Business Immigration Attorney (Off-track Associate Attorney)

Baker McKenzie International; Washington (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Baker & McKenzie seeks a business immigration attorney to join the Employment & Compensation Practice Group in our Chicago (preferred) or Washington, D.C. office to work on U.S. and global immigration matters.

This is an off-track associate attorney position. The candidate must have 1–3 years of US business immigration experience, be admitted to the Illinois or DC bar, and provide a writing sample. Base compensation ranges $140,000–$155,000 annually for Illinois locations, bonus eligibility

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of US business immigration experience required.
• Must provide a writing sample and be admitted to and in good standing with the Illinois or Washington, DC bar.

Responsibilities

• Draft and assemble employer sponsored visa petitions, including NIV and IV petitions, RFE responses, and motions.
• Support the PERM Labor Certification process.
• Prepare first drafts of client communications for day-to-day counseling.
• Track and analyze client documentation for evidentiary standards in NIV/IV cases.
• Use internal case management tools to manage multiple assignments.
• Stay current on agency guidance, policy changes, and evolving immigration law.

Skills

US business immigration experience

Client service minded

Analytical & organizational skills

Education

Bar admission (Illinois or DC)

Job description

Baker & McKenzie seeks a business immigration attorney to join the Employment & Compensation Practice Group in our Chicago (preferred) or Washington, D.C. office to work on U.S. and global immigration matters. This is an off-track associate attorney position.

• Draft and assemble employer sponsored visa petitions, including more complex NIV and IV petitions, RFE responses, and motions.
• Support the PERM Labor Certification process.
• Prepare first drafts of client communication to support more senior Associates and Partners in day-to-day client counseling.
• Track and analyze documentation provided by clients to ascertain whether it meets evidentiary standard relevant to common NIV and IV cases.
• Use internal case management tools to manage multiple assignments.
• Stay current on agency guidance, policy changes, and emerging legislation and assess its impact on our clients’ businesses.

The candidate must be client service minded and have exceptional analytical, organizational, and case management skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the flexibility to handle a wide range of tasks concurrently. Top academic credentials, strong analytical ability, and excellent communication and writing skills required.

One to three years of US business immigration experience is required. Global immigration experience is a plus. Must provide a writing sample and be admitted to and a member in good standing of the Illinois or Washington, D.C. bar.

This position is bonus eligible and includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) based on number of hours worked. The US base compensation for this position is expected to be $140,000 to $155,000 annually if located in an office in the state of Illinois. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Moving employees across borders quickly and within budget is a formidable task considering the immigration and visa requirements, tax and social security implications, data privacy mandates, employment rules, stock benefits and compensation issues, and FCPA restrictions. But having the ability to mobilize talent is essential to the success of today's global businesses. With immigration and mobility lawyers across the world's major business centers, Baker McKenzie’s Global Immigration & Mobility team has been helping leading companies in the financial services, technology, defense, manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality industries get their people where they need them for over 60 years. In an environment of greater immigration law enforcement and stiffer penalties, we design, implement and manage global mobility programs that address all of the legal and administrative issues and help clients avoid the pitfalls of international personnel transfers. We also advise multinational employers on related tax, social security, employee benefits and compensation issues, as well as local employment law compliance. Our coordinated approach to international transfers helps ensure the enforceability of our clients' executive agreements and policies while incorporating tax planning and reporting requirements.

About us

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world‑class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

Additional Information

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. Should candidates require any reasonable adjustments and/or accommodations when applying to or interviewing with our Firm, please notify [e-mail]

Pay Transparency

• This position is bonus eligible and includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) based on number of hours worked.
• The US base compensation for this position is expected to be $140,000 to $155,000 (annually) if located in an office in the state of Illinois. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
• California notice: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories (arrest and conviction records), in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.