BASIC ETIQUETTE

TIPS FOR LAWYERS

“Good manners will open doors that the best education
cannot.”
- Clarence Thomas
 BUSINESS CARDS

Exchanging business cards is a common occurrence for many legal professionals. There are ways of giving and receiving cards
that work better for establishing a relationship and conveying respect.
WHILE GIVING OUT A CARD :
• Give business cards using discretion. Handing out multiple cards at a time to one person may convey the message that your
cards have little value.
• Hand the card over with the print facing the receiver so they don’t have to turn it around to read it.
WHILE REVEIVING A CARD :
• When receiving a card, thank the person handing you the card.
• Hold the card in both hands. Look at the card and read it immediately when you receive it. This shows you are interested in the
person and their information. If you glance at the card and then drop it in your pocket, it may convey a lack of interest and
appear rude.
BE ON TIME.

• When you arrive late to a meeting or appointment, you are wasting the time of the people
with whom you are meeting. This can lead to resentment from fellow co-workers and
clients.
• Showing up to an appointment on time shows that you respect and value the other person.
It demonstrates that you are dedicated to your job and interested in your work. Being on
time shows you are committed to keeping your word. Clients and co-workers learn to
trust you and know they can depend on you
USE SIMPLE MANNERS

• Those good old-fashioned manners aren’t old-fashioned after all. Saying “please” and
“thank you”, asking for permission, offering unsolicited help, all of these examples of
good manners will still take you a long way in the workplace.
• Simple courtesy can sometimes be forgotten in today’s legal industry. Because of this,
people will really notice if you consistently remember your manners. You can show your
manners verbally, as well as in an email. For instance, if you ask a co-worker for help on
a project, a thank-you email shows them you appreciate their contribution. It also is a sign
of respect.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY

• Dressing inappropriately can be a distraction. It can also call into question your judgment
and ability to make good decisions. No matter what legal position you hold, you are a
representative of your company or firm and you should dress accordingly.
• However, what is considered appropriate will vary from firm to firm. Some firms may
expect you to dress formally, wearing suits most of the time. Other firms may allow
employees to dress more casually on days when clients are not in the office. Find out
what is acceptable in your firm and adhere to the norm.
AVOID CELL PHONE DISTRACTIONS

• Cell phones and devices are very much ingrained in the way we do business today. However, there are
still times when they can be obstructive rather than productive. One of those times is in a meeting.
• When in a meeting, you should turn your cell phone completely off. It’s not enough to turn it to
vibrate mode. When your phone vibrates, it will often still be heard by others. Reaching for your
phone to silence the ring or vibration is still a distraction, draws unwanted attention to yourself, and
disrupts the flow of the meeting.
• If your telephone rings while you are speaking with others, resist the temptation to look to see who it
is. Silence it immediately. This signals to the other person that they have your undivided attention and
that your conversation with them is important to you.
GOOD ETIQUETTE IS GOOD BUSINESS

Having good manners can give you an advantage in your career as a legal professional.
Practicing these simple rules will convey to people that you are trustworthy, have good
judgment and are an emotionally-intelligent person. All of these traits will allow you to gain
respect and build better work relationships.