Should we change our name when we marry?
By Ashley Rutherford • June 03, 2011 •Women and Law in the Media
I have not posted for several months. My life has been turned upside-down, and I have never been happier. For one, I got engaged to my soulmate in December, and we are planning an October wedding. Secondly, with his support and encouragement and after deep thought, I decided to pursue my real dream. . . to go out on my own. I joined a friend from law school that is running a small, successful law firm. His partner was taking the California bar exam, and he wanted me to join in as a named partner. Our law firm name -…
Savvy Shopper-at-law: Trendy Shoes for Work and Weekend
By Ashley Rutherford • September 27, 2010 •Writers in Residence
Pumps. T-straps. Boots. Wedges. Booties. Slippers. Shoes make women weak. Manolo Blahniks made Carrie Bradshaw exclaim “Hello Lover!” To get her hands on the ruby slippers, the Wicked Witch of the West chased Dorothy through OZ. And, the Handsome Prince was smart enough to return Cinderella’s glass slipper after she lost it at the ball. Every woman loves shoes!And every woman should own shoes that make her feel fabulous (and her feet feel fabulous too!) Whether you’re trendy, classic, or a sexy siren, the following shoes are budget-friendly and fashion forward.Booties – They’re trendy and quirky. Maybe you love them. Maybe…
Savvy Shopper-At-Law: Fall Transition Pieces for the Frugal Attorney
By Ashley Rutherford • August 27, 2010 •Writers in Residence
I love autumn. It is by far my favorite season. I love vibrant colors, football jerseys, and Halloween costumes. And that just covers my love for fall fashion! However, in the mid-west, fall can be a short transition between hot summer days and the crisp winter weather. Other times, it can be a three month stretch of lovely, breezy football weather. Both of these weather patterns can be difficult to dress for. The following transition pieces can be found for an investment or a bargain (examples included!) and can help you transition your professional wardrobe to meet autumn’s weather demands.(1)…
Savvy Shopper-At-Law: Sophisticated Casual Friday Ensembles on a Budget
By Ashley Rutherford • July 24, 2010 •Writers in Residence
I have to confess. I despise casual/jeans Fridays. Casual Fridays are a recipe for disaster for law students, lawyers, and administrative staff alike. And, Jeans Fridays are even worse. This column is dedicated to mastering casual and/or jeans Friday on a budget.In a recent poll, the blog Corporette asked “Can you Give Unsolicited Advice to Interns?” The central theme throughout most of the responses was “casual” in a business environment is different than “casual” in a social environment. Bottom line: it is important to know your audience. As to whether a more senior employee will tell you whether you are…
Savvy Shopper-At-Law: A Fabulous Summer Makeover on a Budget
By Ashley Rutherford • June 25, 2010 •Writers in Residence
Oh! The joys of summer! There’s nothing like a simple, beautiful summer face to perk up your work persona. This column is dedicated to brightening your work week with a subtle makeover for the hot summer months while maintaining your thrifty spending habits.A Fresh Perspective: I’ve heard many women say “I look better without makeup,” or “I don’t know how to apply it,” or “I don’t think that a lot of makeup looks very professional at work.” You’re wrong. Make-up is necessary. Everyone looks better with a bit of concealer and a little mascara. And you don’t need to be…
Savvy Shopper-At-Law: Black Tie on a Budget
By Ashley Rutherford • May 30, 2010 •Writers in Residence
As a lawyer or law student trying to impress, it is important to present the proper appearance at law firm events. Whether you are the summer associate or the date/spouse/fiancé of a summer associate, what you wear is important. This column is dedicated to finding budget-friendly, appropriate clothing for summer associate events and law firm formal parties.Look at the Invitation: Where is the event? Does the invitation state the dress code? According to Emily Post’s Etiquette the definitions for dress code attire are as follows:White Tie: White tie is the most formal dress code, for women, it is a formal,…
Savvy Shopper-At-Law: Internet Shopping 101
By Ashley Rutherford • April 26, 2010 •Writers in Residence
Successful bargain shopping starts with the internet. The internet is convenient. You can almost always find your size, and your order can be quickly shipped to your home or office. And, for those hard-working big law attorneys, online stores allow you to shop in your pajamas at midnight with a much-needed glass of wine. And often, with a bit of patience and a couple of smart searches, you can save more than twenty percent off most retail store prices. This article is dedicated to the three most important rules for shopping on the world wide web.1. Never Pay Shipping: I…
Savvy Shopper-At-Law: Investment Pieces Worth Their Price
By Ashley Rutherford • March 24, 2010 •Other Career Issues
A fabulous professional wardrobe need not and should not cost as much as a small car. Style is as much about intelligent choices and a fabulous attitude as it is about the money spent on the wardrobe. With that being said, some wardrobe items are an investment and worth the extra money. This column is dedicated to teaching you how to find investment pieces at a reasonable cost.Accessories: First and foremost, whether you are a fashionista, frugalista, or pride yourself on your simple elegance, all female attorneys should purchase a simple pearl necklace. Simply put, cheap pearls will not do;…