Being a lawyer comes with a lot of responsibilities but also prestige and, more often than not, decent pay.
With an ever-increasing % of the adult population in the US and worldwide having tattoos, the question whether lawyers and attorneys can have them is more relevant than ever.
Tattoos in professional environments were once seen as taboo and could result in dismissal from work or not being hired in the first place. However, times have changed and now more and more employers are accepting of tattoos, including those in the legal profession.
So, are lawyers allowed to have tattoos nowadays?
It depends – there’s no universal lawyer tattoo policy and the answer to this question will depend on a number of factors.
Let’s dive in.
Can Lawyers Have Tattoos?
Most importantly, there’s no law prohibiting lawyers from having tattoos. In fact, there are no laws regulating tattoos in the professional sphere at all. This means that it’s ultimately up to each individual law firm to decide whether they’re okay with their employees having visible tattoos or not.
Some law firms may have a strict dress code that doesn’t allow for any visible tattoos, while others may be more relaxed about it.
It’s also worth noting that many law firms are now located in metropolitan areas where tattoos are much more common and accepted than they were in the past. This means that attitudes towards tattoos within the legal profession are changing, albeit slowly.
- Related: Can Accountants Have Tattoos?
That said, it’s still relatively uncommon to see lawyers with visible tattoos, especially in more traditional law firms. This is likely due to the fact that many lawyers are older and come from a generation where tattoos were seen as taboo.
However, as more and more young people enter the legal profession, it’s likely that we’ll start to see a lot more lawyers with visible tattoos.
Should You Have Tattoos as a Lawyer?
The answer to this question is going to be different for everyone.
If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, you should first consider whether or not your job will allow it. If you work in a more traditional law firm, it’s probably best to avoid visible tattoos.
However, if you work in a more relaxed environment or your employer has no specific policy on tattoos, then it’s really up to you.
Some people argue that having visible tattoos can make you seem unprofessional and could damage your chances of getting promoted or landing new clients.
Others believe that tattoos can actually make you seem more approachable and down-to-earth, which can be helpful when working with clients.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to get a tattoo is a personal one and you should do what you feel is best for your career.
When making that decision, it’s also worth taking into consideration the type of clients you’re mostly dealing with.
What Types of Tattoos Are Okay for a Lawyer?
If you do decide to get a tattoo, be sure to choose a design that is appropriate for a professional setting. This means avoiding anything offensive, crude, or controversial.
Tattoos depicting violence, drugs, or other illegal activity are obviously a bad idea, as are those with swear words or offensive language. To err on the side of caution, you should probably also avoid political tattoos or anything that could be seen as taking sides in a divisive issue.
In general, it’s best to stick with more neutral designs that are not likely to offend anyone.
It’s also important to consider the placement of your tattoo. Can a lawyer have visible tattoos?
Considering the nature of the profession, it’s probably best to get the ink work done in places easily coverable – just in case. Tattoos on the face, neck, or hands are generally considered to be more unprofessional than those on other parts of the body.
If you do have a large tattoo you’re unsure about, be sure to dress in such a way that it can’t be seen. This means avoiding short sleeves or open-necked shirts.
In general, it’s best to err on the side of caution when choosing a tattoo design and placement.
Remember, once you get a tattoo, it’s there for life, so it’s important to make sure you’re happy with your decision before going ahead with it.
Can Lawyers Have Tattoos on Their Hands?
The popularity of hand tattoos has increased in recent years, but unfortunately, they’re still seen as fairly unprofessional in most workplaces.
This is especially true for lawyers, who need to maintain a certain level of professionalism at all times.
Hand tattoos can be particularly controversial, as they can be seen as a form of self-expression that doesn’t necessarily fit with the serious and buttoned-up image of the legal profession.
Additionally, hand tattoos can be seen as a sign of rebellion or nonconformity, which is something that most lawyers try to avoid.
If you’re considering getting a hand tattoo, it’s important to think carefully about whether or not it’s something you’re comfortable showing to clients and potential employers.
Remember, even if your employer doesn’t have a problem with visible tattoos, that doesn’t mean your clients will feel the same way.
Do Lawyers Have Tattoos in the US?
It’s estimated that more than half of the adult US population has at least one tattoo, so it’s not surprising that there are plenty of lawyers with ink work.
However, as mentioned above, most attorneys choose to keep their tattoos hidden for fear of appearing unprofessional.
US law firms can be still fairly traditional when it comes to dress code and appearance, so it’s not unusual for them to have strict policies about visible tattoos.
If you’re a lawyer in the US with visible tattoos in “risky” areas such as hands, face or neck, you are likely to find it difficult to get hired by a prestigious law firm.
However, there are plenty of smaller firms and legal organizations that are more open-minded when it comes to appearance, so don’t give up on your dream of being a lawyer just because you have some ink work.
The best way to find out is to speak to a few different firms and ask about their policies on visible tattoos.
Can You Have Tattoos as a Lawyer? Final Word
Overall, there’s no clear answer as to whether or not lawyers can have tattoos.
While there’s no explicit rule against it, most attorneys choose to keep their ink work hidden for fear of appearing unprofessional.
If you’re considering getting a tattoo, it’s important to think carefully about the design, placement, and whether or not you’re comfortable with showing it to clients and potential employers.
Remember, once you get a tattoo, it’s there for life (unless you’re fine with a costly and painful removal process), so it’s important to make sure you’re happy with your decision before going ahead with it.
