Do I have to straighten my hair for Law School/Firm? Forum

[phoenix323]

I am an incoming 1L (AA Female). I currently wear my hair in small braids. I've been told that due to the conservative nature of the profession, it is preferable for AA females to wear their hair in a straightened style (relaxers, presses, weaves, etc.) I've always worn my hair in braids and I really don't want to have to use excessive heat or chemicals on my hair in order to straighten it. However, I also don't want to do anything to lessen my chances for a good job in the future. Do you think I will appear unprofessional if I don't straighten my hair or that I might be passed over for opportunities?

Thanks for the input!

[SamSeaborn2016]

I can't speak for law firms since I haven't spent much time in them yet but I've worked in fairly conservative banking environments since college and I've seen a variety of styles with the AA women I work with. A couple have longer braids but both pull the bundle of braids back and tie them. The women with shorter hair tend to either leave it naturally short and curly or press it flat.

I'm sure you will have better answers from some of the AA women on the forums here but I suspect you will be fine.


FWIW: I'm a white guy and I don't tend to pay close attention to people's haircuts unless they are particularly wild such as mohawks or bright colors.

[phoenix323]

I can't speak for law firms since I haven't spent much time in them yet but I've worked in fairly conservative banking environments since college and I've seen a variety of styles with the AA women I work with. A couple have longer braids but both pull the bundle of braids back and tie them. The women with shorter hair tend to either leave it naturally short and curly or press it flat.

I'm sure you will have better answers from some of the AA women on the forums here but I suspect you will be fine.


FWIW: I'm a white guy and I don't tend to pay close attention to people's haircuts unless they are particularly wild such as mohawks or bright colors.

Thanks! This makes me feel better. I truly appreciate your input : )

[MartianManhunter]

Im working at one of the larger firms in DC and several associates wear their hair in braids, longer curls, or natural - they just pull it back for work. The culture here is less conservative than New York, though.

[Favor2010]

For law school, I don't think it will matter at all (unless your chosen school is extremely conservative). It may be an issue for interview settings, externships/interships, and jobs for some law firms, depending on what region you choose to work in. I wear my hair natural, and there are a variety of styles you can use for professional settings without excessive heat or chemicals (blow-outs, flexi-sets, rods, conservative straw sets, conservative up-do's etc). I was recently at a minority law event, and I saw many AA women (students, law professors, and practicing attorneys) wearing braids, dreads, curly fro's, twist, and a variety of other natural styles. So, NO, you don't have to wear straight hair. Just realize that it may be an issue for some. Do your research to get a feel for what may be acceptable in a potential intership or job placement, and go from there. I'm sure you will not be the first from your chosen school to have this question or concern. So connect with 2L/3L's AA women from your school to get a feel for things. Also, do a google search on "natural hair." There are a wealth of great sites out there on natural hair styling and much more.

I am an incoming 1L (AA Female). I currently wear my hair in small braids. I've been told that due to the conservative nature of the profession, it is preferable for AA females to wear their hair in a straightened style (relaxers, presses, weaves, etc.) I've always worn my hair in braids and I really don't want to have to use excessive heat or chemicals on my hair in order to straighten it. However, I also don't want to do anything to lessen my chances for a good job in the future. Do you think I will appear unprofessional if I don't straighten my hair or that I might be passed over for opportunities?

Thanks for the input!

[phoenix323]

For law school, I don't think it will matter at all (unless your chosen school is extremely conservative). It may be an issue for interview settings, externships/interships, and jobs for some law firms, depending on what region you choose to work in. I wear my hair natural, and there are a variety of styles you can use for professional settings without excessive heat or chemicals (blow-outs, flexi-sets, rods, conservative straw sets, conservative up-do's etc). I was recently at a minority law event, and I saw many AA women (students, law professors, and practicing attorneys) wearing braids, dreads, curly fro's, twist, and a variety of other natural styles. So, NO, you don't have to wear straight hair. Just realize that it may be an issue for some. Do your research to get a feel for what may be acceptable in a potential intership or job placement, and go from there. I'm sure you will not be the first from your chosen school to have this question or concern. So connect with 2L/3L's AA women from your school to get a feel for things. Also, do a google search on "natural hair." There are a wealth of great sites out there on natural hair styling and much more.

This is so helpful. I will do some research on these styles. Thanks!

[howardsbest]

It honestly depends on the law firm you are at and the city you are. I don't think that you have to change your hair style as long as it is presented in a professional manner. You don't want your hair to be a distraction. (I am an AA male. )

[casper13]

Let em argue with this hairstyle lol

[phoenix323]

It honestly depends on the law firm you are at and the city you are. I don't think that you have to change your hair style as long as it is presented in a professional manner. You don't want your hair to be a distraction. (I am an AA male. )

Thanks! I agree. I've always worn my hair very nicely and I have worked in the financial industry without any problems. I was told it might be different in the legal field. I have small braids, not excessively long, no strange neon colors. I can always put them in a bun as well.

