How to Dress for a Summer Associate Law Interview

Dress conservatively for a summer associate law interview.

Law students who are interviewing for a summer associate law position might wonder what they should wear to the interview. The key is to look professional. The purpose of a summer associate law position is to try out how well the person might fit in as a full-time associate after graduation from law school. Therefore, applicants need to look the part of an attorney. Here is how to dress for a summer associate law interview.

Instructions

1. Recognize what the interviewer is looking for. The lawyers who will be interviewing you for a summer associate law position are looking for applicants who will fit in as lawyers with their law firm. Therefore, you must look the part if you want to be hired for the job.

2. Understand that the legal profession is conservative. Even very liberal attorneys are expected to wear conservative suits when they appear in court before a judge. Wearing anything other than a dark, conservative, professional suit to court can be viewed as disrespectful toward a judge as well as the jury. You need to show your interviewer that you can look the part.

3. Buy a conservative business suit. Whether you are a man or a woman, you need to own at least one (and preferably three) conservative business suits (dark grey or dark blue) to work as a summer law associate. The suits should fit comfortably (not too tight) and should be of an appropriate, conservative length. A woman’s business suit should cover the knees when standing.

4. Purchase a conservative white, button-down business shirt to wear with your suit. The shirt should have a collar and buttons down the front. The shirt should be buttoned to the top with a tie for a man or a pin for a woman.

5. Accessorize conservatively. Men should always wear a tie to an interview for a summer law associate position. The tie should be nondescript (no silly symbols on it) and of a conservative color, such as dark red or blue (no fluorescent or pastel colors). Women should wear modest, conservative jewelry, such as small pearl or diamond earrings. Women’s pantyhose should be nondescript as well.

6. Wear professional-looking shoes. Women should avoid any heels that are higher than 2 inches. The shoes should complement the conservative image that you are presenting.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you are hired to work as a summer associate, you can assess how the associates dress for work and adjust your own style accordingly. However, you should always err on the side of dressing too conservatively when you interview for a summer law associate position.