Did Law without suits: Youth flouts tradition, By STYLE CHRISTINA BINKLEY
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL EUROPE, DOW JONES REPRINTS
February 1, 2008
This is an interesting and provocative read. The angle seems undercut by the punchline (“Trying a case is like a movie," Ms. Arnold says. "Wardrobe is everything."), since the article seems to be going in the direction of a generational discussion and/or the value of having a consultant like Gretchen Neels in to remedy the situation.
I do think it’s true that there are differences in dress codes between offices, firms, geographies and generations. Full disclothesure: I’m in the “suit” category for a couple of reasons: it is actually easier to put together when you are bleary eyed and/or rushing to get out the door in the morning and also for professional appearance reasons. You can go anywhere in a suit but you can't in jeans (which I really don't think are appropriate for a professional services provider who is in the office anyway).
But, and with all due respect to the managing partners of the world, the more relevant question is…. What are the CLIENTS at the associates' level wearing and what do they expect and want THEIR lawyers to look like?
-Catherine
The Legal Sales and Service Organization (LSSO) is the legal industry's first and only organization focused exclusively on sales, service and quality issues in law departments and firms.
Friday, February 1
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2 comments:
As someone with a career spanning several decades, it strikes me as interesting that "experienced" people are more interested in what they want younger associates to do and wear than they are in finding a way to connect with this up and coming group.
I personally stopped wearing ties almost four years ago, after MANY years of worrying about people's opinions of the ties I wore. Point? Well, I have been more successful, and connected with a broader range of clients. I have made what I wear a non-issue, by focusing on performance, and finding profitable business with people I simply enjoy.
Should lawyers all look the same, because it serves the profession? Well, attorneys in the US no longer wear wigs and robes. What does that tell you?
Of course all lawyers shouldn't look the same. It matters less whether they are serving the profession than it does their clients.
I'm quite sure it is possible to make what you wear a non-issue for one's self. Not so with others - everyone judges on the basis of appearance. Sometimes unfairly, sometimes wrongly, but it is human nature. So, it is important for a professional to appear as the kind of person that will foster trust, rapport and confidence with clients, prospects and referral sources.
There is, at least to me, a difference between not wearing ties and the more extreme example in the article which was wearing jeans to the office. The range of what is customary and customer/client-oriented changes with the times, hence, no more wigs and robes in the US. In this case, is it that the dress falls outside the acceptable range or that the range itself is changing?
Looking for ways to connect is incredibly important, definitely. Generational issues will always exist; it is up to the business owners (law firm partners) to address (get it? adDRESS?!) them.
Seek to understand...
-Catherine
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