Lawyers With Style
Rebecca Edwards, age 36, is an attorney at Mandell Menkes, where she advises clients on forming and structuring businesses, commercial contracts and intellectual property matters. She is also involved in dispute resolution and commercial litigation.
She represents fashion designers, media companies, public relations and advertising agencies, authors, publishers, information technology businesses and other clients with intellectual property and media interests. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Wade Thomson, a partner at Jenner & Block.
1. What's your favorite store to shop for work clothes?
Department store: Neiman Marcus; Boutique: Mint Julep.
2. If you are meeting with a new client or have your first day in court, what's your favorite "power outfit?"
I always wear high heels (wedges are great for running back and forth to court) and usually wear something traditional, like a black suit, but add a little personality with a multistrand jade necklace or leopard-print shoes.
3. What brand is your watch?
I look to my iPhone for time, but my favorite watch is the Cartier Tank.
Rebecca Edwards
Photos by Marina Makropoulos.
4. In one or two words, how would you describe your style?
Classic.
5. What do you wear on weekends?
The weekends are my opportunity to wear clothes that are too dramatic for the office or courtroom — that's when I wear my faux fur coats, Missoni kaftan, chiffon blouse, tuxedo dress and gold pants (but not all at the same time).
6. What's your favorite brand of jeans?
AG.
7. Whose style do you admire?
Hitchcock heroines — even when Tippi Hedren was being attacked by birds, she looked sophisticated in her green suit and coral lipstick.
8. What was the first expensive piece of clothing you purchased when you became a lawyer?
A pale yellow seersucker suit — a necessity in New Orleans where I started my practice.
9. What is your No. 1 style pet peeve?
When workday casual is abused.
10. Who is your favorite designer?
Stella McCartney, because she does not use fur or leather in her designs.
11. What advice do you have for a lawyer trying to improve his or her professional style?
Look at yourself in a full length mirror — 360 degrees — before you leave the house. If you don't have a full length mirror, have someone take your photo — front and back. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that people don't just see a "headshot" of us every day.
12. Why should lawyers care about their style?
Style to me is equivalent to good manners — it never goes out of fashion and it always endures.
It's a nonverbal way for lawyers to communicate respect to people around them. By dressing with style, you can show others that you put effort into creating a pleasing appearance for them.