Japanese-speaking Immigration Paralegal

About the role

The team manages business immigration case work, supported by a paralegal who handles document analysis and application preparation. This role focuses on Japanese-speaking client needs within non-immigrant and immigrant visa processes.

Legal roles protect a company against risk while keeping business moving. Lawyers advise on contracts, deals, and disputes. Compliance teams make sure the company follows the rules that apply to it. Paralegals keep the paperwork, filings, and deadlines in order. Precision and judgment are the core skills. Legal teams manage risk while enabling deals and launches. Most work is deadline driven, and confidentiality is a constant requirement.

Key facts

What you'll do

Applications are prepared using USCSI and consular processes such as DS160, with case status and document details communicated in Japanese and English to clients, beneficiaries, attorneys, and other stakeholders. Case dockets are owned independently to maintain timely communication and clear updates with all parties. Japanese-language documents are reviewed to confirm accuracy in correspondence and case materials. Immigration developments are monitored continuously so the team can respond promptly to changes. Additional tasks are completed as assigned to support practice needs.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree or equivalent training, education, and experience is required as the baseline qualification. Fluency in Japanese and English with strong written and verbal skills in both languages is mandatory for effective interaction. Demonstrated experience preparing business immigration applications using USCSI and consular processing is required, including understanding of visa petitions such as E1/E2, L1A/L1B, L Blanket, H, L, TN, OP, PERM, I-140, and AOS. Experience with other types of immigration matters is preferred as an additional capability. Multitasking and time management skills are necessary to perform in a high-volume environment. Detail-oriented organization and independent work meeting deadlines are essential for case integrity. Strong communication skills enable collaboration with diverse professionals across teams and stakeholders.

Practical notes

This role is based in South Bend and requires compliance with the firm's equal employment policy. External recruiters are not considered for this position. Typical interview steps

Legal interviews usually include a contract review exercise, a compliance scenario, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to flag issues in a sample agreement or explain a regulatory question. Past experience with specific practice areas carries the most weight. Interviewers often present a sample contract and ask what you would flag. Working through it out loud, risk by risk, is the strongest approach.

Good to know

Business immigration roles center on petitions, applications, and procedural accuracy. Legal teams depend on precise document review and clear client communication. Case management platforms support workflows and immigration processes. Professional growth is common in structured legal environments where cross-lingual skills serve specific client needs. Attention to detail remains essential for consular processing and USCIS procedures.

Questions to ask

Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.

Career growth

Legal careers grow from associate to senior counsel, general counsel, and chief legal officer roles. Compliance specialists can move into risk or governance leadership. Specialization by practice area, from employment law to corporate transactions, is common. Legal careers reward precision and commercial awareness. In-house roles value speed and judgment over exhaustive analysis.

About the company

Barnes & Thornburg LLP is seeking a motivated attorney with international trade experience to join our Washington, D. C. office.