Professor of Law Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Professor of Law roles at U.S. law schools almost always qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, and many institutions are cap-exempt, meaning no lottery wait. Foreign law degrees, bar admissions, and scholarly publication records all factor into how employers document sponsorship eligibility with USCIS.
Find Professor of Law JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 44+ Professor of Law jobs
See all 44+ Professor of Law Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Professor of Law roles.
Get Access To All JobsPosition Type:
Full, Associate, Assistant Professor of Law
Position Type:
Regular
Salary Range:
Professor - $193,382-$214,854
Associate Professor - $170,000-$185,000
Assistant Professor - $149,384-$166,114
Purpose:
Santa Clara University School of Law welcomes applications from both entry-level and lateral tenure-track/tenured candidates in the fields of U.S. criminal law, criminal procedure and evidence. This search aims to build on our existing institutional expertise in criminal law, which encompasses scholarship, advocacy and pedagogy. Ideal applicants will have a demonstrated record of scholarship and a rigorous research agenda that reflects a commitment to expertise and a deep engagement with the field of U.S. criminal law. Applicants also should have a demonstrated record of excellence as a teacher. Successful candidates will be expected to teach at least one, and optimally two of these bar-tested subjects.
SCU’s faculty is small, vibrant and committed. We seek colleagues who share our dedication to supporting the needs of our diverse student body and are excited about using their experience and leadership skills to strengthen our criminal law program, along with our community and institution.
Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their interest in SCU law, detailing how their work might complement or deepen our program, how their work might be strengthened by joining our faculty, and any additional factors, including regional ties, that make them particularly interested in SCU. Finally, at SCU law, the guiding value of cura personalis (care for the whole person) informs our belief that each individual brings a unique perspective, shaped by their background and life experiences. Lawyers begin their professional trajectories in many different places, and our student body–indeed, our entire community–reflects an incredibly broad range of pathways into the profession. Please say a bit about your own journey, and how your identities and experiences shape the work you do as a scholar, and the leadership you hope to bring to our community. Refer any questions to Michelle Oberman (moberman@scu.edu), committee chair. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with preference given to those applying by January 1, 2027.
Santa Clara University is a private, Jesuit, Catholic university offering its 8,800 students rigorous undergraduate curricula, master’s, Ph.D., and law degrees. SCU Law, one of the nation’s most diverse law schools, is dedicated to educating lawyers who lead with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and justice. Santa Clara Law offers its 700+ students an academically rigorous program, including our innovative FlexJD, Public InterestJD and TechEdgeJD programs, along with numerous clinics, certificates and joint degree options. Applicants are invited to visit the Law School’s website for background on the Law School’s mission and scope of programs offered.
Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website.
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at hraccommodations@scu.edu or by phone at (408) 554-5750. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact hrservicedesk@scu.edu.
Position Type:
Full, Associate, Assistant Professor of Law
Position Type:
Regular
Salary Range:
Professor - $193,382-$214,854
Associate Professor - $170,000-$185,000
Assistant Professor - $149,384-$166,114
Purpose:
Santa Clara University School of Law welcomes applications from both entry-level and lateral tenure-track/tenured candidates in the fields of U.S. criminal law, criminal procedure and evidence. This search aims to build on our existing institutional expertise in criminal law, which encompasses scholarship, advocacy and pedagogy. Ideal applicants will have a demonstrated record of scholarship and a rigorous research agenda that reflects a commitment to expertise and a deep engagement with the field of U.S. criminal law. Applicants also should have a demonstrated record of excellence as a teacher. Successful candidates will be expected to teach at least one, and optimally two of these bar-tested subjects.
SCU’s faculty is small, vibrant and committed. We seek colleagues who share our dedication to supporting the needs of our diverse student body and are excited about using their experience and leadership skills to strengthen our criminal law program, along with our community and institution.
Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their interest in SCU law, detailing how their work might complement or deepen our program, how their work might be strengthened by joining our faculty, and any additional factors, including regional ties, that make them particularly interested in SCU. Finally, at SCU law, the guiding value of cura personalis (care for the whole person) informs our belief that each individual brings a unique perspective, shaped by their background and life experiences. Lawyers begin their professional trajectories in many different places, and our student body–indeed, our entire community–reflects an incredibly broad range of pathways into the profession. Please say a bit about your own journey, and how your identities and experiences shape the work you do as a scholar, and the leadership you hope to bring to our community. Refer any questions to Michelle Oberman (moberman@scu.edu), committee chair. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with preference given to those applying by January 1, 2027.
