Business Professional, Business Casual, and Snappy Casual: What to Wear

When planning your outfit for an event, it is always tricky to decode the attire requested.  What's the true definition of all of the dress codes on invitations?  How casual is too casual?  Are you too formal?  Do you stick out like a sore thumb?

We are here to explain the top three dress codes for the law profession.

Business Professional

This is the most formal dress code that will be requested.

The Suit

Business professional usually indicates that people are looking for a dark suit.  Both pantsuits and skirt suits are permissible, and you can even wear a dress with a perfectly matched jacket.  Light colored blouses (white, off-white, and pastels) are considered acceptable.

The Shoes

With business professional, you usually want to dress as conservatively as possible, with your shoes matching the color of your suit.  Basic black pumps for black and gray suits and basic navy pumps that match the shade of your suit.

 

Choose a heel height at which you are comfortable walking.  You do not want your feet to be throbbing half-way through a networking event where you are searching anywhere for a place to sit down.  This could even make you miss an opportunity to meet the partner that is there for a short period of time.  It is also smart to break in the shoes a few days before the event.  Just put them on and walk around for thirty minutes at home each day until they are comfortable and form to your feet.

The Bag

The one things girls don't usually consider when planning for events is what bag they will bring.  The smartest choice is a medium-sized purse that you can fit a pen and notepad in, just in case someone forgets their business cards and you need to write down contact information.

A basic bag without too many frills is always a smart choice, so you don't look too trendy.  It also makes it easy to grab and go if you are in a bit of a rush, and it does not look like you are trying to "walk the runway" when you are making a first impression.

 Makeup & Hair

Makeup and hair: the trickiest hurdle.  For business professional events, keep it super simple.  You want to make sure that you look presentable, but not like you are going to a nighttime gala.

A mostly natural face is the best way to go.  That way, you are easier to recognize at other events, and you look polished.  The essentials that I always wear if I am in a quick time crunch are a foundation, powder, blush, mascara, pinky nude lipstick, and neutral eyeshadow.  If I have some extra time, a thin line of eyeliner and some simple contouring.

Your hair should be neat and simple.  I like to tie my hair back into a bun at the top of my head to avoid my bangs getting into my eyes.  If you have curly hair, finger combing through with some anti-frizz mousse is a safe bet. Or, if you have the extra time to spare, straightening your hair is always an option. I always set my hair with hairspray--it prevents flyaways and from your hair collapsing on you before the event is over.

 Jewelry

With jewelry, it is always good to go dainty and simple.  Nothing too flashy.  Small pieces in either silver or gold (depending on your taste and preferences) are a good bet.  Save the statement jewelry for another occasion.

   

If you have pierced ears, it is best if you wear some kind of earring, otherwise, your ears look oddly naked.  Simple necklaces that sit nicely on your blouse are a cute, feminine touch.  Bracelets aren't a necessity, but they pull your look together.  For those girls that like to wear more than one at a time, make sure that they are not too clinky when you move your arm--it can be distracting.

Business Casual

This is quite a step down--it is more laid back open for a little bit more for freedom of expression.

The Outfit

Business casual is quite a bit laid-back, and you can "mix it up" a little.

Cute sweaters, patterned skirts, decorative blouses, and colored slacks are all a definite yes in this category.  You can reveal a little more of your personal style.  One of my favorite things to do is wear an outfit in my school colors with matching red pumps and a red purse.  (I am definitely one for school pride, and there is an adorable skirt I found that has my three school colors weaved together.)  Don't be afraid to be a little bolder.

The Shoes

Here, statements and originality are not a bad touch.  It is okay to let some of your personal taste sneak in. 

 

I always like to wear heels because I am short, so it makes me feel a little bit more confidence and power, but a pair of nice flats is completely acceptable.  Just make sure they aren't the pair that has been hiding in your closet since freshman year and looking a little worse for wear.  If you are wearing an extra special pair of shoes, cropped pants or a skirt can help you make your statement.

