Senior Counsel​/Assistant Vice President of Legal Affairs Business Immigration Attorney Healthcare

Senior Counsel / Assistant Vice President of Legal Affairs – Business Immigration Attorney (Healthcare)

Job Title:

Senior Counsel

Location:

95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, NJ 07052 (Hybrid Work Schedule Available)

Department:
General Counsel Office

Req #:

Status:
Full-Time, Salaried

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $ - $ per year

RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey's largest integrated academic healthcare system, seeks a highly skilled and experienced Business Immigration Attorney to provide comprehensive legal counsel and strategic guidance on all immigration-related matters affecting our large, complex healthcare system.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring compliance with constantly evolving immigration laws and regulations, completing and filing sponsorship applications, facilitating the smooth integration of international healthcare talent, educating clients on the latest changes in immigration law and the I-9 verification process, and supporting our mission to provide high-quality patient care.

This attorney will serve as a strategic legal advisor to departments across the enterprise including HR, Nursing, Research, Finance, Compliance, Business Development and our Medical Group ensuring full legal and regulatory compliance in connection with our recruitment and retention efforts.

A minimum of 7-10 years of relevant and direct legal experience is required, ideally within an academic medical center, government agency, or law firm with experience advising all aspects of business immigration with a heavy focus on physician groups and hospital systems.

• Assistant General Counsel / Vice President of Legal Affairs

• License to practice law in the State of New Jersey or eligibility for in‑house counsel licensure in NJ, with a very strong understanding of federal immigration law.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of legal experience, with a strong background in business immigration and healthcare systems.
• Extensive experience in completing and filing visa and J1 waiver applications, including CONRAD
  30 waivers.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200, FAR, and sponsor‑specific funding regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex legal issues involving regulatory compliance and institutional risk management.
• Exceptional communication skills and organizational rigor.
• Impeccable attention to detail and ability to manage large volumes of complex arrangements and regulatory obligations.
• Proven ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities within a fast‑paced environment.

• Prior in‑house counsel experience at an academic medical center or healthcare system.

• Provide expert advice on immigration law and policy, particularly as it relates to physicians, nurses, medical researchers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Manage a high volume of employment‑based immigrant and non‑immigrant visa petitions (e.g., J1 waivers, H‑1B, O‑1, EB‑1, EB‑2, EB‑3 for a diverse range of healthcare staff).
• Complete and file all visa petitions, appeals, and J1 waiver applications.
• Develop and implement immigration strategies aligned with the needs of the healthcare system, including workforce planning, recruitment, and retention of foreign‑born medical professionals.
• Conduct internal audits and ensure compliance with I‑9 regulations, PERM labor certification requirements, and other federal and state laws relevant to the employment of foreign nationals.
• Represent the healthcare system before government agencies such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Labor, and the Department of State.
• Offer counsel on complex immigration matters, including issues related to mergers and acquisitions involving healthcare entities, change of status requests, and appeals.
• Develop and deliver training to stakeholders on immigration law and compliance.
• Monitor changes in immigration laws, regulations, and policies, providing timely updates and recommendations to the legal and leadership teams.
• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, including HR, recruitment, and department leaders to ensure a seamless…