‘Abysmal’ Associate Attire Leads to Fashion Counseling

J Murphy
Jan 31, 2008 11:04 AM CST

I disagree with mcpearle above.  The ad hominem attack doesn’t justify any position. I think the attire controversy revolves around respect for clients.  While some clients may expect or prefer a lawyer who dresses “down to earth,” others, particularly corporate clients, make value judgments based on appearance and equate that to success, detail orientation and other intangibles.  It’s deficient to assume that the concern of a law firm should be employee-centric, it should be client-centric while maximizing employee comfort within the bounds of the firm culture and the restrictions of client expectations.

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Mike Hunt
Feb 1, 2008 5:47 AM CST

I dress OK, but not like the prissy guys with designer underwear.  I always think it’s whats between your ears that count.  But to some extent, you can’t get business coming thru the door to be impressed with you if you’re a slob.  Maybe I’m lucky I work in the public sector where we don’t have to worry about paying clients.  I can wear what I want, as long as it’s clean and no jeans.  And on bad weather days, I’ve left my hiking boots on all day and no one gives a hoot.  Of course, there should be some limits.  We had a woman who fortunately left who always wore the same baggy potato sack dress, and didn’t launder it very often.  It smelled bad.  No one wanted to stand behind her in the elevator.  She could have used counseling, but she knew someone in the supervisor’s office.  Believe it or not, she got married and had a couple of kids, so someone evidently could take the smell.  Not me.

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Partner
Feb 1, 2008 7:12 AM CST

You wouldn’t buy a Mercedes from a guy in a t-shirt.  Corporate clients don’t want to buy their legal services from someone similarily attired.  People have a mindset about what their lawyer should look and act like - - - an adept lawyer recognizing this reality should live up to that.  Moreover, professional dress begets a professional attitude.  Granted, there are days when showing up in chinos is more condusive to working on an appellate brief all day; however, that should be the exception rather than the rule.  Finally, it’s been my experience that when the attorneys show up looking like their going to a tailgate, the support staff end up looking exponentially worse.  Like it or not, when your client unexpectedly shows up to your office and sees how everyone looks, he or she develops some thoughts about your work product - - - sloppy dress, sloopy work.

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Jessie S
Feb 1, 2008 7:21 AM CST

Ms. Brissette should step it up a little - Nanette Lepore looks like a K-Mart sweatsuit when running with the likes of Brioni or custom made suits that many male lawyers wear to the office.  How about law firms that want to exude this level of classy dressing provide a clothing stipend and referrals to haberdashers so that male and female lawyers alike go out and invest in $2,000-a-pop custom made suits?  It’s as much to do about marketing the firm and preserving a certain image as anything.

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Teej
Feb 1, 2008 7:22 AM CST

Let us first bypass the absurdity that a graduate of law school, with zero practical knowledge or experience is making $160k and focus on the attire.  I am a solo and my clients relate to me better because I don’t have a fancy office of $2500 suit on.  I think those that espouse that a suit somehow makes you a better lawyer or more respectful of clients are the same people who don’t mind billing their clients at $500 per hour and rounding up the billable time.  I think they also underestimate the business clients’ ability to see through the masquerade.

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Observer
Feb 1, 2008 7:26 AM CST

Once a slob, always a slob.

Get with it, children.

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CC
Feb 1, 2008 7:43 AM CST

What we wear really should not matter at all, but people make judgments based on perception.  Unless there’s a cultural change, workers in yoga pants and Uggs will still be seen as less competent than someone in a suit - unless the client is a normal, down to earth person and not corporate.  The happy medium seems like the best choice to me for now.  As for a better way to spend a $160,000 salary, perhaps Mr. Mills should be updated on the cost of law school in this decade….

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NY Lawyer
Feb 1, 2008 7:52 AM CST

I must start that we are professionals and should be treated as such.  My firm allows us to make our own decisions on dress with the understanding that we dress appropriately for the occassion.  If we’re going to court, it is understood that we look the part.  But if we’re at the office for the day, not seeing clients, then jeans are just fine.  We all have the suit hanging at the back of the door just in case.  Treat us like professionals.  Let us make our own judgement on our dress.  And let these people wearing $2500 suits who wish to require their associates to wear those $2500 suits have our student loan debt and see if they can continue to afford those $2500 suits.

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CL
Feb 1, 2008 7:55 AM CST

I think everyone should shave their head bald like me.  It’s so 3000 B.C.E.

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NCLawyer
Feb 1, 2008 8:01 AM CST

As I sit at my desk on a rainy Friday morning at an AMLAW 100 firm, I am wearing jeans and hiking boots.  We wear jeans every Friday.  The other days are business casual unless in depositions, court, meeting with a client, etc.  Nine times out of ten, when I meet face-to-face with a client (which is rare to be honest) I go business casual.  The vast majority of my clients (the majority of which are Fortune 500 companies) are more comfortable with me in “business casual” than they would be if I were in a suit.  In need them to be open and honest with me, not impressed, awed or intimidated by my Brioni suit.  They know that my attire (which is not “sloppy” by the way) and my legal ability are unrelated. 

