Legal Counsel Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Legal counsel professionals are sponsored through H-1B at AmLaw 100 firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Skadden, and through L-1 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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Medgar Evers College (CUNY), a four-year culturally diverse institution birthed out of the Black community of Central Brooklyn, is rooted in social justice, dedicated to increasing the upward mobility of its students and producing graduates who are civically engaged and prepared to provide leadership to address issues from local to global concern. It does so through Rigorous curricula, Innovative teaching and learning practices, Scholarship, and Experiential learning (RISE). The College is named after Medgar Wiley Evers, who was assassinated in 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi, advocating for the rights of others. He was truly a social justice warrior. The College seeks a dynamic leader with proven expertise in providing legal guidance on a wide range of challenging issues, including, but not limited to: litigation, employment and labor law, compliance and contractual agreements, governance, fundraising, and immigration. The Legal Counsel reports directly to the President and will have wide latitude for independent judgment. The Legal Counsel also serves as the College's campus Ethics Officer and Records Access Officer, and as the College’s liaison to the University's Office of Legal Affairs.
As Legal Counsel, Responsibilities Will Include
- Serving as senior legal advisor to the President and members of his Executive Cabinet.
- Providing legal support to all levels of Medgar Evers College management, faculty, and staff.
- Administration and interpretation of the University By-Laws, University and College policies and procedures, College governance charter, and various collective bargaining agreements.
- Providing legal opinions to the President, management, and employees on legal matters such as conflicts of interest, personnel issues, collections, intellectual property, and student and administrative issues.
- Negotiating, drafting, editing, and reviewing a wide range of proposed, pending, and renewal contracts, including agreements with donors, suppliers, and internal and external business partners.
- Responding to policy and procedural inquiries from various college, university, and government officials.
- Reviewing subpoenas and requests for information under the Public Information Act.
- Developing effective and persuasive legal and transactional correspondence and documents.
- Ensuring compliance with promotional and tenure standards and multiple position policy promulgated by the City University of New York.
- Providing time-sensitive reports and information to external sources such as the New York Commission on Public Integrity.
- Working with CUNY's Office of the General Counsel in managing and supporting litigation and administrative cases involving College officers, faculty, and employees.
- Assisting appropriate University, College, and other State and Federal officials in maintaining compliance with EEO, ADEA, ADA, Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX.
- Conducting investigations and advising on compliance issues.
- Performing other related duties as assigned by the President.
Qualifications
This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates must have a JD, be admitted to the N.Y. State Bar, and have at least eight years of related experience, preferably in a higher education environment. The successful candidate will have excellent communication, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and organizational skills as well as excellent judgment.
CUNY TITLE
Administrator
Compensation And Benefits
- Salary: $163,000 - $171,360
Salary commensurate with education and experience. CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
How To Apply
To apply, go to www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID 17809 or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.
CLOSING DATE
Open until filled with review of resumes to begin on 03/27/2026
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Executive
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 31731
Location: Medgar Evers College
POSITION DETAILS
Medgar Evers College (CUNY), a four-year culturally diverse institution birthed out of the Black community of Central Brooklyn, is rooted in social justice, dedicated to increasing the upward mobility of its students and producing graduates who are civically engaged and prepared to provide leadership to address issues from local to global concern. It does so through Rigorous curricula, Innovative teaching and learning practices, Scholarship, and Experiential learning (RISE). The College is named after Medgar Wiley Evers, who was assassinated in 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi, advocating for the rights of others. He was truly a social justice warrior. The College seeks a dynamic leader with proven expertise in providing legal guidance on a wide range of challenging issues, including, but not limited to: litigation, employment and labor law, compliance and contractual agreements, governance, fundraising, and immigration. The Legal Counsel reports directly to the President and will have wide latitude for independent judgment. The Legal Counsel also serves as the College's campus Ethics Officer and Records Access Officer, and as the College’s liaison to the University's Office of Legal Affairs.
As Legal Counsel, Responsibilities Will Include
- Serving as senior legal advisor to the President and members of his Executive Cabinet.
- Providing legal support to all levels of Medgar Evers College management, faculty, and staff.
- Administration and interpretation of the University By-Laws, University and College policies and procedures, College governance charter, and various collective bargaining agreements.
- Providing legal opinions to the President, management, and employees on legal matters such as conflicts of interest, personnel issues, collections, intellectual property, and student and administrative issues.
- Negotiating, drafting, editing, and reviewing a wide range of proposed, pending, and renewal contracts, including agreements with donors, suppliers, and internal and external business partners.
- Responding to policy and procedural inquiries from various college, university, and government officials.
- Reviewing subpoenas and requests for information under the Public Information Act.
- Developing effective and persuasive legal and transactional correspondence and documents.
- Ensuring compliance with promotional and tenure standards and multiple position policy promulgated by the City University of New York.
- Providing time-sensitive reports and information to external sources such as the New York Commission on Public Integrity.
- Working with CUNY's Office of the General Counsel in managing and supporting litigation and administrative cases involving College officers, faculty, and employees.
- Assisting appropriate University, College, and other State and Federal officials in maintaining compliance with EEO, ADEA, ADA, Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX.
- Conducting investigations and advising on compliance issues.
- Performing other related duties as assigned by the President.
Qualifications
This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates must have a JD, be admitted to the N.Y. State Bar, and have at least eight years of related experience, preferably in a higher education environment. The successful candidate will have excellent communication, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and organizational skills as well as excellent judgment.
CUNY TITLE
Administrator
Compensation And Benefits
- Salary: $163,000 - $171,360
Salary commensurate with education and experience. CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
How To Apply
To apply, go to www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID 17809 or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.
CLOSING DATE
Open until filled with review of resumes to begin on 03/27/2026
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Executive
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 31731
Location: Medgar Evers College
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Legal Counsel
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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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 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 is used for attorneys with extraordinary ability in their practice area. E-3 is available for Australian nationals with bar admission. TN 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.
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.
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