Blog 16

Interviewer: So Tell me a little bit about yourself

Interviewer: Where do you go to law school?

Kacey: Southern University Law Center

Kacey: in Baton Rouge

Kacey: I'm originally from Brooklyn, NY I went to the best university University of Miami and I'm about to graduate next semester

Interviewer: So your an L3 student? Have you been inside a court room to observe a female attorney ?

Kacey: yes I'm a 3L, and yes I've seen women often in the courthouse and legal field

Interviewer: When You first met then can you recall there appearance?

Interviewer: How did she dress?

Kacey: Well

Kacey: a lot of the women I see down here are kind of big so they wear what I call church suits[N31] 

Kacey: they're kind of outdated and not really form fitting

Kacey: but back home I see more modern looking suits although occasionally you see lawyers wearing the inappropriate sexy professional clothes[N32] 

Interviewer: What does that tell you about them from first impression ?

Kacey: well

Kacey: first impression is everything

Kacey: especially in the court room

Interviewer: What do you mean by that

Kacey: as a woman in the court room they aren't looking at you as a lawyer it's a woman first[N33] 

Kacey: so if you have high heels shiny nails nice hair it automatically makes people think less of you

Interviewer: Oh really? why do you think that is?

Kacey: just because sexism still exists[N34] 

Kacey: and the legal community is a still a boy's club[N35] 

Interviewer: Can you give me an example? Do have a personal story or know of an instance where the "sexism" or a "boy's club" was apparent?

Kacey: Sure

Kacey: an a older white gentleman about 20-30 yrs my senior would often look straight at my breasts or legs while I was speaking to him

Kacey: or would make comments about the "ladies's room" and how I got there because of my smile or my looks[N36] 

Interviewer: Do you think that your fashion choices may have been a factor in those instances ?

Kacey: absolutely

Interviewer: How so?

Kacey: At the time I was in college and had the pink fingernails and the tighter clothes and I think that was it[N37] 

Interviewer: Do you feel as though females are pressured to dress and look a certain way in order to be taken as serious as a man?

Kacey: yes

Kacey: I feel we have to tone down our looks in this world

Kacey: well legal world

Interviewer: Would you say that you are fashion forward?

Kacey: I would think so I'm not a Naomi Campbell though

Interviewer: LOL well do you feel that it is possible to be fashionably satisfied with your attire while still being able to be taken serious as a legal professional?

Kacey: I try to look traditional but have my own little spin[N38] 

Kacey: so like I'll wear a skirt suit that's still knee length and in the right color but I'll have a silk purple blouse underneath or a cute belt

Interviewer: Ohh ok so would you say you try to stay true to your style but still acknowledged the "role" you have to play as a female in the court room?

Kacey: yes

Interviewer: Do you think your appearance effects the type of clientele you acquire?

Kacey: yes

Kacey: unfortunately[N39] 

Interviewer: Why unfortunately?

Interviewer: Do you have any stories that relate to your career in law and your fashion choices?

Kacey: just men often hit on me at the courthouse like the criminals

Kacey: or even my tax clinic clients I assist low-income clients with their tax liability/filing taxes

Kacey: and they always try to flirt with me and like make fun of my voice etc

Interviewer: Really that's ridiculous. As a result of instances like this do you feel as though females in the profession are pressured to look a certain way to be taken more seriously?

Kacey: yeah

Kacey: or because of this I have to act more stern

Kacey: to try to prove that I'm not just there for like eye candy

Interviewer: Can you explain or give an example

Kacey: i just often have to speak up to be heard or remind them that I am a student attorney and not a video vixen

Kacey: especially the young black clients

Interviewer: About how long would you say you take to get ready in the morning? Do you ever find yourself not wearing things you normally would to avoid instances like this to avoid sexist comments or situations?

Kacey: it takes me about a hour

Kacey: because I don't like to rush

Kacey: and yes all the time

Interviewer: Would you say that your wardrobe for your leisurely time is noticeably different that your legal attire?

Kacey: i always plan my outfits around who I'm going to see

Kacey: yes my off-time clothes as I call them definitely aren't court room ready lol

Interviewer: How do you judge what to wear around each client?

Interviewer

How would you define your courtroom style?

How would you define your everyday style?

