New York Lawyer
September 9, 2004

Q:
Is it acceptable to have neatly groomed facial hair such as a goatee? I look eighteen years old when I am clean-shaven, and the facial hair seems to give me credibility.

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A:

I�ve answered many questions through the years from people who look young and want to increase their credibility. In many industries, youth is an asset, conveying energy and new ideas and innovation. In the law, however, age and experience is more revered. While this mindset has its advantages and disadvantages, it does present special challenges for those who not only are young but look like teenagers. Obviously the only real cure for a lack of age and experience is getting older and gaining more experience. By that time, you�ll be looking longingly back at your vanished days of youth, so keep some perspective about this issue. Nonetheless, it�s true that clients in particular often look askance at a fresh-faced young lawyer, lacking confidence that someone who looks 18 can properly represent them. There are many ways you can work to overcome this issue, and while sporting a goatee is perhaps one of them, don�t feel that that�s the only approach. Here are a few thoughts: Don�t overcompensate. Often newbie lawyers come on too strong, to make up for their deficiencies. This behavior only underscores their youth. Instead, cultivate a quiet confidence on the outside, even if inside you feel less than assured. Dress and comport yourself to gain some gravitas. Casual dress makes a young person look even more so, so be careful about what you wear; err on the side of dressing formally. Similarly, be wary of displaying too many college-kid antics that can cement an image of you as immature and untrustworthy. Keep your clients in mind. What you want to do is give your clients confidence and peace of mind. If your clients tend to be very conservative (and clean shaven), they may be uncomfortable with a hirsute lawyer. Be aware of the culture in your firm. Along the same lines, you need to take a look at the culture of the firm and see what�s acceptable. If the power brokers are conservative and goatee-free, they will feel more comfortable with people who look similar. I�m not saying you need to be a Stepford lawyer to fit in, but it�s wise to take the cultural temperature in determining what works and what doesn�t. Amazingly, things like "he has a weird goatee" actually can have an effect on the perception that others have of you, whether they�re conscious of it or not. It�s up to you to determine whether you approve of or understand such strictures, but they undoubtedly play a role in evaluating people, so be conscious of these points when you make your choices.

Sincerely,
Holly English
Principal Consultant, Values at Work