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I have a "screening interview" for a law clerk position coming up for a large (V100) firm in DC. Meeting with a partner for coffee across the street from his office. Interview was scheduled by HR after I cold-emailed them about an open position and submitted my application materials.

Should I wear a suit since this is technically an interview or business casual (shirt/slacks) since the interview will be held in a coffee shop?

FYI, I work full-time in a non-legal position where most people wear business casual attire. The partner probably knows that I currently work and will be meeting him on my lunch break.

Anonymous User wrote:I have a "screening interview" for a law clerk position coming up for a large (V100) firm in DC. Meeting with a partner for coffee across the street from his office. Interview was scheduled by HR after I cold-emailed them about an open position and submitted my application materials.

Should I wear a suit since this is technically an interview or business casual (shirt/slacks) since the interview will be held in a coffee shop?

FYI, I work full-time in a non-legal position where most people wear business casual attire. The partner probably knows that I currently work and will be meeting him on my lunch break.

I would go nice button down, jacket/slacks, no tie.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 23&t=63606


If you are a male then read this ^

If you are a woman, a nice burqa will do.

Anonymous User wrote:http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 23&t=63606


If you are a male then read this ^

If you are a woman, a nice burqa will do.

That thread is all about suit style. A suit is way overkill here.

Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. How are you going to feel if/when the attorney shows up in a suit and you're not even wearing a tie?

hoorahray wrote:Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. How are you going to feel if/when the attorney shows up in a suit and you're not even wearing a tie?

This. Every interaction is essentially an interview, I don't care if you're talking to the partner at the urinal next to you. Always treat it like an interview. First impression would be key.

reread OP, and saw that this is something set up by HR. I apologize, that definitely is a suit situation.

would strenuously disagree if this was an informal coffee.

Wear what you feel confident in. If it's a fri interview I doubt he'll be wearing a suit to coffee. If you're gonna feel lame over dressed in a suit when he's not do the jacket and slacks no tie, lose jacket if he's really dressed down. If you're cool being over dressed or gonna feel lame under dressed, wear a suit.

Wear a suit. This is an interview. Why is this even a question? This is a screening interview set by HR.

Wear a suit and tie. If you see the guy without a suit, just take off your jacket. And now you're business casual, with the partner thinking that you came prepared but were keen enough to adjust for circumstances.

suit up

It's always easier to take off your tie, than to put it on when you don't have one. Live by that when it comes to these things and you'll be fine.

There is no way you should not wear a suit to this.

The question of what to wear really concerns law students and summers. Some partners expect you to wear a suit, some don't care. A wise partner at my firm once commented that nobody is ever docked for wearing a suit. If you just wear a suit there's no longer a question of if you're dressed inappropriately.