Kacey: No bright pink colors, always neutrals nothing low-cut or form fititng

Kacey: my everyday style is like legal but cute it's not courtroom style because of the colors and patterns I like statement necklaces boyfriend watches pencil skirts etc

Kacey: courtroom style is always blue, black, or grey skirt suit white blue or black collar blouse underneath pearl earrings 3 inch black leather heels light makeup

Kacey: everyday wise I like colored lip glaze, eyeliner, mascara, etc court room it's neutral lip balm, a little mascara that's it 5 minutes or less[N310] 

Interviewer: Why do you think there is such a difference between the two?

Kacey: just everyday wise I'm not in court but I am at school or in the clinic so I have to be professional but i can still have some say in my wear

Kacey: in the courthouse if an attorney doesn't respect the court house some judges will hold you in contempt

Interviewer: So do you feel like you don't have a say in what you wear in the court room?

Kacey: not really

Kacey: you can't really derive from the judge

Interviewer: If your wardrobe was criticized by a judge would you feel the need to leave and change?

Kacey: i would have to leave actualy

Kacey: so i try to avoid it

Interviewer: Really? I didn't know that. You would have to actually leave the room just because a judge was say preferential to skirts vs. pants?

Kacey: no

Kacey: but if i was wearing like something slutty

Kacey: or inappropriate[N311]  yes

Interviewer: Wat would be slutty or inapropriate

Kacey: short skirts

Kacey: tight pants

Kacey: bright colored suits

Interviewer: Oh ok and that's slutty? Do you think that jurors who see a female attorney dressed "slutty" also don't give them much credibility like the judges?

Kacey: yes

Kacey: i think perspective from jurors is always there

ADDITIONAL NOTES

·         Compare the opinion of Kacey to reference essay

·         Define how the two are similar and different

·         Talk about Kacey’s credentials

---

 [N31]Category created by the participant

 [N32]Defines her different classifications of dress that she has observed a female wear

 [N33]The participant distinguishes between a woman and a lawyer …Are they not the same thing, is the same thing defined in terms of men?

 [N34]Acknowledges an issue effecting society and in a way comes across as ok with it yet disappointed at the same time

 [N35]Participant provides a topic of discourse for the legal community

 [N36]This story is about her seeing people identify with her sexuality and how if she dresses a certain way it gives males permission to dismiss her

Her presences is about her sexuality not her brain mind body

 [N37]Participant identifies with one of the category’s that she was in the past (inappropriate)  refers back to comment 22 in how her appearance made her once be looked at in a certain way and not taken seriously

She began to notice she wanted to be taken seriously

 [N38]Participant does not directly say yes in response to the question which alludes to the her saying that she tries to be herself but knows that she truly cannot if she wants to be accepted into the discourse community

 [N39]Identifies that there are flaws in the discourse and that she is not pleased with them

 [N310]Participant identifies the particulars of expected fashion in the court room

 [N311]Participant adds another category of fashion that lawyers wear 

Blog 14/15

Interviewer: So Tell me a little bit about yourself

Interviewer: Where do you go to law school?

Interviewer sent out invitation(s)

Kacey: Southern University Law Center

Kacey: in Baton Rouge

Interviewer joined the chat 6 days ago

Kacey: I'm originally from Brooklyn, NY I went to the best university University of Miami and I'm about to graduate next semester

Interviewer: So your an L3 student? Have you been inside a court room to observe a female attorney ?

Kacey: yes I'm a 3L, and yes I've seen women often in the courthouse and legal field

Interviewer: When You first met then can you recall there appearance?

Interviewer: How did she dress?

Kacey: Well

Kacey: a lot of the women I see down here are kind of big so they wear what I call church suits

Kacey: they're kind of outdated and not really form fitting

Kacey: but back home I see more modern looking suits although occasionally you see lawyers wearing the inappropriate sexy professional clothes

Interviewer: What does that tell you about them from first impression ?

Kacey: well

Kacey: first impression is everything

Kacey: especially in the court room

Interviewer: What do you mean by that

Kacey: as a woman in the court room they aren't looking at you as a lawyer it's a woman first

Kacey: so if you have high heels shiny nails nice hair it automatically makes people think less of you

Interviewer: Oh really? why do you think that is?

Kacey: just because sexism still exists

Kacey: and the legal community is a still a boy's club

Interviewer: Can you give me an example? Do have a personal story or know of an instance where the "sexism" or a "boy's club" was apparent?

Kacey: Sure

Kacey: an a older white gentleman about 20-30 yrs my senior would often look straight at my breasts or legs while I was speaking to him

Kacey: or would make comments about the "ladies's room" and how I got there because of my smile or my looks

Interviewer: Do you think that your fashion choices may have been a factor in those instances ?

