- Circuit Judge Dennis Bailey, in Broward County, Florida, told lawyers that they should get dressed and get out of bed while appearing in court hearings on Zoom.
- “One male lawyer appeared shirtless and one female attorney appeared still in bed, still under the covers. And putting on a beach cover-up won’t cover up you’re poolside in a bathing suit,” he said.
- Bailey told the Miami Herald that he wears his robes during hearings and expects equal respect from lawyers.
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A Florida judge is begging lawyers to get out bed and put on clothes for court meetings on Zoom.
Broward County Circuit Judge Dennis Bailey issued a letter published to the Weston Bar Association’s website in which he asked lawyers to dress appropriately for hearings, even when they’re working remotely.
“It is remarkable how many ATTORNEYS appear inappropriately on camera,” he wrote in the letter.
Bailey said some lawyers have had “no concern for ill-grooming” in recent weeks as they work from home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"One male lawyer appeared shirtless and one female attorney appeared still in bed, still under the covers. And putting on a beach cover-up won't cover up you're poolside in a bathing suit," he said. "So, please, if you don't mind, let's treat court hearings as court hearings, whether Zooming or not."
According to the Miami Herald, family court meetings are taking place digitally at the moment, while criminal and civil courts are still working toward moving online.
Bailey told the Herald that he wears his robes during hearings.
"I would want [attorneys] dressed, showing some respect for their recognition that this is a court hearing," he said.
Bailey also said that wearing jeans and a T-shirt to a court hearing is "counterproductive" for a lawyer.
"You're going to earn the same amount of respect that you're shown" he said.