If you dress in a style that is different from the mental image people conjure up for a serious claimant, you are going to have a tough time convincing the judge or jury that you are, in fact, a lawyer. Extremes of dress have no place in the courtroom. If you have not read the “dress for success” books, you should do so. Remember, you are essentially selling yourself to the judge and jury and successful salespersons must look good. Personal appearance communicates a lot about a person. Wear a suit, shirt, tie and shoes that go together if you are a man. If you are a woman, wear a nice dress or suit that gives you good coverage with sensible shoes and keep jewelry conservative and simple.
Remember your own physical appearance: Your hair, your beard, your hands, and your make-up. If you look like a “dirtball” or a “floozy”, people are going to think you are a “dirtball” or “floozy”. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to appear disheveled, unkempt, or unclean. All of this sounds very basic. If you show up with your hair in disarray and you have part of your breakfast still in your beard or on your blouse, you are going to have a tough time. You are going to lose a psychological edge whether you are dealing with the court or a jury.
Tricia Dennis is a Chattanooga accident attorney and author of “10 Dos & Don’ts of Auto Accidents“


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