Lots of Tattoos and BIGLAW Forum

[Anonymous User]

hey i'm a 3L heading to a top big firm in NYC.

I summered there and ppl liked me (i assume), and I'm excited to go back.

I have lots of tattoos. A sleeve on one arm, a smattering of tattoos on the other, and my chest and back. Nothing on my neck or anything, though.

Over summer I just always wore long sleeve shirts w/ the sleeves all the way down. My tattoos stop a few inches above my wrist, so even when the cuff of my shirt sleeve slides down, you still don't see them. Basically i didn't want to risk anything fucking up an offer over the summer, so I played it safe.

Question is whether I should continue doing that once I start work or if you guys think it's okay to roll my sleeves up sometimes (lots of attorneys there wwalked around w/ sleeves rolled up). I don't have a problem keeping them covered, but sometimes it gets hot or whatever and you want to roll your sleeves up.

Sooo what do you guys think? Anyone in biglaw know ppl w/ visible tats? Total faux pas?

[Lacepiece23]

I have a lot of tats and I always keep them covered. LIke you I was just a summer. I plan on keeping them covered for as long as possible. I'm black tho. I feel a little self conscious about being a minority and having tattoes. Not trying to give off any stereotypes in the workplace. Thats just me though I don't have any meaningful advice. Just saying that I relate.

[Anonymous User]

I have a lot of tats and I always keep them covered. LIke you I was just a summer. I plan on keeping them covered for as long as possible. I'm black tho. I feel a little self conscious about being a minority and having tattoes. Not trying to give off any stereotypes in the workplace. Thats just me though I don't have any meaningful advice. Just saying that I relate.

I am also black and have lots of tattoos. I also do biglaw. It's not a problem. In fact, not a single person at my firm (other than a bro or two that I told) knows that I even have them.

I always keep my sleeves down. No need to show them at work. I'd recommend you do the same honestly. Maybe if you work at Quinn you can do whatever you want but biglaw is a pretty conservative atmosphere generally so I'd keep 'em covered

[Lincoln]

I'm a first-year associate at a very traditional NYC firm whose dress code specifically mentions "no visible tattoos". I have a sleeve on one arm and a tattoo that covers the entire inner wrist of the other arm. The one on the inner wrist is partly covered by my watch band, but it's almost impossible to hide when washing my hands or reaching to grab things, so I'm sure people have seen it around the office. No one has said anything, because I follow the dress code by not showing them, except by accident. I think if a client or partner noticed, it may get mentioned, but as I see it, I cover them to the best of my ability. If someone runs into me outside the office, well... that's outside the office. A bunch of the jr associates and paralegals have seen my tattoos when I've been in casual clothes, but it rarely gets brought up except by my peers who might say "dude i hear you have tats" or some other eloquent statement.

I would definitely recommend that you NOT roll your sleeves up in the office. Even if your firm doesn't specifically address tattoos in its dress code, more sr partners and clients will view it negatively. The last thing you want is to be noticed for a lack of "professionalism", which is how many more traditional lawyers would see it. Feel free to PM for futher details.

[JusticeJackson]

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[Anonymous User]

I'd keep my sleeves down, and do my best to cover the tats up.

I can just picture some of the 70 year old curmudgeon partners at my firm losing their shit and going on a 45 minute diatribe about how only hoodlums had tattoos or facial hair when they were first years walking to and from work uphill both ways for only $20,000 a year (which they gladly took without complaint because they liked it and weren’t full of entitlement like the first year whippersnappers these days).

OP here

lol...yeah. Thanks everyone else who posted. sleeves down it is. If they ever make me a partner, though, I'm gonna roll them up first day in my new corner office haha

[Anonymous User]

I'd keep my sleeves down, and do my best to cover the tats up.

I can just picture some of the 70 year old curmudgeon partners at my firm losing their shit and going on a 45 minute diatribe about how only hoodlums had tattoos or facial hair when they were first years walking to and from work uphill both ways for only $20,000 a year (which they gladly took without complaint because they liked it and weren’t full of entitlement like the first year whippersnappers these days).

OP here

lol...yeah. Thanks everyone else who posted. sleeves down it is. If they ever make me a partner, though, I'm gonna roll them up first day in my new corner office haha

Yeah, I can't think of a single person at my Biglaw firm (~500 person office) who has a tattoo that has ever been visible at work. In our firm gym I've seen a handful, but you definitely want to keep the sleeves down all the time. In a business where partners will ask, "lose your razor?" in the elevator if I haven't shaved in two days, you just have to keep it conservative.

