Time for a Uniform Uniform Code?
My colleague Erik Jensen has a new paper calling for a "Uniform Uniform Code." The abstract reads, in full, "Law professors dress scruffily, and we need to do something about that." Professor Bainbridge is unconvinced.
Suppose your surgeon were wearing a business suit.
A dear attorney friend of mine recently called me in tears. Her father had just died at age 85. He had smoked cigarettes for over 60 years and died of lung cancer. Her first comment was she was going to sue the physician for not diagnosing the cancer earlier.
3L, you have obviously chosen the right profession for you. What possible excuse can I find to sue? Do you honestly believe having a mediocre mind is a justifiable cause for a law suit?
I prefer to show my patients respect by dressing appropriately. And if you ever go into the actual practice of law I predict that as you mature you too will choose not to greet a potential valuable client unwashed, unshaven and in sweats. You seem to be implying that dressing like a slob is proof of a great mind.
My thought on first reading: would this be the legal equivalent of the Grand Unification Theory?
My second thought: Is this quotation abuse?
When I saw the headline, I thought a Uniform Uniform Code might be the grand unification of the Uniform Electrical Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, the Uniform Building Code, etc.
That's the wrong Erik Jensen. Here is the Erik Jensen who wrote the article. As for Professor Bainbridge, he recently assured me that he only wears ties East of the Mississippi, and even then under some amount of duress.
JHA
Nevertheless, I liked them both a great deal, although I'd much rather dress like the former than the latter.
My bad. But what are the odds of two law professors named Eric Jensen?
"I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes" -- Thoreau
I think in Denmark Jensen is the most common last name and Eric is one of the most common first names.
Regarding dress codes, unshaved is one thing, but meeting people unwashed borders on mental illness. If you care that little for other people find a job where you can work at home alone. Your smell will be more memorable than anything you had to say no matter how brilliant becasue people won't be able to concentrate on it.
I also think we should bring back wigs for judges, and probably for President as well. The latter especially if Hillary gets elected. The Senators should probably wear baseball uniforms. And the Surgeon General full scrubs, a stethoscope, and a belt full of medical instruments
As for what the Solicitor General should wear--this forum is viewable by a family audience.
There, fixed. :-D
I think the quality of instruction would inevitably go up if the professors were required to instruct au naturel. Most (not all, as I remember a couple quite attractive professors at my law school) would have to improve their game to overcome the negative impression that their out-of-shape bodies would give.
That same year, I recall, Prof. Mehlman, then new to the faculty after having studied in Britain, came to our torts class dressed in some jacket he could only have bought in Oxbridge. It was cream and dark blue stripes, with each stripe being at least two inches wide. He came to class, and immediately everyone stopped chattering. Murmers grew to giggles, which grew to outright laughter. Finally, the class broke out into spontaneous applause and cheers. Max turned bright red, said nothing, and started the class.
We never saw him wear that jacket again.