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How are they viewed in the legal profession generally? Would there be instances where it would be ok for me to wear my earrings?

I think it depends on the nature of the earring (i.e. big difference between a 3-inch gauge and a barely-noticeable stud) and what kind of legal work you'd be doing. They would be absolutely inappropriate in court, but whether they were appropriate in client-facing settings, etc., would be entirely situation-specific.

I'm talking about studs only, I don't plan on getting gauges. Would studs be inappropriate in court as well? Can anyone speak to how large firms or the federal government would view them? I imagine smaller firms and probably judges are going to be a bit more varied.

I feel like the answer is definitely going to be that it's practice group specific.

With that said, maybe there's a common enough answer to guess how the wind may blow in your particular office...

FWIW, as a data point, having a male associate wear stud earrings (even if just worn within the office, and not worn when meeting with clients/ going to court) would probably be pretty scandalous within my BL firm. Even if not banned/discouraged in a formal capacity, I could see it informally affecting your reputation within the group, especially with some of the older/more stuffy partners. I'd say my office is relatively informal in terms of centralized leadership, and is certainly not known for being a white shoe firm.

Yeah, biglaw and fedgov are going to be the least likely areas to approve of any kind of earring for men. I was thinking more along the lines of "cool" NGOs and public defender offices with looser rules about what constitutes "professional appearance."

cavalier1138 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 15, 2021 1:10 pm

Yeah, biglaw and fedgov are going to be the least likely areas to approve of any kind of earring for men. I was thinking more along the lines of "cool" NGOs and public defender offices with looser rules about what constitutes "professional appearance."

Oh! Yes, I totally missed that. I should have started my response with "In biglaw, the answer is going to be practice group specific."

I'm not really sure, but I'd imagine/at least hope that the vast majority of NGO-type jobs have no issue with it.

FWIW, I’ve never seen earrings on a male fedgov attorney. (At least, not one who ever has to go to court.)

I know a guy who had I'm guessing 0 Gauge earrings. He did mostly criminal defense at a small shop. He also joked about how he'd sometimes be mistaken for his clients.

I work in FedGov and want to help ease your concern. I wear studs and I’ve seen several other male attorneys wear earrings at work. I could see how it might depend on the office, but probably a non-issue with most agencies. I have never worn earrings in court. I’d second that Big law probably depends on the practice group.

Hello. I am new here. What do you guys think of men with earrings? Like diamond studs?