Dress for Success

How to dress for each situation.

Many students wonder how they are expected to dress when they begin their internship or become certified.  Learning how to dress for each situation takes time to learn, but here are some guidelines to get you started:

Internships

When interning, we recommend asking the reporter or firm you’re working with for their recommendation.  They’re a great resource for you and will likely have valuable suggestions that will help you for years to come.  Keep in mind that you’re going to make your first impressions on your future clients during your internship, so it’s always best to err on the side of conservative and overdressed if you’re unsure.  

Interviews

Interviews are already stressful enough, that’s why we recommend putting together an “Interview Outfit” while you’re in school so you don’t have to think about it when you only have a week before your interview.  Your interview outfit should be very professional and very conservative.  Even if it’s not your usual style, an interview outfit should be designed to give you confidence and adaptability no matter who you’re interviewing with.  The classic navy suit is a staple for interviewing since multiple studies have found that navy promotes feelings of trust and power.  Pair your suit with a white shirt or blouse and don’t forget to match your belt color with your shoe color.  Piercings, hair style, and hygiene are also part of your interview outfit.  Keep jewelry and hair style choices simple and minimal so that the focus remains on what you say rather than what you look like.  You should also make sure that your hygiene is in tip top condition for your interview.  Bad smells or an unkempt appearance are sure to affect the outcome of your interview.

Depositions

Different law firms will have different expectations for how a court reporter should dress.  Sometimes they expect the court reporter to be in a suit, other times, more casual attire may be acceptable.  It’s important to dress smartly for your first few jobs with new firms so that you can learn more about their expectations while making a solid first impression.  Business slacks and a professional shirt or blouse are the typical attire most firms expect.  You can always bring a jacket with you to make your outfit look more professional and are also great to have just in case their office is too cold for comfort.

Courts

Courthouse attire is typically on the more professional side.  Some courthouses in Texas still require ladies to wear closed-toe dress shoes and gentlemen to wear ties.  Even though these expectations are becoming increasingly rare, it’s always best to be overdressed for your first few days working with a new judge or in a new court.  Another important dress code item that most forget about is your cell phone and/or smart watch.  While it’s important to keep these silent and out of sight, it’s especially important in the courtroom.  Judges have no tolerance for ringtones or alarms which interrupt the proceedings.