Santa Clara University is a private, Jesuit, Catholic university offering its 8,800 students rigorous undergraduate curricula, master’s, Ph.D., and law degrees. SCU Law, one of the nation’s most diverse law schools, is dedicated to educating lawyers who lead with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and justice. Santa Clara Law offers its 700+ students an academically rigorous program, including our innovative FlexJD, Public InterestJD and TechEdgeJD programs, along with numerous clinics, certificates and joint degree options. Applicants are invited to visit the Law School’s website for background on the Law School’s mission and scope of programs offered.
Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website.
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at hraccommodations@scu.edu or by phone at (408) 554-5750. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact hrservicedesk@scu.edu.
See all 44+ Professor of Law Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Professor of Law roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Professor of Law Jobs
Verify your foreign law degree equivalency
U.S. law schools sponsoring you for H-1B must establish your foreign J.D. or LL.B. as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's or higher. Get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member service before the offer stage so your employer's attorney isn't scrambling later.
Target cap-exempt law school employers
Accredited universities and their affiliated research centers are cap-exempt under H-1B rules, letting you bypass the annual lottery entirely. Focus your search on ABA-accredited law schools, which almost universally hold this status and can file at any time of year.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsors
Law school employers vary widely in how often they file H-1B petitions for faculty. Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA sponsorship history by role, so you can identify which institutions have an active track record before you apply.
Build a publication record before the PERM stage
If your employer pursues a green card through EB-2 or EB-3, PERM labor certification requires proving no qualified U.S. worker was available. A strong peer-reviewed publication record and distinctive scholarly focus help justify that the role is genuinely specialized to your qualifications.
Request the LCA wage level in writing early
DOL requires employers to pay H-1B workers the prevailing wage for the offered position. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the wage level for your specific law school location before negotiating, since Level I versus Level III determinations can differ significantly by metro area.
Clarify O*NET classification with your employer's attorney
Law professor roles appear under a specific O*NET classification that affects how the specialty occupation argument is constructed in the I-129 petition. Confirm early that your employer's attorney is using the correct occupational category, not a generic postsecondary teacher classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Professor of Law positions qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Yes. Law professor roles consistently qualify because they require at minimum a J.D. or equivalent advanced law degree in a directly related field. USCIS treats legal scholarship and instruction at the professional school level as a classic specialty occupation. Employers document this through the Labor Condition Application and the I-129 petition, citing the degree requirement as standard for the position.
Are law schools subject to the H-1B annual cap and lottery?
Most ABA-accredited law schools are cap-exempt because they qualify as institutions of higher education under the H-1B statute. This means your employer can file an I-129 petition with USCIS at any point in the year without waiting for the April lottery window. Confirm cap-exempt status directly with the institution's HR or legal team before assuming it applies.
Can a foreign law degree support an H-1B petition for a U.S. law school position?
Yes, but the employer must establish equivalency between your foreign credential and a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher in a related field. A foreign LL.B. or J.D. from a recognized law school typically satisfies this, often supported by a NACES-member credential evaluation report. Bar admission in a foreign jurisdiction and an LL.M. from a U.S. institution both strengthen the petition if your primary degree is not immediately equivalent.
What green card pathway do law professors typically use?
Most law school professors pursue an EB-2 green card, either through PERM labor certification or the National Interest Waiver. Faculty with a substantial publication record, named professorships, or recognized expertise in a specialized area of law often qualify for EB-2 NIW, which allows self-petition without a PERM filing. EB-1A extraordinary ability is also viable for well-published scholars with peer recognition and speaking invitations at major conferences.
Where can I find law school employers who actively sponsor visas?
Migrate Mate lists law school and university employers with verified H-1B LCA sponsorship history, searchable by role and location. This lets you focus applications on institutions that have an established track record of sponsoring faculty rather than those where sponsorship is uncertain or handled case by case.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Professor of Law 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.