The Bag

Your bag should always match your shoes, even if they are the ones making the statement.  If you are wearing black shoes, pair them with a black bag.  If your shoes are nude, then wear a nude bag.  But, the bag can be a little more exciting because of the nature of the event.

 

Again, I recommend a bag that can fit a pad of paper and a pen to collect some contact information. A good rule of thumb is a bag that can fit your wallet, your phone, and has a little extra room for anything else you may need to carry.

Makeup & Hair

Here, you can be a little more laid back with your hair--but by no means does that mean that it cannot be styled.  Messy buns, as long as they are pinned up can pass as a trendy and cute fashion choice.  You can also wear your hair down, as long as you set it with a flexible hold spray.  Frizz is still a strong no.

If you are worried about your hair going flat, investing in a good set of hot curlers is a fantastic idea.  Since full-on 80s hair hasn't quite made it back into the fashion world yet, you can comb your hair once you unpin it.  Then, flip your hair upside down and make sure to spray both sides of your hair with flexible hold hairspray.

 

The makeup rules here are also slightly more lenient.  You can accent with a bold lipstick or a little bit of "oomph" with your eyeshadow.

 

Jewelry

You can pull out some of your statement pieces for business casual occasions.  If you have a cute statement necklace or interesting earrings that match your outfit, feel free to use them to stand out from the crowd.

 

Snappy Casual

Snappy casual essentially follows all of the rules of business casual, but rather than slacks or a skirt, you wear your best pair of jeans.  The jeans should not have any rips or designs, they should be a solid dark wash.

  

We hope this guide has been very helpful, and that it will help you plan ahead for your next law or business event.

Hugs and kisses,

The Addicted Lawyer: Lecture by Brian Cuban

Brian Cuban, the middle brother of the famous Mark Cuban has quite the story to tell.  He revealed that the road to getting your J.D. and passing the bar is not that easy, and it can have even bigger obstacles if one is facing addiction.

The "Inner Child"

Some people think that addiction is linked to inner demons, but Cuban spoke of his inner child.  When he looked in the mirror, the reflection that looked back was a "disappointment" with less than average grades, a "fatso" that ate Chef Boyardee ravioli out of a can, and a "pushover" that was the target for the bullies at school.  His relationship with his mother became tumultuous early on in his childhood and worsened as he got older.  Every day, little Brian woke up with lots of "baggage" that he carried with him.

Brian's older brother, Mark, was entrepreneurial at a young age--riding his bike all the way from a small Pittsburgh suburb to Cleveland to obtain newspapers when the local press went on strike.  Brian looked up to his brother throughout his life.  One day, Mark gifted Brian with a pair of bell-bottom gold disco pants, as was in the fashion of the 1970s.  When Brian wore these to school, the bullying escalated even further.  On a walk home from school, the bullies tore Mark's gift off of Brian's body and shredded them.  Brain sadly walked home, attempting to hold up shreds to cover the lower half of his body.

In his mind, these actions validated all of the thoughts that echoed in Brian's mind when he looked in the mirror.  He felt very insignificant to himself and everyone else in the world around him.

The College Monster Reared It's Head

At 18 years old, Penn State freshman Brian looked forward to moving into his dorm and starting the next chapter of his life.  He was standing in the hallway when he spotted a cute girl with curly brown hair.  Mustering up the courage, he introduced himself and attempted to start a conversation.  She took in a breath, turned her head, and shouted "UGLY!" at the top of her lungs.  Brian's heart dropped to the floor and he hid in shame.

He was never going to date, no one was ever going to love him, and his entire life was out of control.  Grasping for any kind of control he could, Brian started to restrict his food intake.  He engaged in anorexic behavior, and his depression worsened.  This "control" did not make him feel better.  His eating disorder transformed into binging and purging bulimia, then exercise bulimia.  When Brian ate, he would go to the gym and exercise so much that it would completely offset his caloric intake.

He was in survival mode--he saw no future for himself.  His 21st birthday brought on even more negative change.  Brian deadened his emotions with alcohol.  The numbness dulled the constant pain.  He began drinking every night to be confident enough to socialize.  He drank every day to go to class.  For the majority of his junior and senior years at Penn State, he was in a constant state of drunkenness or hungover.  Brain did not want to face the real world.