Kacey: absolutely

Interviewer: How so?

Kacey: At the time I was in college and had the pink fingernails and the tighter clothes and I think that was it

Interviewer: Do you feel as though females are pressured to dress and look a certain way in order to be taken as serious as a man?

Kacey: yes

Kacey: I feel we have to tone down our looks in this world

Kacey: well legal world

Interviewer: Would you say that you are fashion forward?

Kacey: I would think so I'm not a Naomi Campbell though

Interviewer: LOL well do you feel that it is possible to be fashionably satisfied with your attire while still being able to be taken serious as a legal professional?

Kacey: I try to look traditional but have my own little spin

Kacey: so like I'll wear a skirt suit that's still knee length and in the right color but I'll have a silk purple blouse underneath or a cute belt

Interviewer: Ohh ok so would you say you try to stay true to your style but still acknowledged the "role" you have to play as a female in the court room?

Kacey: yes

Interviewer: Do you think your appearance effects the type of clientele you acquire?

Kacey: yes

Kacey: unfortunately

Interviewer: Why unfortunately?

Interviewer: Do you have any stories that relate to your career in law and your fashion choices?

Kacey: just men often hit on me at the courthouse like the criminals

Kacey: or even my tax clinic clients I assist low-income clients with their tax liability/filing taxes

Kacey: and they always try to flirt with me and like make fun of my voice etc

Interviewer: Really that's ridiculous. As a result of instances like this do you feel as though females in the profession are pressured to look a certain way to be taken more seriously?

Kacey: yeah

Kacey: or because of this I have to act more stern

Kacey: to try to prove that I'm not just there for like eye candy

Interviewer: Can you explain or give an example

Kacey: i just often have to speak up to be heard or remind them that I am a student attorney and not a video vixen

Kacey: especially the young black clients

Interviewer: About how long would you say you take to get ready in the morning? Do you ever find yourself not wearing things you normally would to avoid instances like this to avoid sexist comments or situations?

Kacey: it takes me about a hour

Kacey: because I don't like to rush

Kacey: and yes all the time

Interviewer: Would you say that your wardrobe for your leisurely time is noticeably different that your legal attire?

Kacey: i always plan my outfits around who I'm going to see

Kacey: yes my off-time clothes as I call them definitely aren't court room ready lol

Interviewer: How do you judge what to wear around each client?

Interviewer

How would you define your courtroom style?

How would you define your everyday style?

Kacey: No bright pink colors, always neutrals nothing low-cut or form fititng

Kacey: my everyday style is like legal but cute it's not courtroom style because of the colors and patterns I like statement necklaces boyfriend watches pencil skirts etc

Kacey: courtroom style is always blue, black, or grey skirt suit white blue or black collar blouse underneath pearl earrings 3 inch black leather heels light makeup

Kacey: everyday wise I like colored lip glaze, eyeliner, mascara, etc court room it's neutral lip balm, a little mascara that's it 5 minutes or less

Interviewer: Why do you think there is such a difference between the two?

Kacey: just everyday wise I'm not in court but I am at school or in the clinic so I have to be professional but i can still have some say in my wear

Kacey: in the courthouse if an attorney doesn't respect the court house some judges will hold you in contempt

Interviewer: So do you feel like you don't have a say in what you wear in the court room?

Kacey: not really

Kacey: you can't really derive from the judge

Interviewer: If your wardrobe was criticized by a judge would you feel the need to leave and change?

Kacey: i would have to leave actualy

Kacey: so i try to avoid it

Interviewer: Really? I didn't know that. You would have to actually leave the room just because a judge was say preferential to skirts vs. pants?

Kacey: no

Kacey: but if i was wearing like something slutty

Kacey: or inappropriate yes

Interviewer: Wat would be slutty or inapropriate

Kacey: short skirts

Kacey: tight pants

Kacey: bright colored suits

Interviewer: Oh ok and that's slutty? Do you think that jurors who see a female attorney dressed "slutty" also don't give them much credibility like the judges?

Kacey: yes

Kacey: i think perspective from jurors is always there

Blog 13

Research question:
How does fashion choice impact the assumption and credibility of a female lawyer in the courtroom?
In the courtroom is it more important to be true to yourself or to address the opinions of other court room officials such as, jurors, judges, other attorneys, etc.?
How does court room assumptions on women's fashion choice effect the female lawyer herself and the presumptions made in the court room?

