Two reports with contrasting views about power dressing for lawyers. The American Bar Association Journal reports that the downturn in the economy is causing lawyers to turn away from casual dressing and back to "Gordon Gecko" power dressing, presumably as a way of reinforcing credibility? The comment from one lawyer in the story is "I think people expect high-powered lawyers to look like high-powered lawyers".
In contrast, Patrick Lamb tells a delightful story about a lawyer attending on his client at their waste station premises, and how incongruous his power dressing (and attitude) were.
For years, I have heard comments from in-house counsel and other legal clients about the marble foyers and offices of their large legal firms. The vast majority were throw away comments along the lines of "so this is where my legal fees are going". Perception is important. It's like the American and British banks who, having received huge hand outs, are now paying bonuses which are beyond the comprehension of the average man in the street.
It seems to me that in the present economic client, power dressing is not the way to go. I understand that maybe it is time to pull back a little from the casual jeans and tee shirt (or green bermuda shorts!), but if my lawyer was wearing new clothes that put him straight onto the "Wall Street" set and echoing Gordon Gecko, I would query if my legal fees were being well spent.
