I’m a junior male associate who currently works at a V5 law firm in NYC. I’m thinking about starting my loc journey but I’m unsure about what impact, if any, my appearance could have on my career. Obviously, I know that it is unlikely that somebody at my firm would overtly discriminate against me based on my appearance, but I am worried about implicit biases affecting future staffing. What should I do?

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Ridiculous that we have to ask/worry about this.

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It’s all about presentation. If you make it look good and are otherwise clean from head to toe, no one SHOULD care. Will you get disinvited to the golf outing you never wanted to go to? Maybe. Will it catch the eye of a client who may want to talk to you about it? Highly likely. Will it make some old ass partner who will be retired by the time you are up for partner uncomfortable and think you may look “ghetto”? Possibly. Who cares though, do you. Keep a tight shape up/line up, dress nice, and do good work.

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I would wait until after you’ve made partner. If you loc your hair and don’t make partner you will always wonder what if…I hate that I’m even saying this but we all know how it is.

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I’m a junior big law associate who is wearing locs and have not had any unpleasant incidents. Of course I’ll never know if there were some opportunities that I could have had if didn’t wear mine, but to be honest, I don’t care either. It’s 2022, if a natural hair style ruffles some feathers, it’s not me who is the problem but rather whoever is bothered by it.

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Try on a wig with locs or look up images and YouTube’s videos on loc journeys. This is what I did for big chop. It helps you see yourself in making the decision and provides support and care through the process.

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I hate that we have to think so much about our hair when it comes to our career in 2023, but I get it. With that said, I say loc your hair as long as you look presentable you should be fine

Unfortunately, this is a tough one. I wish I could tell you to go for it and it will be fine. However, I can’t because bias and discrimination exists! I suggest that you speak with someone at your firm whom you trust and who has their finger on the pulse. If the thought is this may be problematic, you’ll need to decide whether you wish to stay and how that looks— loc journey now or later. Good Luck!

Look I think it's awesome, but at the same time...this is a tough one bc I don't actually know how it will pan out and the odds seem kind of stacked against you. I think it's a discussion to have with colleagues who you trust, and see what the feedback is like. Personally, I'd say go for it- we need to get comfortable with different hairstyles and appearances!

I have a friend that works at a huge firm and has locs. I believe that if you dress professionally, hair style is less important than an overall distinctive look. If that is a deal breaker for a company, they are not an environment you want to be in. It's one thing to demand professionalism; it's entirely different to dismiss historically Black or natural hairstyles as unprofessional.

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