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they're kind of outdated and not really form fitting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