Comments on: Weekend Open Thread

By: Erin M.

Erin M. — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:08:20 +0000

In Vegas, the rule was hose/closed toed shoes in county/state court except during the hottest summer months, in which case sandals/bare legs were permitted. That was an explicit rule, not implicit.

By: anon - chi

anon - chi — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:50:04 +0000

I also wouldn’t just *assume* that the girl was fired because she took vacation. It’s just as likely that she was going to be fired regardless of the vacation, particularly since the poster didn’t suggest that the vacation was somehow inappropriate (multiple consecutive weeks, during a particularly busy time, scheduled super late, etc).

By: divaliscious11

divaliscious11 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:34:55 +0000

I am going to disagree and say that that actually is a better way to do it. When I was in private practice, you billable requirement was not adjusted unless you were out on disability/maternity – which meant you still had to make up the time in billables even if you took time off. It seems that receive a credit reduction in billable obligation actually lets you take your time without having to make it up later.
Take sme time though…burnout sucks it….and you will definitely burn out if you don’t get out of the office….

By: A

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:39:47 +0000

I’ve heard that from other people as well, and they were theorizing that it was because the judges in Vegas actually tend to be more conservative as sort of a backlash against the culture that thrives on the Strip. I guess it makes sense, but I was expecting more of a Southern California approach to legal fashion. However, everything I’ve seen so far has been more formal, like you’re saying.

I’m still unsure on the pantyhose issue, though. I grew up in Northern Nevada/California and didn’t even think that people wore pantyhose anymore until I started browsing some of the legal blogs. I may stick to slacks until I can get a good sample of the other female lawyers here.

By: MJ

MJ — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:02:43 +0000

I’ve done a lot of domestic violence work and asylum work with immigrants. I would say that biz cas is better than a suit in terms of them not being completely overwhelmed. However, we’d often have our clients meet us at our fancy-schmancy law firm, which totally overwhelmed them. If you are in a somewhat less glitzy environment, you might want to dress more to command respect. When in our office, I found that dressing down really helped them open up!

By: L

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:18:20 +0000

Ditto. That is a weirdo system. I would treat the billable ‘goal’ as hard and fast. I always billed enough to make my hours based on 48 weeks of work per year. That way, I would start out way ahead and end up at the right place while still taking all my vacation. This is more difficult to do if you are in a more up-and-down field (eg litigation with big cases but nothing in between them), but it can be done. Good luck!

By: Erin M.

Erin M. — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:20:31 +0000

Oh, I should also mention that I actually did work as a summer associate in Las Vegas and I was surprised by how formally attorneys tend to dress there. So I definitely wouldn’t go too casual for your classes, and definitely do wear a full suit if you’ll be going to court.

By: Erin M.

Erin M. — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:19:04 +0000

I worked at a legal aid clinic and as a public defender as a young lawyer and continue to do intake for similar programs on a volunteer basis now. I found that clients were less apt to open up to me or treat me as an equal when I wore my full “lawyer costume” (suit, heels); they were either overly deferential or saw me as a part of the “system” (and, therefore, not on their side and not to be trusted). I usually dressed nicely but not formally when I wasn’t in court – a sweater, slacks/skirt and heels or boots. If you want to be seen as an authority figure, though, go for the suits.

By: A

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:56:14 +0000

Thanks for the fantastic advice, ladies! (And Sarah, your tips on commanding respect are very helpful — I will be keeping them in mind my first day.) I’ll definitely talk to some of the girls who have done the program in the past. We teach in teams, so I might also check with the girls who are teaching with me so I don’t look over/underdressed in comparison to my colleagues.

On the flat-front, I never realized that was an option! I’ve always equated lawyerly events with “Heels Required.” While I own a couple pairs of 2″ heels that I can wear all day, KLo’s right — in the long run, my knees would probably prefer flats.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:28:57 +0000

Seconding this! And, glad you’re doing such a thing!