What To Wear To A Settlement Conference

Steven Schwartzapfel

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Your settlement conference is an important moment in your case. Decisions reached at a settlement conference can keep you from going to trial and may allow you to recover your financial settlement much sooner.

The experienced New York construction accident and workers’ compensation attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers are prepared to represent you at your settlement conference. Call us now at 516-342-2200 to discuss the process, including what to wear to a settlement conference in order to effectively present your case.

What Is A Settlement Conference?

A settlement conference sounds like a trial, but it’s a less formal procedure. Here, you and your skilled attorneys meet with the other party and their attorneys to discuss the details of your case with a judge.

The purpose of a settlement conference is to help both sides avoid going to trial. There usually won’t be a jury present at a settlement conference. Discussions are private, and the judge consults on the case without making any final decisions.

If a settlement conference doesn’t reach a conclusion, the case may go to trial. Trial is the most formal court process in a settlement case, and both sides usually want to avoid trial.

How Should I Dress For A Settlement Conference?

You may have the idea that you only need to dress up for court if you’ve been accused of a crime. The real reason that people dress nicely for legal conferences is because it’s technically required. The law is a formal process, and dressing appropriately shows that you respect that process.

There is an unofficial rule that people in court for white-collar matters should wear formal attire. A white-collar matter would be business people settling a corporate dispute between their companies or a lawsuit between a corporation and a bank.

People in court for blue-collar matters, such as personal injury lawsuits or family court matters, usually wear business casual clothing.

The easiest way to decide what you would wear is to dress like you’re going to a job interview: How would you dress for an interview for a job in your field? If you’re applying for a job as an accountant, you’d probably dress more formally than if you were applying for a job as a store manager.

If you’re unsure of what to wear, call the award-winning New York construction accident attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 516-342-2200 to discuss presentability in the courtroom. We’ll be able to help you through every step of the legal process, from filing your claim to receiving your settlement and so much more.

What Kind Of Formal Attire Should I Wear To A Settlement Conference?

If your settlement conference calls for formal attire, you should wear a full suit with a jacket and tie. Match your belt to your shoes, and choose a tie with a minimalist pattern rather than a loud or busy tie. Women can wear pantsuits, skirts, and dresses that are longer than knee length.

Most settlement conferences won’t require formal attire. Your seasoned attorney will let you know if you should wear formal attire to your settlement conference, but it usually isn’t necessary. Business casual clothing is typically appropriate for a settlement conference, video meeting, or arbitration meeting where you shouldn’t be in open court.

What Kind Of Business Casual Attire Should I Wear To A Settlement Conference?

Business casual attire consists of button-down shirts or blouses, trousers, and skirts that are knee-length or longer. Dark wash or black jeans may be acceptable as long as they aren’t faded or ripped. Dark-colored polo shirts without excessive logos can also be considered business casual attire.

Other common business casual guidelines include wearing:

Khaki or dark pants, including dark jeans with no rips, fading, or embellishment
Button-down shirts, polo shirts, or conservative blouses
Closed-toed shoes (but no sneakers or athletic shoes)
Skirts and dresses past knee-length
Knit sweaters in cold weather, as long as they’re free from distracting patterns or logos
Minimal jewelry and accessories

If you work in construction, there’s a strong chance you won’t have many business casual clothes. You need to work in clothing that you can get dirty. You may find it helpful to wear your “church clothes” or your family picture clothes if you have a few outfits set aside for similar occasions.

If you are unable to attend your settlement conference in person due to injury or distance, you may participate via video link or deliver a video statement. In this situation, you would only need to wear business casual attire for the portion of your body that’s on camera, which is typically your torso and above.

What Should I Avoid Wearing At A Settlement Conference?

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t wear street clothes to a settlement conference. Court and out-of-court conferences are regarded as formal occasions, and dressing inappropriately can be viewed as a sign of disrespect.

Avoid wearing:

T-shirts with slogans or logos
Open-toed shoes or sandals
Sweatpants
Athletic clothes, like gym shorts or leggings
Hoodies or hooded shirts
Tank tops or sleeveless shirts
Crop tops or low-cut tops
Dirty, stained, or ripped clothes
Shorts
Your work clothes or uniform

If you’re dressed inappropriately in a courtroom, a judge may reserve the right to hold you in contempt of court. This punishment is usually only reserved for cases where someone wears something inflammatory or offensive, like a t-shirt with a profane slogan. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and to put your best foot forward.

To learn more now, call Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 516-342-2200 or schedule your free consultation with us online today. Alternatively, please continue reading.

What Should I Do If I Can’t Dress Up?

If you’re still recovering from an injury, you may be wearing casts, braces, or special medical garments that affect the clothes you can wear.

If you need to wear medical garments or loose-fitting clothes to accommodate casts or braces, the judge should understand. Just avoid clothing with patterns, logos, or slogans. A black or gray cotton t-shirt and black or gray loose-fitting sweatpants are perfectly acceptable as long as they’re clean and free from stains or holes.

You may need special accommodations at your settlement conference due to your injury. To this end, please call the experienced New York construction accident attorneys of Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 516-342-2200 to discuss your specific needs and how to best accommodate them during your settlement conference.

Get The Representation You Need

If you’re seeking a financial settlement following a workplace accident or personal injury claim, the seasoned New York City personal injury attorneys of Schwartzapfel Lawyers are here to fight for you.

Call us now at 516-342-2200 to discuss filing a claim or getting your full financial settlement. We have over (150) years of combined experience recovering all the money and benefits our clients deserve. What’s more is that our clients are people just like you.

So, please, don’t wait until it’s too late. Act today to protect your tomorrows by calling now!

DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 516-342-2200 now!

Sources:

Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You

1 SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE PROCEDURES | United States District Court | Southern District of New York