Comments on: What Are You Wearing?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:46:00 +0000

In his book, Win Your Case: How to Present, Persuade, and Prevail–Every Place, Every Time, Gerry Spence says…”We ought to be consistent in who we are. A guy who drives a pickup truck and wears plain clothes in the courtroom ought not be wearing a rolex. Creditbility is often founded or lost on small things.”

By: Mark Bennett

Mark Bennett — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:30:00 +0000

Thank you all for the comments.

Stephen, if he liked wearing a tie to Walmart on Sunday afternoon, why would he “envy” Malum?

We should, of course, show respect for our clients, but I think that there are much better ways to do it than to wear Zegna in the office.

Other Steve, I appreciate your perspective. In our business, making the clients feel comfortable with us is, I think, a more important goal than just making them feel respected by us. (Though the latter is part of the former — they won’t feel comfortable if they don’t feel respected.)

By: Other Steve

Other Steve — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:27:00 +0000

Maybe it’s just because I’m an undergraduate, but the few times I’ve walked into a lawyer’s office, I felt out-of-place and uncomfortable.

If I were considering hiring a criminal defender, and a prospective attorney met me in a t-shirt and jeans (*especially* if it were a funny t-shirt), I’d feel much more at ease - and among other factors, my comfort level is an important consideration, if I’m to work closely with some person I’ve never met, who’s twice my age (or more), and depend on him/her to protect me in court. (Not that clothes alone determine my comfort level with an attorney.)

I certainly wouldn’t disqualify an attorney for wearing a suit - or even hold it against him/her. I just note that at first glance, there’s a substantial cultural gap between an undergraduate and an attorney, and clothing can be one way to help bridge that gap.

Obviously, wearing a suit to court, or to Wal-Mart, are separate matters entirely. And not that I’m encouraging anyone to go overboard - shirt/shoes are still required (flip-flops are 100% acceptable, Shawn).

By: Stephen Gustitis

Stephen Gustitis — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:19:00 +0000

Maybe PL enjoyed wearing a tie on Sunday afternoon. Maybe PL was meeting, or had met a client and was honoring the client by getting dressed-up. I think we are reading too much into PL’s comment about Malum’s attire. Moreover, how did PL get to be a PL anyway? Did he wear sweat pants to his meetings with clients? I doubt it. Did he honor clients and show respect for them by dressing appropriately? I bet he did. Our dress reflects our attitude. Sometimes we just need to dress nicely out of respect for others.

By: Matlock

Matlock — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:19:00 +0000

I will agree with the anonymous post about wearing a suit. Of course I think anyone who claims to be a “lawyer” shouldn’t walk into a courtroom without being properly dressed. Unfortunately, at least in Fort Worth, proper courtroom attire often means jeans and a polo shirt. I don’t think that’s right.

On the other hand, I’m with you about the rest of the time. If I go into the office on a day I have nothing set in court, I’m usually in jeans and a t-shirt. Maybe even flip flops. Because it’s comfortable, and because if I’m comfortable, I can focus on what I’m doing. I’ll even meet with clients dressed like that. They’ve commented just as you did that I certainly not trying to impress anyone and that I must be pretty good to be willing to meet people like that.

By: Mark Bennett

Mark Bennett — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:36:00 +0000

Thanks for the comment, anon. I don’t know that anyone is saying that wearing a suit is hard.

The times, they are achangin’; there’s no question about that.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:31:00 +0000

As a dying breed in the legal community (bio: 45, licensed for 21 years), I’m embarrassed by the current state of dress in the legal community.

How hard is it to wear a suit and a tie? Good lord. If that is such a burden, how can anyone expect you to bust your ass in other areas? Wearing a suit is hard? Hell, prepping for a trial is hard. Research is hard. Work is hard.

It’s just a matter of discipline and respect for the profession. Not much of that anymore.

By: Mark Bennett

Mark Bennett — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:25:00 +0000

Not just shopping but shopping at Walmart. Harrod’s, it’s not.

By: Simon Myerson

Simon Myerson — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:52:00 +0000

A suit in the office - ok (we are currently having dicussions about that). A suit when meeting clients - for sure. But smart dress for going shopping?!

If I meet clients when I’m out and about and all I can do is worry that they’re judging me on my dress then the only issue is who is sadder - me or them? Truly America is a strange land…