while studying for and passing the bar exam. Top LL.M. programs at NYU, Columbia, Harvard, Georgetown, and Berkeley have the strongest placement rates at sponsoring firms.