As for what you do as a partner, you'll quickly find that it's sad but true that the only people more terrified of screwing up than associates are the junior partners.

[Balthy]

I'm a first-year associate at a very traditional NYC firm whose dress code specifically mentions "no visible tattoos". I have a sleeve on one arm and a tattoo that covers the entire inner wrist of the other arm. The one on the inner wrist is partly covered by my watch band, but it's almost impossible to hide when washing my hands or reaching to grab things, so I'm sure people have seen it around the office. No one has said anything, because I follow the dress code by not showing them, except by accident. I think if a client or partner noticed, it may get mentioned, but as I see it, I cover them to the best of my ability. If someone runs into me outside the office, well... that's outside the office. A bunch of the jr associates and paralegals have seen my tattoos when I've been in casual clothes, but it rarely gets brought up except by my peers who might say "dude i hear you have tats" or some other eloquent statement.

I would definitely recommend that you NOT roll your sleeves up in the office. Even if your firm doesn't specifically address tattoos in its dress code, more sr partners and clients will view it negatively. The last thing you want is to be noticed for a lack of "professionalism", which is how many more traditional lawyers would see it. Feel free to PM for futher details.

Thanks for sharing this.. really glad it's not a big deal. I have a sleeve down to the wrist too. Hard to not show it if, like you said, washing hands, grabbing something, etc. so I was pretty worried about it.

[Lincoln]

I'm a first-year associate at a very traditional NYC firm whose dress code specifically mentions "no visible tattoos". I have a sleeve on one arm and a tattoo that covers the entire inner wrist of the other arm. The one on the inner wrist is partly covered by my watch band, but it's almost impossible to hide when washing my hands or reaching to grab things, so I'm sure people have seen it around the office. No one has said anything, because I follow the dress code by not showing them, except by accident. I think if a client or partner noticed, it may get mentioned, but as I see it, I cover them to the best of my ability. If someone runs into me outside the office, well... that's outside the office. A bunch of the jr associates and paralegals have seen my tattoos when I've been in casual clothes, but it rarely gets brought up except by my peers who might say "dude i hear you have tats" or some other eloquent statement.

I would definitely recommend that you NOT roll your sleeves up in the office. Even if your firm doesn't specifically address tattoos in its dress code, more sr partners and clients will view it negatively. The last thing you want is to be noticed for a lack of "professionalism", which is how many more traditional lawyers would see it. Feel free to PM for futher details.

Thanks for sharing this.. really glad it's not a big deal. I have a sleeve down to the wrist too. Hard to not show it if, like you said, washing hands, grabbing something, etc. so I was pretty worried about it.

Just be mindful of it when around people with authority: partners, clients, etc.

My partner throws a big summer event every year. When I was a summer it was just an all-day bbq thing at his house. The weather was kinda shitty, so no one really noticed that I had my sleeves rolled down. But last year (when hadn't started yet) they had a beach party and everyone went swimming and such. It might be hard to avoid giving my tebori sleeve airtime sooner rather than later.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a first-year associate at a very traditional NYC firm whose dress code specifically mentions "no visible tattoos". I have a sleeve on one arm and a tattoo that covers the entire inner wrist of the other arm. The one on the inner wrist is partly covered by my watch band, but it's almost impossible to hide when washing my hands or reaching to grab things, so I'm sure people have seen it around the office. No one has said anything, because I follow the dress code by not showing them, except by accident. I think if a client or partner noticed, it may get mentioned, but as I see it, I cover them to the best of my ability. If someone runs into me outside the office, well... that's outside the office. A bunch of the jr associates and paralegals have seen my tattoos when I've been in casual clothes, but it rarely gets brought up except by my peers who might say "dude i hear you have tats" or some other eloquent statement.

I would definitely recommend that you NOT roll your sleeves up in the office. Even if your firm doesn't specifically address tattoos in its dress code, more sr partners and clients will view it negatively. The last thing you want is to be noticed for a lack of "professionalism", which is how many more traditional lawyers would see it. Feel free to PM for futher details.

Thanks for sharing this.. really glad it's not a big deal. I have a sleeve down to the wrist too. Hard to not show it if, like you said, washing hands, grabbing something, etc. so I was pretty worried about it.

Just be mindful of it when around people with authority: partners, clients, etc.

My partner throws a big summer event every year. When I was a summer it was just an all-day bbq thing at his house. The weather was kinda shitty, so no one really noticed that I had my sleeves rolled down. But last year (when hadn't started yet) they had a beach party and everyone went swimming and such. It might be hard to avoid giving my tebori sleeve airtime sooner rather than later.

