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Post by funkyodar on Sept 28, 2016 16:26:35 GMT -5
"Hahaha! I want to meet that girl with no shoes. I was shocked when I was in private practice and walked into the local rural town courthouse, where attorneys wore cowboy boots with their suits (picture Vinny Gambino practicing law in rural south - I was Vinny) I thought how tacky. we never wore boots in the "big" city where my office was. Then I met even more attorneys in the other rural courthouse outside of town who wore pink seersucker suits with bowties in July in the south - made the boots look downright fashionable." Yep. Those are the kind of attorneys who can eat you alive when underestimated . . . . Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........I am wearing Dan Post cowboy boots, blue jeans and untucked (well, uh, now tucked) western shirt with sleeves rolled up in office today. And Depends. Don't forget the Depends. Please, for the love of Lysol, don't forget the Depends again.
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Post by trekker on Sept 28, 2016 16:47:29 GMT -5
Four bar exams: two were taken in sweat pants during brutal winters, one in shorts (DC in July -- don't need to say more), and yes the dreaded VA dress code for women: Skirt or Dress and nylons. For OPM, it was comfortable pants and sleeveless blouse with sweater in case it got cold. And yes shoes for this southern girl who grew up going barefoot. Plus, two stents in Hawaii resulted in no shoes indoors (except in my science lab). So maybe the "girl with no shoes" had a reason. I just get embarrassed when I step on the occasional staple or paper clip and scream in pain. (I did throw the panty hose in the garbage one August afternoon in USDC - Alexandria, VA. Threw caution to the wind. So shoes for court and exams.
Plus, I remember doctors making rounds in flip flops and shorts in Hawaii. Just like cowboy boots but for surfer dudes. Even in northern VA, court decorum was loosened during snow storms, blizzards, ice storms, etc. (But not for the hot muggy days of summer.)
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Post by mvnsouth on Sept 28, 2016 17:36:50 GMT -5
Not so much snark as trying to get their attention and let them know there is a lot of information on the board they should be reading. I have been a moderator here since the inception of the board. Never before have I felt it necessary to resort to comments such as I have been making in the past couple of months. It is most frustrating. Thank you for "getting it" phoenixrisingALJ. And thank you for laying it out for them. You are in the top three of your class! Pixie. Pixie this might help you and the moderation. I would suggest that newbies on their own read the forum, because I know it helped me at feel more comfortable during the process when I went through it in 2013. People often seek advice on what they should do to prepare for this application process. One thing that seemed to help me was that I hit that little number at the bottom of this forum and went to the last page (currently page 90) and began reading. I read from the earliest posts to the most recent. It took several days but it was an enjoyable journey. Reading what others asked, discussed, hypothesized, etc. Getting to "know" old legends who have come and gone, people who still pop up, and people still assisting along with those in similar situations. Many threads required nothing more than a quick skim, while others required an investment to get the nuggets of gold. Some threads seemed worthless at first glance -- like people getting offers from applications long past -- until I read them and found encouragement where I didn't expect it. There have been fascinating and helpful discussions, joyful celebrations, heartbreak, and humor. During this process of getting a job as an ALJ there will be a lot of hurry up and wait. We are about to get to the wait period (a lot of us are in it now). During the wait make sure you continue to improve yourself. You can start right here by reading what those who came before us discussed. Maybe you don't want to go all the way back to the beginning because you're worried about the time investment. My advice is to at least go back to the start of this 2013 application as it's most applicable. You'll find a wealth of information that can help. If nothing else, it'll make you more educated about the process and better at knowing what is an uncharted topic. Bravo...well said. Testing tomorrow and appreciated the read myself.