All of the above data and questioning will be acquired using how a law student thinks shes perceived in the professional court room environment. I chose to question female law students because they will become the female lawyers and attorneys who may some day be faced with the above problems.

Why this study is important:
By using the opinions of the future female lawyers to address these questions, it will hopefully open the eyes of these attorneys and allow for them to make a differecne and possible change their habits. The double standard place upon women in power, especially those in chosen supposed male dominated fields, is ultimately holding back women's potential in the hopes of reaching true equality in all aspects including the work force. Women to this day are still paid 77 cents on the dollar in comparison to a man, with the addition of that lesser salary, they additionally have to focus on the  sexism that is associated with fashion choices and how a woman is perceived based upon their appearance. Women are at a clear disadvantage. This analysis will hopefully allow for the clarity and justify the need for change that is necessary in order to create equality, at least in the terms of clothing and staying true to your own style, for women in the courtroom.

Category's of Analysis:

Analysis of the lawyers/ law students own clothing, hair, accessories, body type
    in the court room and in leisure time
   (may also look at how ethnicity plays into how a woman should dress)

What a female law student perceives the role of  a female lawyer should be in the court room
   Do you think a woman who is "put together, has it together"
   Is a woman who wears more expensive clothes "Worth" more
   or
   Dose more attention to appearance mean less attention to work and ethic

A lawyers relationship to the case
  Is it something they are passionate about
  Is the judge preferential to a certain dress... should that effect how the lawyer dresses
  Is the case something that needs to be looked at in a certain light
     is it an abuse case
     is it a case that concerns at trial

Look at what law student thinks in terms of how she should dress
    from ones own experience have they experienced anything similar to the situations discussed
    how has it effected the person
    if you could wear what you wanted would you
   

Connection to Research Source:

The research source Beyond a reasonable doubt: one size does not fit all when it comes to court room attire for women by Maureen A. Howard talks about how there are different types of female lawyers. Each type of lawyer has to understand herself and her attire, in understanding herself and committing to it, the lawyer also has to understand that that means she has been typed. In being typed it implies when doing one thing you cannot do the other, committing to one type is at the discretcion of the attorney but the lawyer has an audience and has to appease them. I becomes a moral dilemma between staying to ones self and their chosen style and addressing and submitting to the reality that you are judged on your appearance.

Research instruments:
Interview protocol
Questions asked
Photo analysis of clothing
Ananlysis of research source

Self Assessment for Short Analysis Blog 12

20   quality of the research question
20   developed categories of analysis relevant to the data and to the research question
15   relevant, effective examples to demonstrate what the categories show with respect to the research question
15   clear, direct statements of what the examples show with respect to the research question
15   clear, logical organization appropriate for writing studies research essays
10   conclusion  sums up findings and reflects on limitations of the analysis and/or further possibilities for study
5     grammar/readability


16 - My research question wasn't exactly a question but it was clear and coherently discussed throughout the paper
20- I found a different spin to analyse the psychology that is the art of interviewing and how the interviewer reads the interviewee in order to positively guide the interview in the preferred direction 
15 - I used example that were short yet relevant to the topic and were not overwhelming as to just take up space thus making my paper about the analysis not the dialogue
15- I explained each example, how it related to the interview its self and how it related to the discourse of interviewing in whole
15 - used headings, introductions and transitions to make the paper flow
7- The conclusion summed up the paper but could have went into more detail
5- flows very well 

=93 A- based on the rubric However if I had to give myself a letter grade Id likely give myself a B or B-

Blog 11

"Put your best foot forward". This saying has been around for many of years but in todays day and age the follow up question on every ones mind is "What is that foot wearing?" Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Yves Saint Laurent, or Lavin, all designers that literally allow you to put your best foot forward. In a lucrative position such as being a lawyer in the courtroom, perception is everything. You are constantly being observed by the jurors, the judge, and even other attorneys, so being at your best is imperative. This being said, women in a male dominated field such as being a lawyer in the court room have to set a standard that will make them be noticed and taken seriously. But cant you do that in Calvin Klein? In my research I want to unveil the sexist standard that is put on women in terms of their appearance in the courtroom. By interviewing female law students and using "Beyond a reasonable doubt: One size does not fit all when it comes to court room attire for women"  by Maureen A Howard  I hope to show that there is an unrealistic expectation of how a woman has to dress in order to be perceived as confident and taken seriously in all aspects when in a court room.