Firm reception for rising 2Ls. Dress code? Forum

[Anonymous User]

They say it's business casual. Should I still wear a suit and tie just in case?

[fatduck]

i just met you, and this is crazy, but the dress code is business casual, wear business casual maybe?

[abc12345675]

They say it's business casual. Should I still wear a suit and tie just in case?

They went out of their way to say it's business casual. If you show up in a suit they will think that you either can't follow directions or are a giant douche.

[20130312]

They say it's business casual. Should I still wear a suit and tie just in case?

you ... are a giant douche.

[Anonymous User]

Can anyone say whether going to these things actually means anything?

[concurrent fork]

i just met you, and this is crazy, but the dress code is business casual, wear business casual maybe?

But seriously wear a suit if you don't want to stick out. Even at events that are expressly biz cas, 95% of law students will show up in a suit.

[abc12345675]

i just met you, and this is crazy, but the dress code is business casual, wear business casual maybe?

But seriously wear a suit if you have one. Even at events that are expressly biz cas, 95% of law students will show up in a suit.

Maybe 95% of douchebags will show up in a suit. Seriously, don't wear a suit.

[tedalbany]

Just wear a long sleeve shirt and slacks, keep a jacket and tie in the car just in case everyone else (including firm associates) is in suits.

[concurrent fork]

i just met you, and this is crazy, but the dress code is business casual, wear business casual maybe?

But seriously wear a suit if you have one. Even at events that are expressly biz cas, 95% of law students will show up in a suit.

Maybe 95% of douchebags will show up in a suit. Seriously, don't wear a suit.

Have you actually gone through OCI? I went to a dozen of these things and almost everyone was in business attire, regardless of what the invite says. There's usually one dude in khakis that sticks out.

[fatduck]

i just met you, and this is crazy, but the dress code is business casual, wear business casual maybe?

But seriously wear a suit if you have one. Even at events that are expressly biz cas, 95% of law students will show up in a suit.

Maybe 95% of douchebags will show up in a suit. Seriously, don't wear a suit.

Have you actually gone through OCI? I went to a dozen of these things and almost everyone was in business attire, regardless of what the invite says. There's usually one dude in khakis that sticks out.

whoa, whoa. who said anything about khakis? dress shirt and slacks, no tie, no jacket.

[concurrent fork]

Agree to disagree. Maybe our experiences were in different markets.

[tedalbany]

Agree to disagree. Maybe our experiences were in different markets.

I went to an ASW event in VA and everyone disregarded the instructions and went to everything in suits... maybe it's a VA thing? But just look at the associates. If they're in business casual and the invite says business casual, the ones in suits are going to be the gunner d-bags. If everyone is in suits including the associates, then you can probably just wear a suit.

[abc12345675]

Agree to disagree. Maybe our experiences were in different markets.

Fair enough. I don't think OP is going to get screwed whether he shows up in slacks/dress shirt or a suit. He'll look professional and employable either way. OP, just don't show up in Tims and a Lebron jersey.

[Anonymous User]

Wear business casual. All the attorneys will be wearing business casual too.

[Ludo!]

i just met you, and this is crazy, but the dress code is business casual, wear business casual maybe?

But seriously wear a suit if you have one. Even at events that are expressly biz cas, 95% of law students will show up in a suit.

Maybe 95% of douchebags will show up in a suit. Seriously, don't wear a suit.

Have you actually gone through OCI? I went to a dozen of these things and almost everyone was in business attire, regardless of what the invite says. There's usually one dude in khakis that sticks out.

100% this. Every firm reception I went to last summer said business casual and every rising 2l wore a suit

[romothesavior]

Don't wear a suit. Following simple instructions = TCR.

Also, to the person who asked if going to these things can help, the answer is yes. It's not going to get you a job, but they wouldn't have these things if they weren't judging the talent pool. Try to make 1-2 really positive impressions while you're there. Just don't lay it on too thick or come off like a d-bag. For example, don't wear a suit if it says biz cas.

[Anonymous User]

Also, to the person who asked if going to these things can help, the answer is yes. It's not going to get you a job, but they wouldn't have these things if they weren't judging the talent pool. Try to make 1-2 really positive impressions while you're there. Just don't lay it on too thick or come off like a d-bag. For example, don't wear a suit if it says biz cas.

They're also useful for legitimizing the positive things you'll want to say if you interview with them for OCI. I went to a rising 2L reception at the firm I'm currently an SA at, and in all my interviews I would go back to "this SA told me how good the assignment program was for the summer" or "this partner told me how they staff deals in his practice group" or "this associate told me how she gets plenty of client contact" and so on. It sounded better than the interviews with other firms, at which I didn't have a similar experience, when all I could say was second hand info and generalities.

So, not essential, but can beneficial.

[Pate]

They say it's business casual. Should I still wear a suit and tie just in case?

Did the invite say you could bring a guest? If not, what is the usual protocol?

[r6_philly]

i just met you, and this is crazy, but the dress code is business casual, wear business casual maybe?

But seriously wear a suit if you have one. Even at events that are expressly biz cas, 95% of law students will show up in a suit.

Have you actually gone through OCI? I went to a dozen of these things and almost everyone was in business attire, regardless of what the invite says. There's usually one dude in khakis that sticks out.

100% this. Every firm reception I went to last summer said business casual and every rising 2l wore a suit

Yes, that's when you standout, for being able to read and exercise proper discretion.

[r6_philly]

Don't wear a suit. Following simple instructions = TCR.

Also, to the person who asked if going to these things can help, the answer is yes. It's not going to get you a job, but they wouldn't have these things if they weren't judging the talent pool. Try to make 1-2 really positive impressions while you're there. Just don't lay it on too thick or come off like a d-bag. For example, don't wear a suit if it says biz cas.

It's hard to make connections at receptions because they are designed to market the firm to everyone. It is much easier to get an interview/job by going to local bar association events open to law students.

[vegeta]

whoa, whoa. who said anything about khakis? dress shirt and slacks, no tie, no jacket.

Really, no khakis?

[r6_philly]

whoa, whoa. who said anything about khakis? dress shirt and slacks, no tie, no jacket.

Really, no khakis?

I wear khakis and a polo sport button down shirt to everything that's biz casual. I go on firm information interviews and partner lunches in khakis.

[Detrox]

Wear Biz Cazh, wear a suit. Guess what? No one is going to care. At least, no one who doesn't post on TLS will.

[romothesavior]

Wear Biz Cazh, wear a suit. Guess what? No one is going to care. At least, no one who doesn't post on TLS will.

orly? I can 100% guarantee you that if the firm I work for explicitly said "wear biz casual" and you didn't, they'd raise an eyebrow. Dunno about autoding, but it would hurt.

[Anonymous User]

If you RSVP but don't show up, does it matter?