“The suit and tie are just not worn behind the scenes anymore”
McCabe Curwood has officially told its lawyers and staff to “dress for your day.”
The new firm-wide policy is part of the organisation’s “Future Workplace” initiative, which encourages mobility, agility, and a creative workplace. The new dress code encourages a smart casual approach to dress when there are no external client or court commitments, the firm said.
Last month the firm revealed a revamp to its office model in Sydney. McCabe Curwood’s merger went live at the start of July.
“When I look around, the suit and tie are just not worn behind the scenes anymore, so this policy will articulate to our staff that they have a choice in how they present themselves. As legal professionals, we do tend to work long hours and it is important to be comfortable,” said managing principal Andrew Lacey.
“How we dress is also a reflection of who we are, so it’s nice to have that opportunity to let your personality shine through,” he said.
“Future Workplace” is built on trust and respect for employees, Lacey said. It also encourages creativity and gives them an opportunity to take control of their careers. These will ultimately build a stronger and more committed workforce, he said.
“The moves we are making towards creating a large law firm without losing our boutique personality is bold but necessary to face the challenges presented in the current legal landscape,” Lacey said. “We are investing in technology and skills development that will see our principals and managers able to coordinate and run highly functioning teams that are more flexible in the way they approach work.”
Marc Walker, McCabe Curwood COO, said the move is not only a great for self-expression, but also for a practical approach to work.
“We live in a world now where work life and personal life don’t have the same boundaries as they used too, and in many ways that’s a good thing,” he said. “I think policies like this facilitate the move towards creating a more flexible and agile working environment. They are reflective of how we can make small changes to address some of the larger issues facing the legal professional on both a personal and business level.”