Yea I was also worried about what I will do at events and such where things are more casual. Probably just try to avoid showing them if at all possible but at some point that may be hard to do. Oh well, hopefully I'll make good impressions on ppl I work with so at least the partners that know me won't judge me too much

[kalvano]

I would think that once you've actually started and are working and people have gotten to know you and like your work, having them see your ink at a casual get-together would be fine.

[patogordo]

Anyone in biglaw know ppl w/ visible tats?

no but i know one with visible teats

[Anonymous User]

I would think that once you've actually started and are working and people have gotten to know you and like your work, having them see your ink at a casual get-together would be fine.

Yeah. I would like to think this is the case but I really have no idea how stuffy some of these partners are. I'm sure some it would be nbd.

Also are u guys serious about the facial hair stuff? I stay cleanly shaven b/c it's my preference, but I saw a decent number of guys with facial hair at the firm. Nothing too untamed but definitely some groomed beards

[Devlin]

I would think that once you've actually started and are working and people have gotten to know you and like your work, having them see your ink at a casual get-together would be fine.

Yeah. I would like to think this is the case but I really have no idea how stuffy some of these partners are. I'm sure some it would be nbd.

Also are u guys serious about the facial hair stuff? I stay cleanly shaven b/c it's my preference, but I saw a decent number of guys with facial hair at the firm. Nothing too untamed but definitely some groomed beards

I think there is a fine line between being shaven or having groomed beards and having half assed facial hair that looks like you have not shaved in a few days.

[kalvano]

I would think that once you've actually started and are working and people have gotten to know you and like your work, having them see your ink at a casual get-together would be fine.

Yeah. I would like to think this is the case but I really have no idea how stuffy some of these partners are. I'm sure some it would be nbd.

Also are u guys serious about the facial hair stuff? I stay cleanly shaven b/c it's my preference, but I saw a decent number of guys with facial hair at the firm. Nothing too untamed but definitely some groomed beards

Right. I also think if the partner having the casual event is super-conservative and an old, it may go differently, but if (s)he is normal and under 60 and nice, then it likely won't be an issue outside the office.

The facial hair thing is endlessly debated with no real consensus. I would say that it only matters for hiring purposes, though, not once you've been hired.

[Anonymous User]

Sorry for necro'ing this thread but I was curious if any current summers in big law have tattoos and are worried about upcoming events? I have a sleeve and am at a pretty conservative firm. We have events coming up where it would be pretty odd to wear a long sleeve...so not really sure what the best move would be.

[Nebby]

Sorry for necro'ing this thread but I was curious if any current summers in big law have tattoos and are worried about upcoming events? I have a sleeve and am at a pretty conservative firm. We have events coming up where it would be pretty odd to wear a long sleeve...so not really sure what the best move would be.

I don't think you should cover up if you're at a social event. I believe the cover up advice concerns at work dress code

[TheSpanishMain]

My only tattoo is on my shoulder, so I never really had to worry about this, but I can't imagine anyone giving you shit if they see your tattoo at a social event where the dress is casual. I'd probably keep them covered at the office, though.

[Mickfromgm]

It's kinda dumb, but you'd better hide your tats while you work at BigLaw. People pass judgment on others quickly at BigLaw in particular. I feel bad for you during the social events over the summer. Ugh. I accidentally flashed my tramp stamp no more than 3 times, so that was okay.

[shock259]

Third year with a sleeve and a smattering of others. My "rule" is that I keep them covered when in the office or at events with partners. I don't mind if other associates see. That said, I know a few partners have seen and know about them. But no one's ever said anything.

As a summer, it sucks but you should keep them covered, even if it's a low key social event or if it is only associates around. It's dumb and it isn't fair, but it is what it is. This is a very conservative profession.

[Anonymous User]

Safest to keep them covered, especially as a summer. Even at social events. I wouldn't worry about it seeming odd to wear long sleeves. There are a lot of potential reasons for that - religious restrictions, need the sun protection for medical reasons, have burn marks or other scars you are self-conscious about, etc. Just grab a beer, smile, and act normal; no one should ask you to strip. I am a fourth year at the same firm I summered at, and I don't think my co-workers have any idea that they have literally never seen my arms.

