Wednesday, March 21, 2012

3 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer Who Wears Green Suede Shoes

I wore green suede shoes to an interview with a law firm.  These weren't' the bilious stilettos one might see on the red carpet at the Grammys.

These were green suede Van Elli mules with kitten heals. The green reminded one of a willow in spring. They rocked. They had a little buckle with a bow, so they did pander to the conservative nature of the firm, one of the biggest in the country.

You can learn a lot about lawyers by the clothes they wear, but pay attention to the feet. That's where the true confessions are. This business is 97% spit and polish, and 3% BS, so your feet had better look good.  And if they look good in green suede, go for it. (*NOTE to men reading this: green suede looks silly in anything but a kitten-heeled mule - we'll have to thing of something els for you. Wear green suede to an interview and the partner will think you're applying for the pro position at his country club.)

Now I don't know if these shoes were the determining factor in the firm's decision not to hire me. Actually, another firm beat them to the offer stage.

Assuming they had some bearing on the process, here are the three reasons why firms should hire people who wear green suede shoes:

REASON #1 - The Wearer has a Creative Streak

It takes real skill to plan an interview outfit around a pair of green suede shoes, and a ton of creativity. The green suede shoe wearer will have both skill and creativity in spades. That's what you want in a lawyer.

Trends show that the future belongs to a very different kind of lawyer. Services are becoming commoditized, pre-packaged and readily available online. Left-brain thinkers who are good at writing contracts and crunch numbers are being rapidly replaced by advances in IT. The emphasis will soon be on lawyers who recognize patters and create meaning -- the new lawyer is a big-picture thinker who recognizes unmet need. Future success will hinge on a more creative and imaginative lawyer.

The kind of lawyer who'd wear green suede shoes.

REASON #2. The Wearer has Confidence. Lots of it.

Someone who wears green suede shoes to an interview is likely to have a ton of confidence in her ability to function in the mosh pit of a modern law practice, especially if the wearer can walk in the things without allowing the heel to slap unceremoniously on the floor.

This is not only indicative of confidence, but of careful preparation and consideration for the effects of her actions. Because mules lack a back strap or any other kind of connection to the heel, it's very easy to allow the heel to slap about, resulting in a disturbing clang on most law firm floors.

The green suede shoe wearer will have foreseen this. She will have spent time learning to use her toes to balance the shoe on her foot. She will know and understand how to draw attention away from the shoe and towards her formidable legal skills.

The kind of confidence that comes from such practice and attention to detail is going to be sorely needed in the next several years of the profession. As things begin to change (and they will), such lawyers will be the innovators, marketers, and creators of a multi-sourced legal practice.

REASON #3. The Wearer has Courage.

Finally, it takes courage to wear unconventional shoes to an interview. It's entirely likely that the partnership meeting after the interview will include a discussion of the shoes, and whether the wearer is appropriately serious about practicing law. Believe me, that is not the kind of firm you'd want.

Those pesky future trends are beginning to show that employers and clients want people who will build the firm, stand strong in the face of adversity, and creatively develop long term relationships. Those qualities are dependent on tenacity, creativity, and courage.

The kind of courage it takes to wear green suede shoes.




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© Tamar J Cerafici, The Barefoot Barrister™ 412-467-6141

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