The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/34686
THE VIRTUAL DRESS CODE Of course, there is another extreme to consider. Will dress codes even be relevant in 2020? Ten years ago, laptops that weighed nearly twice as much as today’s models were slowly being incorporated into many firms’ standard technology stables. At that time, we were struggling to figure out if and how to support those new BlackBerry things that attorneys kept reading about in in-flight magazines. Today, even laptops are passé in some circles. Smartphones, tablets, wireless data networks, computing in the cloud, telepresence and other advancements have made mobility a practical reality. Attorneys and many of the professionals supporting them can effectively do their jobs from virtually anywhere. If the current pace of development and innovation continues, the physical office may be a virtual dinosaur by the year 2020. Ten years from now, will it really matter whether we wear a suit or jeans? Will management need to dictate whether we wear loafers or flip-flops? After all, today’s dress codes are about promoting a professional image as much as they are about protecting people from the questionable fashion choices of others. If we don’t have to face the physical reality of it, perhaps personal comfort should rule the day — however an individual chooses to define it. If a developer does his best work immediately after a five-mile run, let him knock out that code before he hits the showers. If a financial analyst prefers old t-shirts and spandex leggings, let her work on those AR reports from the comfort of her home office, rocking a Rolling Stones t-shirt. In short, perhaps the rule of thumb for 2020 will focus on actual results and deliverables, and not what we were wearing to produce them. Some say the clothing of the future will incorporate fantastic technology like electric nanofibers that convert body movements into electricity and spray-on liquid glass sealant that is permanently resistant to dirt, water, radiation and other contaminants. Indeed, the clothes of the year 2020 may eliminate the need to charge your mobile device, if it isn’t already integrated directly into your shirt collar or a patch behind your ear. Ten years from now, we may not even have to do laundry. Whatever the future of fashion holds, two things are for certain: law firms will be among the absolute last to adopt the prevailing trend, and our HR departments will issue new, elaborately detailed dress code policies to explain it all. ILTA Kate Cain is Manager of Business Intelligence with Winston & Strawn LLP. She has worked for large law firms in the Chicago market for nearly 13 years in a variety of roles, including trainer, training and support manager, project manager and business analyst. Her current role in the business development department focuses on the firm’s alternative fee initiatives and internal strategic financial analysis. Kate currently serves as the Vice President of ILTA’s Professional Services Peer Group, she has been a frequent contributor to publications and has served as a conference speaker. She can be reached at kecain@winston.com. Face Time: Some (Not So) Serious Style Tips I n the virtual, highly mobile world of the future, we will still need to physically interact with our co-workers and other colleagues once in a while –– even if only to maintain some sort of human connection. On those occasions, the old rules and common sense will still apply whether it is the year 2011 or 2020. Borrowing from the policies shared in responses to my informal survey and my experience marveling at how law firm dress codes have been interpreted, I believe the following concepts are true today and will remain so well into the future: • Not all feet are fit for open-toe viewing away from a pool deck. Gentlemen, this applies to most of you. • Just because you can zip, snap, button or otherwise secure a particular garment, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good fit. • If you wore it in high school, college or law school, it might be time for that outfit to retire from public appearances (pajamas, anyone?). • Clothing designed for assuming the “warrior” or other yoga poses is simply not appropriate for the office on any day –– casual or otherwise. • And, please, please, please do not take your office fashion cues from any of Bravo’s housewives…of any city/ county. ILTA 82 www.iltanet.org Peer to Peer