Nevertheless, I agree that if there is any doubt about appropriate attire for a meeting with a client, etc. go with a suit.  Also, if your bosses tell you to dress better, you are a fool to ignore that direction. 

I cannot imagine working in a firm where there was some tacit expectation that I wear designer suits or where “casual” is defined as not wearing your suit coat all day.  Simply not a pleasant work environment in my opinion. 

That being said, I am an employment litigator, not a corporate transactional lawyer.  I have certainly found that the financial services industry remains very “formal” with the expectation of suits on even the lowliest of employees (or “Vice Presidents” as the case may be).  I think it entirely reasonable for a firm that caters to this industry to continue business formal dress because that is what their client base expects.  However, certainly not all “corporate clients” expect this and a large number are perfectly comfortable with counsel who dresses in chinos and button downs on a daily basis rather than suits and ties (my apologies to the women on this board for my inability to adequately describe similar modes of dress for female attorneys). 

I think in most business and legal circles, the days of “The clothes make the man (or the woman)” are long over—and good riddance.

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I paid off my school loans in 2 years instead of b
Feb 1, 2008 8:05 AM CST

If you are meeting or are likely to be seen by clients, yes, I think you should present a professional image.  But if you’re going to sit in your office all day like a veal, do you really need to be in a jacket?  If no one is going to see you, what impact could that possibly have on your or your firm’s marketability?

I am, incidentally, amused that commenter #6 misspelled sloppy while arguing that sloppy clothes lead to sloppy (“sloopy”) work.  Closet sloopy dresser, maybe?

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Auyrn
Feb 1, 2008 8:09 AM CST

If looking professional actually translates to a better work product, how come I do my best work, at home in my fuzzy slippers and comfy warm robe?

There’s definately something to be said for comfort over appearance; I’ve yet to actually find professional clothes that fit and feel good.

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Willy
Feb 1, 2008 8:16 AM CST

Basically what office attire comes down to is “who do you work for?” and “who are your clients?”

If you work for a big hoity toity firm like those above whose clients are likely bigwigs with money, then yes, it is appropriate to wear suits.

If you work for yourself or a small firm and represent farmers, then wear khakis and a shirt.

I never would think blue jeans would be acceptable fashion in a law firm, unless it’s a weekend.

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Merlinus Monroe
Feb 1, 2008 8:22 AM CST

Working in public law for a while left me with a particular impression - always looks harp in Court, but be casual and comfortable the rest of the time.  I am now almost exclusively working as the Law Librarian fora Hall County, and business casual is the rule.  it leaves a good impression on everyone - not too formal, but more formal than the average person on the street.

I agree with the comments on intelligence in representation mattering more than snappy fashion sense, though.  substance, not form, should always be the rule.

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Elaine
Feb 1, 2008 8:24 AM CST

Jerry,

Very well stated and much needed. Thank you.

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MAnewlaw
Feb 1, 2008 8:26 AM CST

As for the person who commented at number 19, I love the attitude that comes through in his response. Heaven forbid the new generation attempt to better balance their private life with their work life than previous generations have. I can see how demanding better hours to spend with children, spouses and other loved ones, while expecting some ability to pay off the $100,000+ cost of law school (and who knows for college), and living expenses in the current economy in what I assume is a major city or equally expensive suburb is COMPLETELY absurd. Damn ingrates.

I’m sure there are many children out there whose parents have missed significant milestones in their life because of billable hours, or ex-spouses who might have enjoyed spending more time with their spouse than alone might appreciate the new generations outlook on their legal careers.

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3L Girl
Feb 1, 2008 8:28 AM CST

I think a large part of the problem rests with the “kindergarten thru law school” 80’s kids who are working in their first professional setting. After spending over two decades in jeans, it can be somewhat of an adjustment to dive into a suit every day. I see it all the time at law school: girls dressing like college freshman (boob and butt cleavage included- don’t get excited, it’s generally the worst of the worst) and unshaven guys throwing on whatever sports paraphernalia is in reach. I’ still in my 20s so I enjoy casual stylish apparel, but I still try to be presentable, considering I am in a professional program.

Meanwhile, I have seen many of my classmates puzzled about how to dress for work. One girlfriend refused to wear pantyhose with her skirt suit…? Another classmate “ironed” his shirt during OCI by bouncing it in the clothes dryer! I had friends who didn’t even own a suit during our 1L year. I got my first skirt suit when I was a college sophomore and although it didn’t get a lot of immediate wear, it was always there and came in handy when I started interviewing for jobs after college. I worked for 2 years between college and law school in a business casual office, and although (designer) jeans were ok, most people saved them on Fridays, and wore fashion-forward khakis, button down shirts and skirts the rest of the week. However, this was in an entertainment related office in LA, so dress codes tend to not be as high laced as on the east coast where I’m attending law school. But I never saw anyone stroll through the office in their Rainbows.

As a graduating 3L, I am not stepping out with a $160K job offer, so Mr. Mills certainly doesn’t speak for all of us. However, my less-than- six-figure-income doesn’t excuse me from looking the part. A few simple black suits from Nordstrom’s or Banana Republic and a good pair of pumps (or dress shoes for the guys) will help any new law grad get step out with the right foot forward.

