Law firm interviews

[tactical1]

I'd bet what I make next month that the advice given to a 2L to get bespoke suits and the notion that the law firm looks at a rookie lawyer as a "rainmaker" is coming from people who have never set foot in a real law office.

If you put fifty lawyers under one roof, you will have the gentlemen who know what style is and spend the time and money to get it. You will also have extremely valuable partners who view the whole process of acquiring and wearing suits as simply a necessary function, no more important than selecting between one egg in the carton and another. While the bespoke suit might - MIGHT - impress the former set, it will do little or nothing for the latter, and there is a risk of coming off as a dandy when what the partners want is a workhorse, not a dressage animal.

The comment above is quite right that it is the technical expertise, which is a given by the time the firm writes you a check, and the ability to function within the existing ecosystem that will determine the young lawyer's fate. The bespoke suit won't save or conceal the diletante or the primadonna.

 

[johnnyletrois]

I don't know why this thread became about bespoke suits for 2L SA interviews. I just wanted to know if a different shirt/tie/shoe combo would be sufficient rather than needing to buy a new suit. I have settled on the former.

 

[tactical1]

This thread got untracked because this is StyleForum.

If you can afford a second appropriate suit, do so. You will need it should you get the job.

 

[johnnyletrois]



This thread got untracked because this is StyleForum.

If you can afford a second appropriate suit, do so. You will need it should you get the job. 

Yeah. I think the original issue was whether or not I needed to rush down to BB to pick up a new one for the callbacks or if I could hold off and wait for the sales.

 

[luftvier]



Same suit is fine as long as it's a plain suit. But don't wear even similar tie/shirt combo.

Depending on your job you may want to wait and get something that is better than a Brooks Brother suit. If you are at a Law Firm too. You will want to stand out don't settle for an OTR suit if you can afford it.

Based on this answer, I assume you're not a lawyer.

 

[zackhyde]

I believe you have ascertained that you can hold off. Same suit is fine for callbacks.

You can get some great ties on ebay for < $40, Canali, Zegna, purple label, whatever suits your fancy.

I went into my interviews with the attitude that, "If I sit at my desk all day getting high-quality work done, on-time, then you look good to the client."

Good luck and have fun meeting your colleagues.

 

[hookem12387]

You'll be fine at your callbacks with the same suit. On the off chance they even noticed what you wore to your OCI, they'd still be unlikely to hold it against you that you wore the same suit. In all likelihood, they've no idea what you wore to the first one. Good luck

 

[jbernard]



Jbernard, you advise everyone who is just starting to wear suits to start with MTM or bespoke. I don't find this very helpful advice, as noobs are not going to know what to look for or ask for. Unless the noob in question has unique proportions, better to start with RTW. And recommending online MTM, as you do, is a recipe for disaster for someone just starting out.

That is a good point. I didn't tell them to start there. I replied to someone who already has at least one suit that they wore to the interview. And we're asking about their next suit.

I did not suggest an online M2M in this thread. I only suggest that too people who are already looking at online m2m. Or people who know their measurements.

I have 14 suits. 3 online M2M. None OTR. I really hate OTR.

 

[HoratioNelson]

This may provide some inspiration

http://blogs.wsj.com/runway/2012/04/04/work-wear-office-style-at-law-firm-proskauer/tab/interactive/

 

[Lord Mulberry]

What shade of charcoal suit, light or dark? I'd probably go for a blue tie because if your skin tone is reddish anyway, you'll be a raspberry. BTW forget the fashion, collar spread and all that bumf, you need to be ultra formal. You're a lawyer not a footballer's agent.

 

[johnnyletrois]



What shade of charcoal suit, light or dark? I'd probably go for a blue tie because if your skin tone is reddish anyway, you'll be a raspberry. BTW forget the fashion, collar spread and all that bumf, you need to be ultra formal. You're a lawyer not a footballer's agent.

Thanks. Suit is mid grey. Not dark, not light. Shirts are white or light blue, medium spread collar. Ties are Drakes/BB/J.Press burgundy or navy grenadine or navy/white dot or blue/red rep stripe. Shoes black or dark brown cap toe.

My one suit will get me through the callbacks and I'll pick up a decent Navy BB or I'll try a 38L Suit Supply before summer.

Thanks.

 

[Americana]

I am a young lawyer and went through this process. After school I did a clerkship, and then went through the interview process again to get my current job. I agree with what most folks have said, however it is also important you are confident. Whatever you wear, make sure you are comfortable in it and feel like you look good. I have found that personality and likeability goes a long way. That will only come through if you are confident in your look. Tom Ford refers to a suit as "armor" a man puts on in the morning to be ready for anything the days throws at him. I think that is a good attitude. (On a side note, Tom Ford would be way over the top for a law student on an interview for practical and style reasons).

I also find that firm culture can vary greatly between firms. I know some conservative old school firms here in South Carolina what only wear bar stripe ties and wear lots of navy blazers and grey pants like they have a BB account. At those firms a striped shirt would stand out like a nun at a strip club. Other firms, usually plaintiffs, will wear golf shirts in the office and only wear a suit to court. I think it is good advice to stay relatively conservative, but express yourself with your tie or shoes.

 

[UnnamedPlayer]

Tip 1.When the inteviewer starts talking yell "Objection!"

Tip 2.When the interviewer finishes talking yell "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!"

Tip3. Always start your response by hooking your thumbs in your braces (you must wear braces to the interview) and say "Now I'm not some big city loya..."

 

[md2010]



Tip 1.When the inteviewer starts talking yell "Objection!"

Tip 2.When the interviewer finishes talking yell "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!"

Tip3. Always start your response by hooking your thumbs in your braces (you must wear braces to the interview) and say "Now I'm not some big city loya..."

Good one mate !

 

[johnnyletrois]