You Shave What?

As I was reading my Men's Health last month, there was a letter to the editor thanking them for the cover photo. The photo was of some actor. The author of the letter was happy because the photo showed a man who did not shave his chest.

I know, odd start to an entry. What do you expect when you come here?

Anyway, there was also an article in the Sacramento Bee over the last few days. The article was about an attorney (who works at BigLaw) and he was talking about how he can buy any pair of shoes he wants, but he buys his shoes at Big 5. (For those of you who do not know, it is a sporting goods store that sells things inexpensively.) Yes, it was kind of sickening and this story sure did not help the image of attorneys, but there is a point to it.

The letter writer and the attorney both make the same point: you have to be who you are. Okay, follow me on this: the guy who shaves his chest is doing so because he thinks others will find it more attractive, even though it is not him. The attorney who buys his shoes at some fancy store may be doing so to project an image, even if that is not who the attorney really is.

I advocate that you need to be who you are. I meet with my clients and don't put on a shirt and tie. Why? Because I am not a shirt and tie guy, unless I am in court. I run around town and do errands in shorts and t-shirts. Why? Because that is who I am. I know attorneys in my town who dress up every time they go out, in case they run into someone. That is, to me, putting on a fake persona and at some point, that lack of being true comes through, not just to clients, but to jurors as well.

Be who you are and you can still run a successful practice.

------Jonathan

Comments

[Brian]

Before starting law school, I was concerned that I would eventually have to wear the monkeysuit and the noose every day. I was mentally preparing myself slowly, but surely for the day when I would have to wear a suit, shirt and tie every day. Then, as I was looking for my first summer job, I discovered that there are attorneys out there who don't dress up every day in their office. I had one interview with an attorney who was wearing a pair of jeans and a polo.

I now look forward to the day when I can wear shorts and t-shirts to run errands.