Thanks for responding : )

[sundevil77]

Let em argue with this hairstyle lol

Uhhhh...her hair is straightened, I think.

[phoenix323]

Let em argue with this hairstyle lol

Uhhhh...her hair is straightened, I think.

Yes, it most certainly is.

[phoenix323]

And regarding ^^^ I definitely did not mean to imply that there is anything wrong with choosing to straighten ones hair. I just did not want to be forced into doing so. Fwiw, I think the First Lady is a beautiful woman.

[gamblera]

.

[trialjunky]

Also, with natural hair you can get it blown out to look like that pic of the first lady ^^^^ for 15 bucks at your local Dominican hair salon, should you want to spruce it up for an interview or anything. I have natural hair and I do it myself and everyone thinks my hair is relaxed until I wear it curly.

Currently, I work at a law office. We have only a few AA women who work there. One of them wears her hair in braids but she puts it up in a bun and it look completely fine. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Favor2010]

Yeah from what I hear our first lady has no chemical straighteners (relaxers), and she relies on blow-outs for straight-looking styles like this.

Let em argue with this hairstyle lol

Uhhhh...her hair is straightened, I think.

Yes, it most certainly is.[/quote]

[MartianManhunter]

does anyone know any men with dreads in law schools?

I've had mine for many many years.

Edit: Meant to say that I think law school will be more forgiving than that first biglaw job.

[phoenix323]

does anyone know any men with dreads in law schools?

I've had mine for many many years.

From what people are saying about braids, I'm wondering if the same thing would apply for men. Maybe wearing them tied back in a ponytail will be fine?

[Tanicius]

--ImageRemoved--

I'd think that's just fine.

[dominkay]

--ImageRemoved--

I'd think that's just fine.

Her hair is fine, but her outfit is a train wreck.

[phoenix323]

--ImageRemoved--

I'd think that's just fine.

Her hair is fine, but her outfit is a train wreck.

+1
Who dressed this mess?!?!

[king3780]

does anyone know any men with dreads in law schools?

I've had mine for many many years.

I go to a LS with a lot of AA students and I don't recall seing a male with dreads. They all have their hair very short or head shaved.

To the OP, I can't comment on firms, but at least at my school plenty of the AA girls don't straighten their hair.

[Pip]

In school it wont matter.

For a job it might. You will be best served to be yourself while in school but be prepared to go for a straight conservative look when you are doing interviews. Once you have a job you can tell from what the partners look like as to whether you will need to stay straight or change back to what you want.

It is always better to assume that everyone interviewing you is conservative, because they don't ding you for being too conservative but they might ding you because you weren't conservative enough.

[Jay]

I have dreads (shoulder length in front and almost midback in the back) and as an AA female I have come across no problems. I haven't worked in a legal office in the US yet b/c I studied abroad but throughout college and now law school, my natural hair has never been a hindrance in interviews and obtaining internships. Now I have on occasion heard the ignorant comments about my hair in law school but never in a professional setting. You should def keep your hair natural if you so choose b/c natural hair can be versatile. Many ppl do not know the options one can use when wearing natural hair so make sure you find a natural hair salon in the city where you will attend law school and tell the stylist that you want to have a more conservative look for natural hair.

PPl told me in college right b4 law school that I should cut my dreads and opt for a snatch-back so I can look "professional." But I have to say wearing wigs and getting perms is not the ONLY way to achieve a professional polished look for AA women, it is down right silly. If you have to wear a wig for an interview in order to land a job, then that may be problematic if you decide to wear your natural hair after you begin working for that firm, esp if the firm has strict grooming policy. And If you have to change your look in order to work for a particular firm, what other things are you going to alter in order to keep your job. Hair may seem to be a futile point for some, but to me it can be the beginning to the end if you don't stand up for what you want. You should def follow any grooming policy to the T, but natural hair can also satisfy those standards as well.

So I encourage you to explore the options of having braids that would satisfy those grooming standards and please do not feel any pressure to straighten your hair. I am so passionate about this b/c it has affected me soo much so that if we want schools and firms and other orgs to fully embrace the diversity of AA women, then we need to stand firm and educate ppl that straighten hair is not only undesirable but an unhealthy practice for AA women.

Someone asked if they knew any AA males in law school with dreads, well I know a couple and they do not intend on cutting them. Since I am not a man I know the issue of hair affects them differently from women but it is still relevant, keep your locks if they mean something more to you than just a hairstyle. Otherwise you may have to cut them once you begin working in the legal field if the grooming policy calls for it.

[dgthree]

--ImageRemoved--

Suffolk Dean doesn't have relaxed/straightened hair and I think she still looks very professional.

[phoenix323]

--ImageRemoved--

Suffolk Dean doesn't have relaxed/straightened hair and I think she still looks very professional.

+1