Once you have been at a firm for a year or two and established your reputation, it's more of a personal choice whether to show them.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a first-year associate at a very traditional NYC firm whose dress code specifically mentions "no visible tattoos". I have a sleeve on one arm and a tattoo that covers the entire inner wrist of the other arm. The one on the inner wrist is partly covered by my watch band, but it's almost impossible to hide when washing my hands or reaching to grab things, so I'm sure people have seen it around the office. No one has said anything, because I follow the dress code by not showing them, except by accident. I think if a client or partner noticed, it may get mentioned, but as I see it, I cover them to the best of my ability. If someone runs into me outside the office, well... that's outside the office. A bunch of the jr associates and paralegals have seen my tattoos when I've been in casual clothes, but it rarely gets brought up except by my peers who might say "dude i hear you have tats" or some other eloquent statement.

I would definitely recommend that you NOT roll your sleeves up in the office. Even if your firm doesn't specifically address tattoos in its dress code, more sr partners and clients will view it negatively. The last thing you want is to be noticed for a lack of "professionalism", which is how many more traditional lawyers would see it. Feel free to PM for futher details.

Thanks for sharing this.. really glad it's not a big deal. I have a sleeve down to the wrist too. Hard to not show it if, like you said, washing hands, grabbing something, etc. so I was pretty worried about it.

Just be mindful of it when around people with authority: partners, clients, etc.

My partner throws a big summer event every year. When I was a summer it was just an all-day bbq thing at his house. The weather was kinda shitty, so no one really noticed that I had my sleeves rolled down. But last year (when hadn't started yet) they had a beach party and everyone went swimming and such. It might be hard to avoid giving my tebori sleeve airtime sooner rather than later.

Yea I was also worried about what I will do at events and such where things are more casual. Probably just try to avoid showing them if at all possible but at some point that may be hard to do. Oh well, hopefully I'll make good impressions on ppl I work with so at least the partners that know me won't judge me too much

More of life advice than anything, but if you're well liked and produce good work, but someone sours on you because they have seen your tattoo you don't want to be working for or with them anyway.

one of the smartest, more interesting VCs I've worked with (when I was in IBanking) who had a Harvard UG/MBA and Stanford JD had sleeves on both arms plus some more, road a motor cycle and hiked all over the world. Obviously being wicked smart has helped him throughout his career, but you gotta say fuck it to people who are dicks and want to pass judgement on something they see once. My guess is whoever would pass judgement has some pretty intense porn on their hard drive they don't want coming out or some other odd fetish, just saying.

[Anonymous User]

I'm in a tangentally-related situation where I don't have a lot of tattoos, but am considering getting one before I start a new job where I'll be in court a lot (considering an ankleband or armband tattoo on my upper arm; I'm a woman if helpful) in one of the more conservative districts. Would it be crazy to get one? I can't imagine anyone noticing a thin ankleband tattoo and recognizing it for what it is, but I wanted to get the horror stories first.

[Anonymous User]

hey i'm a 3L heading to a top big firm in NYC.

I summered there and ppl liked me (i assume), and I'm excited to go back.

I have lots of tattoos. A sleeve on one arm, a smattering of tattoos on the other, and my chest and back. Nothing on my neck or anything, though.

Over summer I just always wore long sleeve shirts w/ the sleeves all the way down. My tattoos stop a few inches above my wrist, so even when the cuff of my shirt sleeve slides down, you still don't see them. Basically i didn't want to risk anything fucking up an offer over the summer, so I played it safe.

Question is whether I should continue doing that once I start work or if you guys think it's okay to roll my sleeves up sometimes (lots of attorneys there wwalked around w/ sleeves rolled up). I don't have a problem keeping them covered, but sometimes it gets hot or whatever and you want to roll your sleeves up.

Sooo what do you guys think? Anyone in biglaw know ppl w/ visible tats? Total faux pas?

IMHO, fuck that shit. Rep your tats. You have to start from day 1 though, (not literally day 1, but from the beginning so you set the tone.) Obviously, you 1) have to remember that you work at a big law firm, so there is an expected decorum of professionalism, proper attire, etc. and 2) you have to consider what type of firm you work at (as in, the culture, tradition, etc.). I personally think that #1 shouldn't stop you from showing your tats and that #2 is your real concern, but I know some people here (read: some people who live and die by BigLaw and their rankings and have no chill) will think I am fucking crazy.

[BigZuck]

Are these anons 0Ls or like what's the deal why are they anon?

But yeah if you're a summer definitely keep the tattoos under wraps all summer, even at social events. We can sit here and argue if that's fair or not for like 7 pages cuz this is TLS after all but that's the correct answer.

/thread