One day, Brian heard some of his friends talking about attending law school.  He saw this as an opportunity to avoid reality for another three years.  When he sat for the LSAT, he received a decent score and applied to Pitt Law with his friends.  As soon as he received his acceptance letter, he sent his deposit and made plans to go to law school.

Why Did I Even Go to Law School?

The first day at Pitt Law--Brian reaching another milestone--was not the happy one that it was meant to be.  Brian's brain told him that every other student there saw right through him to who he really was: a fat pig that did not belong.  His instincts told him that all he had to do was survive.  He could continue drinking and survive.  However, quickly things began to deteriorate and he realized that he may not graduate.  The same habits he had in undergrad would no longer cut it.

During the first Civil Procedure class, the professor called on Mr. Cuban.  Brian replied that he did not know the answer to the question.  The professor persisted, phrasing the question in a different way.  Brian again refused.  The professor attempted a third time and Brian exploded.  "Leave me alone!"  This set the precedent for the rest of his three years at law school.  He was so ashamed of his behavior that he did not even attend graduation.

Downfall in Dallas

In 1986, Brian moved in with his brother Mark.  This was just gasoline on the fire.  He felt like Mark was babysitting him and pushing him to take the Texas Bar Exam.  Brian did not like the constant supervision, and he would often get into arguments with his brother over his behavior and excessive use of alcohol.

The summer of 1987 led to his introduction to cocaine.  He was in the bathroom of the Crescent Hotel for an event when another person offered to give him a line.  This brought him to a high that he had never felt in his lifetime.  When he looked in the mirror, he finally saw someone that was loveable.  He was instantly addicted to the feeling, even though he wasn't physically dependent... yet.

Mark finally encouraged Brian to take the Texas State Bar Exam.  Brian found a room in a seedy Fort Worth hotel where he could "study".  His study aides were 3 ounces of cocaine, a bottle of Jack Daniels, and 2 liters of Tab.  These study tools were not as helpful as he hoped they would be.  Brian failed the test twice before he finally passed by the skin of his teeth.

Passing the bar finally helped Brian become gainfully employed.  Cocaine became his new best friend.  He would bring cocaine to his office and the courthouse in order to clear his mind from the hangovers that he suffered from his constant drinking.

One night, Brian was out with friends, celebrating a court case win, and he decided to drive himself home.  A police officer pulled him over, tested his BAC and found that he was above the legal level.  He was charged with a DWI.  Brian called his lawyer and was able to escape conviction--he evaded the consequences of his addiction.

As his addiction to alcohol and cocaine progressed, he began to lose clients.  He was no longer effective at his job as counsel.  In order to maintain employment, Brian began to take cases that he should not have taken.  He was desperate.  Whenever friends or family reached out in concern, he denied their help and put on a mask of contentment.  He had attempted human connection through marriage, but after three failed he quit on himself.

The Apex

In 2005, Brian attempted suicide.  When his brothers Jeff and Mark entered his house, they found remnants of drugs and alcohol littered everywhere, and Brian was holding a gun to his head.  They took him to the Green Oaks Psychiatric Facility.  The trouble was that Brian, with his lawyer training, was able to talk himself out of anything.  He was discharged and ordered to spend two weeks at home with minimal contact with the outside world.  Angry for this lockdown, Brian lashed out towards good friends and family.  He called his drug dealer, who did home deliveries for his high-profile clients and wallowed in self-pity.

During January 2006, it seemed like Brian's life was on the upswing.  He met a fellow lawyer, Amanda, and began dating again.  Mark was very proud of his brother's progress and put Brian in charge of the construction of the American Airlines Center.  The longer leash caused Brian to repeat the cycle of addiction.  He began using again, and he would show up to planning meetings high or drunk.

