Top Law Schools

Let's say that there's a NY-centric firm that's known for its high-end litigation practice and does between 2/3 and 3/4 litigation. You're highly interested in the firm because they happen to be a NY firm whose transactional practice doesn't eclipse the litigation practice, and the litigation practice isn't a "let's fix our deals gone wrong" practice group.

Except, your interviewer is one of the 1/4 corporate or tax lawyers at the firm. What's the best way to tailor the response to not downplay the firm's corporate and tax departments, of which the interviewer is a hiring partner?

"Playing the interviewer" is the wrong attitude. The goal is to be personable and to sell yourself; it's not a competition or a game.

If you're interested in litigation say so (and have a good explanation, especially one that relates to your background and skillset). If you're interested in the firm because they have a strong litigation department, say that as well, regardless of what department the interviewer is in. You can mention the firm's great reputation for litigation, and you can name a recent case or two that you think sounds really interesting (have a reason), but don't talk about the relationship between the practice areas in the firm. There's too much of a risk that you don't know what you're talking about and that you'll come across as arrogant and presumptuous.