Lawyers are human too, so they have feelings, ambitions, and passions. Just like any other people, lawyers have appearances that they want to maintain. Regardless of what the Law says, it doesn’t mean that they have the right to disregard their grooming.
They want to be well groomed to show that they are professional and responsible and that they care about their appearance. It means that they have the right to have a beard. In this blog, you’ll learn about courtroom etiquette and Can Lawyers Have Beards?
Beards have become an increasingly popular topic in the legal community over the last few years. Many lawyers have beards today. But is it ok for lawyers to have beards? A court is a formal setting, and one would not typically wear a beard. But with the recent rise in the popularity of beards, the answer is yes.
Can Lawyers Have Beards?
Yes, lawyers can have beards. However, they should keep them trimmed. There are no strict guidelines regarding what is allowed regarding beards.
The legal community has come to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with having a beard. While there are clearly dress codes for attorneys in court, there is typically little to no direction regarding facial hair, head haircuts, tattoos, or even piercings.
You may also like: Can a Lawyer Wear Pink?
In court, men are supposed to dress in a suit and tie, and women are expected to dress in something “similar” but without any specifics.
In contrast to business casual, both male and female attorneys presume that this refers to a suit. Regarding beards, no court (or bar organization) has ever had a rule that specifically addressed facial hair, unlike what you could see in the military.
Any style of beard appears to be OK. However, as judges in the courtroom expect lawyers to present themselves in a “lawyerly” manner, unprofessional facial hair may draw the judges’ disapproval.
However, we will give you some guidelines regarding how a lawyer should behave while they are in court.
- You should always professionally conduct yourself. It means that you should be clean-shaven when you go into court.
- While you are wearing a beard, make sure that it is trimmed properly.
- Avoid wearing a beard that covers the neck area. It is considered rude to appear in court with a beard.
What You Should Know About Etiquette in Court
In the courtroom, attorneys are required to follow certain rules. Your use of correct courtroom etiquette can influence the judge’s decision to find in your favor.
You may also like: Can Lawyers Have Long Hair?
When preparing for a case, it’s important to take into account a variety of important variables, including talk, attire, presentation, demeanor, and organization. The manner you present your case in court depends heavily on your preparation.
- You may not be aware of how you come across. The very first impression is crucial. The first thing the judge will notice is how you look.
- Men should wear a suit and tie, and women should wear a dress or a suit.
- Your appearance also depends on how well you groom. Men should be clean-shaven or have well-styled facial hair.
- Being on time is preferable to being late.
- Always show up to your case early and with your appearance slips.
- Schedule flexibility is important. Be ready for anything; it’s crucial to consider the weather and traffic.
- Arriving late is impolite and will negatively affect your performance.
- As you enter the courtroom, keep silent.
- Throughout your attendance, conduct yourself morally and responsibly.
- Don’t use your mobile device.
- Avoid eating or chewing gum.
Reasons Why some Attorneys Decide Against Growing Beards
In an effort to appear as serious and professional as possible while applying for jobs as a young lawyer, many applicants forgo beards (or all facial hair). They’ll get rid of their mustaches, chin stubble, and cheek chops to prevent missing out on an opportunity for such a minor detail.
They’ll feel more at ease, allowing their facial hair to grow back if their work is secure. Many attorneys choose not to grow beards because they believe that clients and even juries prefer lawyers without facial hair.
Although this enduring belief may or may not be supported by facts, it is something that lawyers managing high-risk litigation take into account.
Perhaps the reason why the jury dislikes the beard is that it partially conceals the lawyer’s face, allowing him to possibly conceal his facial expressions (thereby making him appear less trustworthy).
Some attorneys decide against growing beards since the extra hair can make it more difficult for them to interact with those who are hard of hearing and rely on the lips and face to understand what is being said. Remember that many successful lawyers and judges work while sporting beards.
Reasons to Grow a Beard Today
You may not be sure whether you should grow a beard. If you are, you’ll be glad to know that there are several reasons to grow a beard.
- One reason is that you’ll look more professional.
- Another reason to grow a beard is that you’ll feel more comfortable.
- When you have a beard, you’ll have no fear of being mistaken for someone else.
- A third reason is that you’ll feel more confident.
The days when people anticipated their attorneys to be men with grey hair and clean-shaven are long gone. There are now lawyers of every size, shape, talent, and look.
Being your authentic self is very important, but your first job out of law school and that high-stakes trial are also very crucial.
If you shave your beard at work in an effort to meet someone else’s standards, you might later find it difficult to remain content there.
Perhaps it isn’t the position to which you should devote several years of your youth if your prospective employer would have rejected you because of your beard.
Going in as yourself can be beneficial if you want that big law job because the partners will be able to see you at your best.
Your nicely groomed beard won’t matter at all if you can convince them that you can present yourself professionally and that you are very serious about the job. It can be all you need to push you over the top to have that extra confidence boost.
Final Remarks
We hope you enjoyed our blog post, “Can Lawyers Have Beards?” Beards can be a divisive topic, with many people feeling the need to convince others that they should maintain a beard. But are lawyers allowed to have beards?
If they are, they might be required to do so to maintain it, but that doesn’t mean they can’t wear them. The attorney at Law wants to ensure that you are getting the best legal advice and representation for your case, no matter what.
It is our mission to always provide the best legal advice to you. Lawyers are not the only profession that can have beards, so feel free to follow the lead of this profession and grow that beard.
Thank you for reading. We are always excited when one of our posts can provide useful information on a topic like this!