April 2007 was an alarming wakeup call.  Amanda returned home to the residence that she shared with Brian, and she looked down at him passed out on the kitchen floor.  Two days were blacked out in Brian's memory.  He was readmitted to Green Oaks and received treatment.  Amanda stood by Brian for a decade, even though he initially refused to enter a residential facility or follow a twelve-step program.

The Happy Ending

It took Brian quite a while to convince himself to enter a twelve-step program.  Initially, he would do fake walk-bys down the hall before entering the room.  During his first meeting, he sat there crying as he listened to the stories and the testimonies of the other people present.  He could not help but compare his life experiences to the ones described.

This meeting made Brian long for one day of a clear mind.  He wanted one full day with his family.  On April 8, 2007, he spent a full 24 hours with his family.  Since that day he has not had a single drink or a relapse with cocaine.  Brian had to work through a lot to reach his sobriety.

He had to deal with the little boy with a troubled childhood with an overwhelming need of affirmation.  He had to let go of his anger towards his mother and the rest of his family.  He had to forgive himself.

Brian has been seeing a psychiatrist for 15 years dealing with his depression, and he even writes letters to his inner child about the importance of loving oneself.  "Shame knows no hourly rate."

"Wives and girlfriends may come and go, but all you have are your brothers."--Norton Cuban

To Do Lists Can Save Your Life

Raise your hand if you ever forgot to complete an important assignment, task, interview, or meeting.  Everyone's hand is probably raised right now, and if yours isn't--I don't believe you.  We have all had the "oh no" moment.  Human memories are a little too much like sieves for my liking.

Easy to Prioritize

If everything is sitting on the same piece of paper, it is easy to figure out what tasks need to be completed first and which ones can wait until last.  When you look in your fridge and all you see is some sour milk and shriveled up lemons, then you know grocery shopping must be at the top of your list.  If you have tons of reading for your classes, you can either put the readings in length order or class order, whatever makes it more convenient for you.

Pneumonic Devices

Writing things down, it allows you to try out different memory devices, so you avoid forgetting something essential.  Maybe you can make an acronym or saying (Can Tommy Peel Cold Citrus) to remember the order of your exams (Contracts, Torts, Property, Civil Procedure, Constitutional).  This can help you make an effective study plan where you focus on what you are struggling with.

Relieving Stress

Who isn't a fan of making life simpler?  If you don't have the pressure of remembering your personal tasks, you have more time and ability to remember material that you covered in class, and you can focus on school.  I am a huge to do list proponent because I can clear my mind when I know everything has been crossed off.

Keeping Your Dates Straight

Was the summer associate info session scheduled for March 20th or May 20th?  Did I have a meeting with my professor on the 6th or 16th?  These are questions you will never have to ask yourself if you write it down on your to do list and add it to your calendar when you get the chance.  We all know the "heart dropped to my stomach" feeling when you realize that you are 30 minutes late to a mandatory assembly.  Also, it can even help those who usually arrive late (like me) to get there on time.

Be your own knight in shining armor and WRITE THAT STUFF DOWN.

Hugs and Kisses,

What's A Social Life?

This is the question that every law student asks themselves...

Yes, from the first day of law school, it seems like your schedule is always packed with assignments, club meetings, and studying.  It is important to keep on top of your school work and obligations, but you cannot function on all of this alone.  Every person, even a law school girl, needs to come up for a breath of fresh air from time to time.  Social interaction and free time is just as important as studying--even the ABA agrees with us.

Make Breaks Productive

When you do decide to take a break from your studies, make it as useful as possible.  If you are feeling extremely stressed, choose an activity that will actually relax you.  Do not pick something that will cause other issues to weigh on your mind, this will make you even more stressed.  You should also pick one day a week where you push law school out of your mind and fill your day with fun activities.

"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy."

Elle Woods was correct on this point.  A run around the block, a quick workout video, or a SoulCycle class with a friend can make a strong positive impact on you and your body.  Working out can actually give you a boost of energy, and it can help you power through reading a tough case.  It also helps you keep a healthy lifestyle during a time where it does not seem that you have the time.  Law schools are notorious for their free food to attract students to attending events.  Usually this food is not the healthiest (cookies, pizza, donuts, etc.).  Making exercise part of your weekly routine can help balance this out and keep you awake and alert.

