Beard at Trial an Absolute No-No? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Presenting a motion for the first time next week. I was wondering if I have to shave? I have had a clean and trim full beard for about 3 years now. I'm told it looks good but don't really care about the aesthetic. It's more to protect my face as I had to shave daily by 7th grade and started noticing some l/t effects. My primary concern is if I shave I'm going to have a full beard tan line and look ridiculous.

Was wondering what the beard in court policy is - think a progressive San Franciscoesque city. It is one of those things that nobody would ever bring up in person, which is why I think it's a perfect question to ask a bunch of anonymous people. I've never argued in court, and know that on Making a Murderer, it seemed like all the lawyers were clean shaven. Nevertheless, it's difficult to ascertain whether they were clean shaven because they were in court or because they don't like facial hair. I've spent hours going back and forth, because I am very bored and very vain. I would appreciate an answer supported by sound logic. Thanks.

[rpupkin]

It would be a non-issue with my firm and our clients. I see lawyers in court with beards all the time, from SF to Houston to New York to Delaware.

Is there a reason you haven't asked the partner/senior attorney on the case?

[A. Nony Mouse]

I also see lawyers with beards in court all the time.

[zot1]

And here I came to read this thread not realizing you meant actual facial hair.

[kellyfrost]

I'd probably shave.

[Tanicius]

No one will care.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

People forget that facial hair is cyclical. I would argue that we have emerged from a period where facial hair was not fashionable. Depending on the decade, lawyers have sported beards and mustaches in court. I think we're now in a time where it's perfectly acceptable to have a well-maintained beard. Beard is fine and I say that as someone who can't grow a beard.

[mjb447]

People might notice, but in the same way that they would if you wore an unusual suit or a bolo tie or something. (The bar for remarkableness in court is sometimes very low.) It shouldn't adversely affect you, particularly if your beard is "clean and trim."

It's also possible that someone at your workplace might care about the public face you're presenting, but if you haven't gotten any guidance about that yet it seems unlikely.

[BasilHallward]

And here I came to read this thread not realizing you meant actual facial hair.

+180. Me too.

[izha]

Presenting a motion for the first time next week. I was wondering if I have to shave? I have had a clean and trim full beard for about 3 years now. I'm told it looks good but don't really care about the aesthetic. It's more to protect my face as I had to shave daily by 7th grade and started noticing some l/t effects. My primary concern is if I shave I'm going to have a full beard tan line and look ridiculous.

Was wondering what the beard in court policy is - think a progressive San Franciscoesque city. It is one of those things that nobody would ever bring up in person, which is why I think it's a perfect question to ask a bunch of anonymous people. I've never argued in court, and know that on Making a Murderer, it seemed like all the lawyers were clean shaven. Nevertheless, it's difficult to ascertain whether they were clean shaven because they were in court or because they don't like facial hair. I've spent hours going back and forth, because I am very bored and very vain. I would appreciate an answer supported by sound logic. Thanks.

Are you a guy?

[Anonymous User]

I have a beard, am in biglaw, and have been in court maybe a dozen times in the last two years. I shaved it for a jury trial but wouldn't do so (and haven't done so) for a motion hearing.

[kellyfrost]

I have a beard, am in biglaw, and have been in court maybe a dozen times in the last two years. I shaved it for a jury trial but wouldn't do so (and haven't done so) for a motion hearing.

Interesting that you felt it necessary to shave for trial.

[Sgtpeppernyc]

Are you biglaw / representing a corporate client? If so, ask the partner - sometimes, it's less about the judge and more about the partner or client. I used to work in NYC biglaw, and had a partner unequivocally tell me that I needed to shave my beard before going to court. Particularly conservative clients may also draw a negative inference if it doesn't go well.

In reality, I couldn't imagine a judge deciding against you simply because you have a well-groomed beard, but I would ask first internally.

[FamilyLawEsq]

It is no problem. 2 judges in my county have beards. Just tried an case last week in a neighboring county, the judge had a beard that was scraggly.

[elendinel]

Are you biglaw / representing a corporate client? If so, ask the partner - sometimes, it's less about the judge and more about the partner or client. I used to work in NYC biglaw, and had a partner unequivocally tell me that I needed to shave my beard before going to court. Particularly conservative clients may also draw a negative inference if it doesn't go well.

In reality, I couldn't imagine a judge deciding against you simply because you have a well-groomed beard, but I would ask first internally.

This. If it matters a lot to someone, it'll probably be whomever you're working under, or your client (whom the supervisor should know). You should ask them.

[barkschool]

Did u win the motion b/c of beard or no?

[Anonymous User]

my very nice-natured judge in new england pranked about a counsel who had a beard that it was "keeping it warm". I mean if you are appearing for the first time, and the Judge might be an old fashioned guy and he doesnt know you from before- I would shave it, it's not hard at all and eliminate all potential problems.

[rpupkin]

my very nice-natured judge in new england pranked about a counsel who had a beard that it was "keeping it warm".

I have no idea what this means.

[RaceJudicata]

I wonder what Judge Easterbrook would say about this tread.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7h1H7C8me8Y/hqdefault.jpg

[Voyager]

Is Judge Rakoff in danger of being removed from the bench?

[Anonymous User]

If it's neat and suits you, no problem.