Who in the Hell Wants a Law Firm T-Shirt?

For reasons unknown, lawyers far and wide have chosen to name their businesses after themselves. Take a look at the law firms in your town – you might think that “Last Name,” “Last Name, Last Name, & Last Name,” “Last Name & Sons,” and the “Law Offices of Last Name” were the only options available. I guess what the legal industry lacks in creativity it makes up for in narcissism.

All jokes aside, to their credit, it’s a harsh industry. I don’t harbor any ill will toward the attorneys who’d rather go with the flow than break the mold – but that ain’t me folks.

I’ve taken the opportunity to be different. My hope is, I can help others break the mold too.

“The Longhair Lawyer” isn’t a gimmick – It’s a symbol. It’s a message. It’s the idea that being a “professional” means being approachable and meeting people where they are in life. It’s the idea that you don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not for the sake of looking the part. It’s the idea that being a “good attorney” doesn’t mean being a jerk in a fancy suit.

I could try to spread the message one client at a time. I could post on LinkedIn until the cows come home. I could even walk down to the local courthouse and scream it at the top of my lungs. I don’t think it would make it very far.

On the other hand – get a few people to throw on a t-shirt – and any message travels far and wide. Besides, what could possibly spread this message – about approachability, accessibility, and relatability – better than someone in a t-shirt.

My hope is that anyone who relates to my message and my brand – be they legal outcasts, rebellious law students, dad’s with lawyer jokes, kooky professors, cool paralegals, hippies, impractical intellectuals, the black sheep of their industry, or regular folks – can throw on a t-shirt and spread the word.