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Post by bubbleguppie on Sept 28, 2016 17:56:43 GMT -5
Four bar exams: two were taken in sweat pants during brutal winters, one in shorts (DC in July -- don't need to say more), and yes the dreaded VA dress code for women: Skirt or Dress and nylons. For OPM, it was comfortable pants and sleeveless blouse with sweater in case it got cold. And yes shoes for this southern girl who grew up going barefoot. Plus, two stents in Hawaii resulted in no shoes indoors (except in my science lab). So maybe the "girl with no shoes" had a reason. I just get embarrassed when I step on the occasional staple or paper clip and scream in pain. (I did throw the panty hose in the garbage one August afternoon in USDC - Alexandria, VA. Threw caution to the wind. So shoes for court and exams. Plus, I remember doctors making rounds in flip flops and shorts in Hawaii. Just like cowboy boots but for surfer dudes. Even in northern VA, court decorum was loosened during snow storms, blizzards, ice storms, etc. (But not for the hot muggy days of summer.) No shoes Magoo as we used to call her even went sans footware on streets that are world famous for being covered in spilled alcohol, urine and vomit. I think her reasoning was self expression and non-conformism. I guess it made her memorable.
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Post by ARobeByAnyOtherName on Sept 28, 2016 20:57:48 GMT -5
Oh no! I signed up at midnight as soon as they opened scheduling. I guess I will have to become a morning person in the next two days Complete random scheduling would also account for the non-alphabetical order also. I signed up within the first hour also, so we shall see. I got a report from a non-board member who had his WD/LBMT on 09/26 and his SI yesterday (9/27). He signed up right at midnight (he admitted that it could have been 12:02 am before he completed the process). His SI time was at 1:00 pm.
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Post by justlooking on Sept 29, 2016 5:21:52 GMT -5
Heading in! Will report later.
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Post by mvnsouth on Sept 29, 2016 6:05:04 GMT -5
Justlooking, please let us know if you get an early time for the SI. I too signed up at midnight. Will do. I am still holding out hope for a mid morning appointment. That way the interviewers and I can be warmed up! Me too!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2016 6:26:59 GMT -5
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........I am wearing Dan Post cowboy boots, blue jeans and untucked (well, uh, now tucked) western shirt with sleeves rolled up in office today. And Depends. Don't forget the Depends. Please, for the love of Lysol, don't forget the Depends again. Why else do we wear these black bathrobes???
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DC Testing
Sept 30, 2016 6:40:04 GMT -5
via mobile
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Post by pubdef on Sept 30, 2016 6:40:04 GMT -5
I got a report from a non-board member who had his WD/LBMT on 09/26 and his SI yesterday (9/27). He signed up right at midnight (he admitted that it could have been 12:02 am before he completed the process). His SI time was at 1:00 pm. [ I think we've heard sufficient examples of times for SI not correlating with interview time to throw out my WAG as wishful thinking. Thinking about it last night it makes sense. 1. We were allowed to self schedule anywhere from September through March. 2. They didn't invite enough people to completely fill up those available spots as documented on this board. 3. Until the date self-scheduling closed, OPM wouldn't know how many people need interviews. 4. Without knowing how many people need interviews, OPM wouldn't know how many ALJs to request to assist. 5. During full testing groups they handle groups of 8 interviewing at the same time. That's 8 rooms with at least two people in it (an ALJ and someone from OPM). 6. If there are less people testing they can reduce the number of people to interview, start later in the day, finish earlier, etc. 7. That call is probably made on a case by case basis. We know they invite judges to come at least one week Tuesday-Friday. It could be a lot of people test Monday but only 10 on Thursday. The judges would still be there. 8. OPM told us this: "NOTE: Once you have self-scheduled your Written Demonstration/Logic Based Measurement Test session, you will be automatically scheduled for a Structured Interview session on the following day. Your Structured Interview Admission Notice containing your specific interview session time will be given to you on the day of your Written Demonstration/Logic Based Measurement Test session." I mistakenly assumed that meant they scheduled the time when you signed up. I think it's simply saying they schedule you for the SI on the following day. They figure out the times based on how many are testing, how many judges are available, and I would guess they do that while we are taking the logic test. I know when my group finished the logic test they delayed us leaving because they were printing invites to the SI. All this is a long way of saying it's likely random when you'll interview, but I understand why OPM can't tell us the time until they know more information about how many are testing.