A Clean Home is a Happy Home

I know, I know, this is such a cliche.  And cleaning your room/apartment/house sounds like the the last thing you want to do when you get home after class.  However, it is very true.  Clutter in real life equals clutter in your brain.  I feel guilty even putting this suggestion up here because I don't always follow my own advice on this.  I can say that when all my dishes are clean and put away, my laundry is done, and my carpet is vacuumed I feel physically better.  One of my favorite things to do while doing the housekeeping is blasting my favorite music and singing along.  It makes chores seem less endless, and you can even bust out into your most embarrasing dance moves.

Read a Book for Pleasure

Looking at more words on a page may sound like the last thing you want to do after reading hundreds of pages of legal jargon, but allowing your brain to stretch creativity can actually help with problem solving.  If you don't want it to be a solitary activity, you can make a small book club among friends with no deadlines, pressure, or expectations.  The creative part of your brain can actually kick in when writing your law exams--you may see something that other students don't, or come up with another solution that your classmates may not consider.  Even rereading an old favorite can help, making your mind more perceptive.
 

"He drinks a whiskey drink / He drinks a vodka drink / He drinks a lager drink / He drinks a cider drink."

Tubthumping may have enjoyed staying out all night partying, but they did not need to get up the next day to finish a twenty-something page brief.  Drinking to cope is never the answer, and pushing yourself past your limits can lead to some really regrettable consequences.

Everybody Loves Game Night

Being social does not mean that you have to be the life of the party.  Sometimes the best thing to do is have a low-key game night where everyone brings their favorite snack or splurges for some take-out.  For this activity, it is best not to let your competitive side get the best of you.  Pull out a game that doesn't have high stakes.  Cards Against Humaniy, Uno, Clue, and Scrabble are some of my favorites.  They are not complicated games, everyone knows the rules, and you can basically start and stop the game whenever you want.

Avoid Staring at Another Screen

Netflix and Chill is never the best choice.  You are already straining your eyes so much during the week, that staring at another screen is just going to deteriorate your vision even more.  I know, sometimes you feel like you need to watch a mindless episode before bed, but the light from the screen will actually keep you up and make you have less fitful sleep.  If you want to do something that does not require too much thinking, have your friends come over for a casual night in for just talking and laying out on the couch.

You Don't Need to Impress Anyone

Do not let yourself feel pressured to go out just because everyone else appears to be doing it.  This is the along the lines of the "if everyone jumps off a cliff..." argument.  If you are in the mood to go home and use your freetime to take a nap, go for it.  If you just want to play fetch with your dog, you do you.  If running around the house with a cat toy tied to a string sounds like your idea of a good time, then that is what you should do.  The only person that you need to impress is yourself and future employers.

Love and luck to all,

Looking Toward Law School--The Soft Side

When you are applying to law school, you have to show that there are more dimensions to you as a person than the numbers that appear on your short sheet to the law school.  That is something that people easily forget when it comes to having a well-rounded application.

Your Resume

One of the easiest first steps is to clean up your resume.  It should include all of the positions that you held in undergrad and the organizations in which you were involved.  The emphasis should be placed on the initiatives that you started yourself.  If you were a member of the student government, then you should make sure to point out any projects that you started yourself.  This reveals that you can take charge, and you are able to be a strong leader.  Keep your resume as updated as possible.

Organization

A lot of the "oomph" of your resume can be lost if you have a poor organization.  The first thing to focus on is putting your accomplishments into categories.  A lot of schools have a typical format that they expect their students to use.  I recommend starting with this first--it is what law schools and employers expect from a student coming from your undergraduate program.  Usually, resumes are one page long.

The one universal element that holds true for every format, is that every point listed on your resume should be placed in order of importance.  One way to gauge this is a simple one--from the accomplishment you are most proud of to the least.  It is always a good idea to use your campus career services, older sibling, or parent as a second set of eyes on drafting your resume.

