Be Yourself. Think Big. Dive In.
At Irell, being yourself isn’t just welcomed—it’s celebrated. We’re a team of thoughtful, driven people, each bringing our own story, perspective and passion to the work we do. What ties us together? A shared love for the law and a deep commitment to solving complex problems for our clients. We don’t expect anyone to fit a mold here. In fact, we’re better because we don’t.
You’ll notice pretty quickly that even our hallway chatter tends to veer into discussions of novel legal issues or ongoing case developments. That’s not forced—it’s just who we are. We like talking about what we do, and we’ve built an environment where thoughtful debate and ongoing learning are part of daily life. Our weekly training sessions, usually led by associates, dig into the legal and real-world topics shaping our practice. If you’ve got a curious mind, you’ll feel right at home.
We know that every attorney brings something unique to the table. At Irell, you get to explore what interests you, build a practice around your strengths and chart your own course. We foster an entrepreneurial approach to attorney development. Attorneys are able to choose their matters either through their own business development efforts or through work coordination assistance. This allows our people to showcase their abilities, irrespective of seniority level, and nurture their interests.
Our matters are staffed leanly on purpose. It means real responsibility from day one and real opportunities to shine. You’ll work side-by-side with some of the best in the business—and they’ll be counting on you to bring your A-game.
And here’s the best part: our partners care. They invest in mentoring, they trust associates with big assignments and they create space for you to lead. That’s why Irell associates grow quickly and are eligible for partnership consideration in their eighth year.
We believe the best lawyers are the ones who feel comfortable being themselves. We celebrate individuality, creativity and initiative. If you’ve got a big idea or a better way to do something, speak up. Our size lets us be nimble and open-minded—and we like it that way.
We Work With People We Actually Like (A Lot)
One of the best things about Irell? The people. We’re a tight-knit bunch who genuinely enjoy practicing law and spending time together. Those bonds start early—many during our summer program—and they often last for years, whether inside the firm or across the legal community.
To keep those connections strong, we make space for fun. Think regular happy hours, lunch talks, firm retreats, holiday parties, alumni get-togethers and celebrations that always have a few surprises. It’s a big part of what makes Irell feel more like a community than just a workplace.
We’re proud of the unique paths our attorneys take to get here. Many of us had other careers before law school, some have traveled the world, others have started their own businesses, and quite a few hold advanced or scientific degrees. What we share is a deep respect for excellence at all levels. Our firm is full of musicians, photographers, runners, volunteers and board members. At Irell, your passions outside of the law are seen as part of what makes you great at it.
Mentorship is a core part of life here, starting with the summer program. Every summer associate is paired with a mentor (usually an associate) and those relationships often carry on long after the summer ends. Because our associates get real responsibility early on, they’re quick to turn around and help guide the next generation. They’re also key drivers of our weekly training programs. Click the link to learn more about our mentoring programs.
We also believe in using our skills to help people who need it the most. Pro bono work is something we take seriously—and personally. Irell is a proud signatory to the Pro Bono Institute’s Law Firm Challenge®, and we encourage everyone to jump in right away. Associates are encouraged to bill at least 60 hours of pro bono in their first year—and those hours count just the same as billable ones. Whether you’re passionate about immigration, housing rights, criminal justice or nonprofit support, we’ll connect you with meaningful opportunities that align with what you care about. Click the link to learn more about Our Culture.
Ask around and you’ll hear a similar story: lawyers come to Irell because of the people they meet. Partners often say it’s what makes their work so rewarding. Associates say it’s what made their decision easy. And all of us would agree—it’s the people who make Irell feel like home.