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Post by wuwei on Sept 30, 2016 7:16:36 GMT -5
I was clueless and wore suits for both days in DC. Oh well.
Here in CO I see plenty of attorneys wearing cowboy boots with suits. Many judges do the same. Also, I recall one attorney who always appeared in court wearing duck boots (that's what we called them where I'm from) and a parka, complete with fur-lined hood. No one in my courtroom ever had a problem with that, but it has always stuck in my memory as odd.
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Post by msp on Sept 30, 2016 9:55:18 GMT -5
About a month ago, I had to wear flip flops into the courthouse, due to a sprained ankle & inability to fit any other shoes over air cast. At least I'd had a pedi. Classy.
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Post by minny on Sept 30, 2016 10:13:46 GMT -5
By the time I left the private sector about 10 years ago, I was no longer afraid to wear pants in front of some male federal judges. But, I must admit I was lucky not to have ever been forced to wear snow boots or flip flops.
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Post by pubdef on Sept 30, 2016 12:03:27 GMT -5
I am able to wear cowboy boots in court, however, I could not get away with the look. I wear a suit and tie to work every day even though I sometimes see attorneys wearing nice jeans and a sports jacket. I worked with a public defender from Hawaii. She had great stories about how co workers would wear flip flops, board shorts, and a shirt to court. If they had trial it would be a button up shirt. Then when court was finished they'd swing by the beach to surf before returning to their office.
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Post by msp on Sept 30, 2016 12:06:02 GMT -5
I am able to wear cowboy boots in court, however, I could not get away with the look. I wear a suit and tie to work every day even though I sometimes see attorneys wearing nice jeans and a sports jacket. I worked with a public defender from Hawaii. She had great stories about how co workers would wear flip flops, board shorts, and a shirt to court. If they had trial it would be a button up shirt. Then when court was finished they'd swing by the beach to surf before returning to their office. I would very much like to have her old job in Hawai'i!
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Post by airdrop on Sept 30, 2016 15:01:06 GMT -5
I wear jeans and boots to court in western Kansas all the time. In eastern Kansas on occasion I have worn jeans and combat / hiking boots though most times dockers and a button down shirt. In the office I wear shorts and a t shirt.
Being mostly a work comp (admin law) attorney I cannot recall the last time I wore a suit in Kansas.
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Post by funkyodar on Sept 30, 2016 15:03:05 GMT -5
What a coincidence. I also cant remember the last time I wore a suit in Kansas.
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Post by weisstho on Sept 30, 2016 17:10:26 GMT -5
I know of 3 well-dressed lawyers in my midwest town who wear seersucker suits and bow ties. One went to prep school in the South. The other came from the East Coast. I know these guys! They carry Harper Lee and whistle Swanee. There aren't a lot of fans OF the South like fans IN the South.
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Post by gary on Sept 30, 2016 19:55:19 GMT -5
[quote timestamp="1475268215" source="/post/117142/thread" author=I know of 3 well-dressed lawyers in my midwest town who wear seersucker suits and bow ties. One went to prep school in the South. The other came from the East Coast. I know these guys! They carry Harper Lee and whistle Swanee. There aren't a lot of fans OF the South like fans IN the South.[/quote] Sounds like Tiger, Funky, and Hilltopper headed to the office back in the day.
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Post by Ready-Now! on Oct 1, 2016 11:45:38 GMT -5
sophie22 needs intel for September 28th WD LBMT testing for the DC Testing Stat thread. Surely some board member tested that day?
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Post by pubdef on Oct 3, 2016 6:40:11 GMT -5
TGIM! Good luck to everyone making the trip to D.C. this week. It looks like perfect weather. Try to get a count for us on how many fellow testers are there. Whatever other useful demographics you can gather are nice too. But # of testers will help us all later. Again, good luck.
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