Resumes should always have a header.  The header should contain your full name, email address, phone number, and a mailing address.  This allows the admissions counselors to easily file your information in case they need to contact you.  (In the worst case scenario, if you are placed on the waitlist, they can quickly and easily get in touch with you.)

Font

The best kinds of fonts to use for your resume are serif ones, like Times New Roman, Constantia, or Cambria.  If the serif font doesn't allow you to fit your entire resume on one page, then there are a few sans serif fonts that are still acceptable.  Calibri is one that is safer--it is actually smaller than the serif options, along with Segoe MDL2 Assets.  Remember, using bold is very important when making headers for your sections.

Personal Statement

Personal statements are where a lot of people's voices fall flat.  They have an exciting personality shown through their resume, then their personal statement leaves something to be desired.  The personal statement may seem daunting because it is such an open-ended paper, but it is truly an opportunity for you to show the law school what you can add to their next class.  If you have a funny story about starting weekly programs in your dorm, that is the one you should tell.  If you ended up dancing on stage with a celebrity, that is the story you should tell.  All you need is the ability to tie this back to your talents and qualities.

The best way to find a topic that is enticing and exciting for the admissions counselor to read is to find something that is NOT listed on your resume.  You do not want the two documents to mirror each other.  The resume and the personal statement give you the opportunity to express yourself in two different ways.  Show them that you are the mulifaceted person that they are looking for.

Good luck and much love,

Looking Toward Law School--The Hard Numbers

Looking at Your GPA

Now, this is where every single person initially starts their freak out.  Not very many people receive the perfect grade point average that they are used to in law school.  Either you had the typical "first semester adjustment period, or you chose a difficult major that led to a few speed bumps.  All of this is okay--you are not just your GPA.

I myself had a pretty middle of the road GPA following undergrad.  I majored in accounting with a minor in international studies.  Accounting at my school was known to be quite the competitive choice.  I had some difficulty in some of the more advanced classes, and I had to balance that with writing weekly papers for my International Studies classes.  Luckily for me, I was able to take most of my minor's classes during study abroad programs, and it is true what they say--studying abroad is a more relaxed environment in regards to grades.

If you do want to do a study abroad program, but you are worried about finances, I suggest going to speak to people in your study abroad office.  There are often scholarships available to students who have a strong interest in participating in their programs.  (Schools often want the study abroad statistics when they are advertising to students.)

But most of all, do NOT let your GPA drag you down.  If you are one of the lucky ones with an extremely strong GPA, congratulations.  Either way, the next step is to look at the LSAT.

Tackling the LSAT

The LSAT is a necessary evil for everyone that wants to get their JD.  Some people need to do it on their own, others need a multitude of help.  If you have trouble with testing, the LSAT actually offers quite a few options for testing accommodations if you fill out the necessary paperwork.  A lot of it needs to be notarized, so my suggestion is to look into these with significant time before you intend to take the test.

Prep Courses

I know that is hard to admit that you need help, especially if you are a Type A personality like most of us law students, but sometimes it can make a large difference.  There are quite a few LSAT prep courses that you can enroll in.  They vary quite a bit, in both structure and offerings, so what I did was "screen" the programs to one that fit my learning style.  The companies may interview you, but there is nothing wrong with practicing your legal skills early and interviewing them and finding what you need.

If the price tag is an issue, you can definitely negotiate packages with the different companies.  Sometimes, if you get lucky, some tutors will even work with you "off the books" for a reduced price.  Also, some tutoring services offer competitive pricing if you tell them about the prices of other packages.

The Test Itself

The only way to truly be prepared for something so systematic is practice, practice, practice.  I know it sounds cliche, but logic games do not come naturally to anyone.  They are meant to trick you.  But, the best part is that you can trick them right back with having some techniques up your sleeve.

A must is to complete some practice exams under "true testing conditions" with a time limit and all of the sections.  If you run out of time on some parts, you should still complete the questions, but mark where you stopped with a line, so you know if you need to train to pick up speed.  The LSAT is a marathon, not a sprint.

Much luck and much love,