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Walk into any courtroom in Australia today and take a look around. You’ll still see the traditional robes and wigs in some matters, of course – but step outside those formalities, and things are shifting, writes Clarissa Rayward.
Gone are the days when being a lawyer meant donning a stiff black or grey power suit. For decades, our professional identity was tied to how we presented ourselves physically. “Dress for the job you want,” they said. But what if the job you want has evolved – and the profession itself is evolving, too?
These days, many in law are rewriting the dress code. Court-appropriate still matters, of course, but the uniform has relaxed. We’re seeing more colour, more comfort, and – dare I say it – more personality. A blazer thrown over a floaty dress. A smart jumpsuit with statement earrings. A lawyer in sneakers and perhaps some colourful socks. For women in particular, the notion of “looking the part” no longer means disappearing into a mould, but rather showing up with a sense of self.
And this visual shift reflects something deeper. It’s not just about clothes. It’s about culture.
Alongside the changes in how lawyers dress are the changes in how we’re perceived – and how we perceive ourselves. For as long as I can remember, the legal profession has carried with it a strong stereotype. You know the one: aggressive, arrogant, unfeeling. The steely-eyed, sharp-tongued litigator who wins at all costs and leaves emotion at the door. It’s a character that still pops up in TV dramas and legal thrillers. But in real life? It’s rarely who we are.
Most of the lawyers I know are considered, empathetic, and deeply invested in helping others solve problems. Yes, we’re trained to be logical and analytical. But we also hold space for complex emotions, particularly those of our clients. We’ve had to learn how to be calm in chaos and steady in conflict. We’re not cold. We’re composed.
This mismatch – between how lawyers look and act versus how we’re still often stereotyped – raises an important question: what does it actually mean to be a lawyer in 2025?
We’re seeing growing diversity in the profession across gender, race, and background. More lawyers with tattoos. More lawyers from rural towns. More lawyers parenting young children while managing court files. More lawyers openly talking about mental health, vulnerability, and wellbeing. And all of this is part of the evolution. It reflects a shift away from hierarchy and rigidity towards something more human.
This matters not just for us within the profession but also for those we serve. Clients don’t need lawyers who look like TV caricatures. They need real people – smart, skilled professionals who can guide them through the most complex and emotional moments of their lives. And often, that starts with being relatable, not intimidating.
For younger lawyers, this shift can be both freeing and confusing. On the one hand, there’s more permission than ever to show up as yourself. On the other hand, the old expectations still linger. We’ve come a long way, but we’re still navigating the space between tradition and transformation.
So, where to from here?
Perhaps it’s time to consciously redefine what success in law looks like. It might not be measured in billable hours or seniority alone, but in impact, authenticity, and the way we lift others as we climb. Maybe being a great lawyer means knowing your stuff, advocating fiercely, and also being a decent, compassionate human being.
Maybe it means wearing pink to court – not because you’re making a statement, but because it’s what you feel best in. Maybe it means leading a team with empathy. Maybe it means choosing collaboration over combat.
We have the opportunity – and I’d argue, the responsibility – to break the mould. To question the assumptions. To show the next generation that law doesn’t have to look or feel just one way.
Because when we allow ourselves to show up as we truly are, we create space for others to do the same. And in a profession that depends on trust, integrity, and connection, that might be the most powerful shift of all.
So I’ll ask again: What does a lawyer look like in 2025?
Look in the mirror. It might just be you.
Clarissa Rayward is the director of Brisbane Family Law Centre.
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