My lawyer told me I looked like a homeless person (backpack + documents) minutes before my court hearing. When I complained, his response: “I’ll be more careful with my jokes next time.” A perfect example of non-apology.
#JustJoking #immigrationNarratives #homeless #immigrant
Tbh this lawyer was doing their job, even if the client found it distasteful and disrespectful. Every time I’ve been to court, whether as plaintiff or defendant, I was told to wear a black or gray suit, white collared shirt with at most the first button unbuttened, and sensible flats. It’s strictly based on the first impression of the majority of societally unconscious perception.
It doesn’t make it right, and delivery by a lawyer before trial leaves much to be desired, but they’re usually billing in minute-increment blocks.
Really?
Yeah this is very standard advice from legal representation in America. They do not want you to show up in a hoodie with a cool hat on or whatever, they want you to look bourgeois-style presentable
Yes. It’s not right, and delivery leaves much to be desired, but most of society is just stuck on appearances.
Yes, I see, but a) what makes you think I really look like a homeless person? (I know very well how to look like a “good” person in terms of appearance and attitude according to social expectations. After all, I’m born and raised in my homeland as an upper middle-class person. I think what made the lawyer think that I look like a homeless person was my winter jacket and the backpack. I had taken them off for the court and was wearing just a shirt with a pullover—so no hoodie, simple but presentable). b) What I don’t understand is that, no matter what I wear, this is not an appropriate time for such a joke, and it is at least not professional. If you have such a concern as a lawyer, you should be able to address it beforehand and not in the form of a joke. c) I just remembered that actually my ex spouse was way more Berlin cool sporty style but didn’t get such comment - maybe being white /bio-deutsch makes people more presentable than the other?
I addressed it to the best of my ability without a photo twice.