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Jennifer H
Feb 1, 2008 8:33 AM CST

In my mind, a lot of it depends on who your clients are and who you work for (see comment 26).

But being a bit of a princess with a bitchy streak, I’m sorry, there is absolutely no excuse to treat your JOB like you did your undergraduate course where you rolled out of bed and wore your scrubs to class. Keep the ugg boots, the trashy jeans, the oversized sweatshirts and pretty much the rest of your wardrobe that you could perform yard work in….AT HOME.

I am sure Mr. $2500 suit wouldn’t be happy with anything LESS than a $2500. So he’s one extreme. But I get the point. I’ve seen a lot of “casual fridays” translate into loafing-on-the-couch-wiping-greasy-potato-chip-fingers-on-pants sort of garb. I don’t care how awesome your law review article was that got published, grow up, iron your shirts!

Oh and by the way, I’m 29.

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Alvin D. Chimpunk
Feb 1, 2008 8:37 AM CST

Give me $160K and I’ll dress up in a monkey suit.

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CLT Midsize
Feb 1, 2008 8:42 AM CST

If anybody with good education, sharp mind and good ethic to get the work done (hours for their own sake not required), we have room for you in Charlotte.  We don’t care where your clothes come from.  You do need a suit for court.

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EH
Feb 1, 2008 8:44 AM CST

I don’t quite understand why people are shocked at the idea that one may have to look professional in a professional setting.  In law firms, the large ones in particular, there are constantly clients or other non-employees walking the halls and how people dress presents a certain image.  Even if you may only be working on a document all day, you do walk into the building and out, and presumably also to the bathroom or the kitchen at some point, so it’s not like you would go unnoticed.  And from a practial standpoint, it’s a lot easier to just give a general dress code, rather than to list 10 different situations where it’s ok to dress down with a list of 20 exceptions when those don’t apply.

I also agree with 3L girl that much of that aversion to appropriate work attire arises from the fact that some people never had to dress up before.  There also appears to be this mistaken belief going around that the only thing that matters is what’s between your ears and not how you dress.  Since when has that been true?  Apart from movies who glorify the person who is insanely smart but doesn’t adapt to social norms.  Potential clients do not want to get to know you on a personal level.  If they see you and you don’t look like you’re serious about your job, which, rightly or wrongly, is inferred from your attire, then they will not bother to talk to you to see what you actually have to offer.  It also takes more effort to get dressed nicely than to put on some jeans, so it shows how much respect you have for the person you’re meeting.  You would never show up for a job interview in jeans and a sweater, so then why would you think that’s ok for meeting your boss or a client?

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Erin
Feb 1, 2008 8:47 AM CST

As many have stated already, I do not see the problem of maintaining business casual appearances at work, while keeping a suit hanging behind your door.  If you KNOW you are not going to see a client, why wear a stuffy suit?  Even if your secretary tells you that a client has made a surprise visit, you still would have time to throw that suit on you keep in your office.  Like many professions, the legal world is changing - it is not the suit and tie business it was in the past when you left law school to work at your father’s firm and stayed there the rest of your life. 

Also, considering I don’t make HALF of $160k per year, I could never afford anything better than Ann Taylor while actually keeping a roof over my head and the student loan people at bay.  Ridiculous comment.  Just as many readers of this magazine work at small firms.  A little representation would be nice.

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kjenkins
Feb 1, 2008 8:50 AM CST

I agree that it’s “abysmal” to assign a less-skilled associate to represent a client only because he’s a snappier dreser. But when in Rome, folks. Dress to fit your situation and everyone, client included, will be more comfortable.

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Jacob Lauser
Feb 1, 2008 8:53 AM CST

Unlike the other misfit rebels of my generation, appropriate fashion has always been my forte. Sure, I wear jeans at law school, but if I step within visual distance of a court, attorney, or other professional, you can bet that in the very least, I’m wearing a nice business suit. And who says you have to spend $2500 on the right attire? Men’s Warehouse anyone? Jos. A. Bank? J.C. Penney’s? And as this article demonstrates, your potential employers do notice! Even lower court officials take exception to sloppy dressers. The ONE time I had to make an unscheduled stop at the clerk’s office to file a brief on my day off, the woman actually made me stand in the public wait line instead of the attorney/runner line, because I was wearing jeans! Consequently, I felt humiliated and the task took a half hour longer than it should have. And to all those complaining firms out there: give me a job, and I will sign a reasonable agreement to dress properly each day; and I wil promise NEVER to wear Ugg boots (even at home). ;)

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Bob
Feb 1, 2008 8:57 AM CST

What’s the fuss?  If an attorney is always safe wearing conservative attire, why fight it and risk turning off your partners or clients?  You don’t have to spend at Brioni levels. The economics argument is naive. Do you really think that casual attire conveys a professional image?  This was expanded in yesterday’s Wall St. Journal. An associate was in the audience wearing cargo pants, when the speaker commented that he looked like an idiot and conveyed that image. He sheepishly conceded the point. So why even raise the issue at work? Unless you are entirely self-centered, give it rest. Save the Uggs for home.

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