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Kacey: they're kind of outdated and not really form fitting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