Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship possible
One solid signal, not two. Worth applying, and worth asking about sponsorship early.
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✓
Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 177 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first.
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The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
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No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area.
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✓
What Abbvie US LLC paid sponsored hires in similar roles1 certified filing for “ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, RA GLOBAL REGULATORY STRATEGY” (Regulatory Affairs Managers) in IL: $185k–$185k, median $185k.
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✓
Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
Details and sources
- Employer is on a government sponsor record
- The US Department of Labor certified 177 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- No salary bar for this route
- H-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Abbvie US LLC paid sponsored hires in similar roles
- 1 certified filing for “ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, RA GLOBAL REGULATORY STRATEGY” (Regulatory Affairs Managers) in IL: $185k–$185k, median $185k. Most were filed at wage level II (100%) — 2 lottery entries, ≈31% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
A verdict summarises public evidence. It is not legal advice and never a guarantee: the employer and the immigration authority decide. Sign in to factor in where you can already work.
About the role
AbbVie is searching for an in-house Associate General Counsel for our IP Strategy group, part of AbbVie’s Intellectual Property, Transactions, and Innovation legal team. This position will support AbbVie’s pharmaceutical products and be based in our offices in North Chicago, IL, South San Francisco, CA or Waltham, MA with a hybrid work model (on site 3+ days/week).
Acting individually and in cross-functional teams, the in-house Associate General Counsel will develop and implement intellectual property strategies for AbbVie’s products and product candidates.
Responsibilities:
• Generate and implement intellectual property strategies across a variety of therapeutic areas and technologies, including both large and small molecules
• Partner with IP Prosecution to draft, file, and prosecute strategically useful patent applications worldwide both directly and through management of outside counsel
• Work directly with scientists to generate novel intellectual property maximizing AbbVie’s competitive position
• Provide legal advice and counsel to cross-functional R&D and business teams on a variety of IP-related matters
• Challenge and defend patents in IPR, opposition, interference, and other post-grant proceedings
• JD degree from an accredited law school, state bar admission enabling in-house practice (specific state not required), and registration to practice before the USPTO
• 10+ years of experience practicing patent law as an attorney or patent agent at a law firm and/or life sciences company, including substantial U.S. and foreign patent prosecution
• Patent litigation experience is a significant plus
• Technical background relevant for pharmaceutical patent prosecution, such as:
• Experience with small molecule and/or biological pharmaceutical discovery & development, and/or
• Technical degree in relevant field, such as molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or biomedical engineering
• Strong legal, analytical, communication, collaboration, and people skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects to meet deadlines
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
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