Via Australia Lawyers Weekly
Once symbols of rebellion, tattoos have seamlessly integrated into mainstream society, serving as prevalent forms of personal expression, cultural representation, and creativity. However, given law’s traditional attitudes, can lawyers proudly display tattoos?
Australia’s workplace culture is constantly evolving, with one of the most notable transformations being the changing attitudes towards tattoos and their increasing acceptance within professional environments.
As a testament to this cultural shift, research by McCrindle has revealed a striking increase in the prevalence of tattoos among Australians. Their findings indicate that a record high of one in four Australians (25 per cent) has a tattoo, compared to 20 per cent in 2018 and 19 per cent in 2016.
However, considering the legal industry’s conservative and traditional image, a pressing question has emerged: can lawyers have tattoos without conflicting with the professional’s traditional expectations?
To delve deeper into this topic, Lawyers Weekly sought insights from two senior practitioners: Michael Byrnes, a workplace relations partner from Sydney-based SME law firm Swaab, and Michelle Dawson, the managing principal of Emplawyer and the winner of the employment category at Lawyers Weekly’s Partner of the Year Awards in 2023.
How do attitudes towards tattoos in the legal profession compare to other professions?
When asked whether the legal profession and other professions hold similar attitudes towards tattoos, both respondents explained how the conservative nature of the legal field allows for such a comparison.
Both respondents highlighted that the legal profession’s conservative nature permits a comparison with other occupations and industries in terms of attitudes toward tattoos.
Byrnes said: “Attitudes towards tattoos in the legal profession, broadly speaking, tend to the more conservative end of the spectrum compared to many other vocations and professions.”
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Byrnes also outlined how some clients may “appreciate” a lawyer who has tattoos, saying: “While some clients might be opposed to tattoos, there are many others (including in corporate work) who have tattoos of their own and appreciate ink on others, not just for the aesthetic but also for the progressive mindset it arguably reflects.”
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