Irell fully credits all pro bono hours towards the billable hours requirement and bonus determinations.  The firm has a pro bono coordinator who manages pro bono work.  The firm’s lawyers average over 80 pro bono hours annually each.  Although Lateral Link Members confirm that "there is no limit" on pro bono hours, they warn that there may be "some 'pushback' for young attorneys with too many pro bono hours versus billable hours."

Irell has one partnership track, and it generally takes a minimum of seven years to be considered.  Unlike many of its competitors, Irell does not have non-equity partners.  Many Lateral Link Members view partnership prospects as a long shot, particularly outside of key practice areas.  While Members report that “hours,” “work ethic,” and “client retention” are important factors in making partner, one Member says it all comes down to being a “hellaciously good lawyer.”  Members report that senior associates passed over for partnership are generally allowed to remain at the firm. The firm’s partnership headcount fell by over 12% in 2009, to 65 partners, though the firm says this was not a strategic move and attributes the partner departures to a wide variety of reasons.  In 2010, the firm elected two new partners,  up from one in 2009.

Incoming first-year associates receive a $15,000 stipend and relocation benefits, including $3,500 in moving expenses and direct billing with selected movers.  The firm also pays for a bar exam course and exam expenses.  In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, the firm also provides regular happy hours, a $500 technology budget, a $500 decorating budget, annual retreats, on-site gym, and free parking. Associates receive their own office in their first year.  The firm pays a $50,000 bonus to judicial clerks.

Summer associate survey respondents give Irell & Manella's summer program high marks for providing summer associates with "substantive assignments [that] actually affect the clients" and for offering "the best feedback imaginable."  But one drawback is that “[t]he firm expects perfection – there is little room for error, even as a Summer Associate because they are giving you real work.”  The firm offers a 10-week summer associate program in its Los Angeles office.  Summer associates are each assigned work coordinators that provide them with 6 to 10 assignments during the summer in a variety of practice areas.  But entrepreneurial summer associates may also seek assignments through a "free-market" system.  In addition, summer associates are also assigned an "anchor" case or transaction that they work on throughout the summer.  Although Irell holds weekly training programs for summer associates as well as a mock trial, respondents say there is not a lot of "formal training" and advise summer associates to be "proactive" in seeking out advice and guidance, noting that attorneys will "give it to you happily, but only if you ask."  Survey respondents are split on the question of face time, with some saying there is no face time requirement as long as summer associates get their work done, and others pointing out that summer associates are expected to be in the office during normal working hours.  The majority of respondents report that they generally bill an average of six hours a day on work assignments, but a few say they average as much as eight hours a day.  Respondents agree, however, that they typically leave the office between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., and that working on the weekend is not common.  The firm does not provide summer associates with BlackBerrys, and respondents concur that they are "glad" about this.  The firm provides a $25 lunch budget and an $85 dinner budget, and summer associates can attend an unlimited number of meals with attorneys.  Other social events are held weekly and include a Disneyland trip and a party in Newport Beach.  The firm also continues to hold a weekend retreat for all summer associates on Catalina Island.  Despite the down economy, the firm made offers of permanent employment to 93% of its 2009 summer associate class, and the newest class of associates started as scheduled in fall 2009.  This year appears to be no different, with one respondent noting that “[t]hroughout the summer, I felt comfortable that I could receive an offer for after graduation, and that offer would not be deferred.”