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Let us know how that turns out but I really would be surprised if it turned out well.

I'm not going to look up their facts but my understanding is that they do almost exclusively litigation. It's always an uphill battle bidding for firms with a few partners and a handful of associates (don't know actual numbers) in your practice area of choice. They may be taking an associate in that area that year OR they could be taking none at all. So you can roll the dice I guess.

They may grill you on why not the other options in LA corp. Depending on the interviewer, compensation may not be the best response and location and reputation alone doesn't really distinguish them from stronger corporate players. If you really want to try maybe emphasize the other points you raised.

In other words, they may really emphasize the why Irell question--which it seems like you already appreciate will be the issue.

ETA: If you already have a CB you are probably doing something right, so maybe stick roughly to that.

They have like fifteen corporate attorneys listed on nalp compared to 100+ in litigation.

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I imagine it is not the best career move. It's (loosely) chambers bands and clients that matter when you are talking about career trajectory, not overall firm prestige, so I'm skeptical that Irell's all but non-existent corporate practice will give you anywhere close to the options that it's top shelf lit practice would. If it's growing it might be a risk/reward play, but there are other firms where your partnership chances and exit options are as bad/good and you don't have to risk it being a bust.


Also it is ballsy as hell to sell corporate to them on your impending callback. I would probably attempt to get the offer expressing interest in what they actually do and then if you do, going back and talking to them about corporate.