JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RICHARD E GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG. THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO JUSTICE BUILDING RUMOR, HUMOR, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND BETWEEN THE JUDGES, LAWYERS AND THE DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF, CLERKS, COURT REPORTERS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORLD OF MIAMI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE. POST YOUR COMMENTS, OR SEND RUMPOLE A PRIVATE EMAIL AT HOWARDROARK21@GMAIL.COM. Winner of the prestigious Cushing Left Anterior Descending Artery Award.

Friday, April 26, 2019

FASHION ACCESSORIES IN THE JUSTICE BUILDING

OWNER'S NOTE:  Even after all these years, many of you do not know how a blog works. We have multiple individuals who can write a post. You can see the author of the post at the bottom by the comments button. Mr. Scott Saul wrote this post. The opinions expressed are his own and are not endorsed in any way by the proprietor of this blog. 
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So, you’ve put away a couple of shekels and now you want to make a fashion statement in the courthouse.  For men, the accessory is usually the exalted "luxury watch". For women,  it looks like it’s either handbags or jewelry (DISCLAIMER, I'm inept at speaking on behalf of the ladies. I’ll try to get a consultant before I finish this post.). What’s the best way for a lawyer to announce their presence in the building? To get some recognition? To make a fashion pop?

I like watches and I’m a confessed “watch snob”. Dress watches should have a pizzazz factor yet, also maintain an aura of elegance. Obviously Patek Phillipe represents the crème de la creme. The iconic Rolex I love but keep away from those 80’s-90’s nouveau riche models. The sport models are best, leave the Presidentials and Datejusts to the pinkie ring wearers jamming to Huey Lewis & the News. Panerai’s are okay. I don’t get Breitlings since, for the same money, I’d get a Rolex.  Audemars Piguet are great (if it’s the Royal Oak Offshore) but I don’t understand the whole Hublot thing.  Ulysses Nardin looks good on paper, but not such a big deal on the wrist. Vacheron Constantines are exquisite. IWC’s Big Pilot is as classy as it is macho. Steel Omega Seamasters and Speedmasterare fantastic   All gold compliments a dark suit quite well. All stainless steel is versatile and utilitarian. Two-tones...what, you couldn’t afford the all gold?


I’m a watch geek, if you wear something interesting,  I see you. Yea, I’ve noticed that ASA rocking the all gold Sub.  Bentley in the back of lot 26, you’ve got good taste.  Mr. New Yawk, I recognize your horological rotations.  Miami Beach skinny guy, I’m definitely in awe of your Nautilus. Cigar-smoking,  dark-colored Mercedes, Hublot dude, you're being monitored.  Diesel BMW, I'm onto your over-sized Date Just. Bow-tie guy, your Apple watch is duly noted. Well-to-do lawyer that's now a  judge, I see your gold presidential (you must have Huey Lewis on your playlist).   

Back to the women, my wife is currently giving me the silent treatment, so I've lost my consultant. I have noticed that classy women like those steel Michelle watches with the diamonds.  Also, there seems to be a movement to wear reversed men's Rolex's (is that a penis envy thing?)   For the superior gender, it is obvious that purses are quite the big deal (some of you carry multiple ones) but, I don’t profess to having my finger on the pulse and need assistance for any semblance of a fashion assessment.

Look,  I'm just giving a snide opinion, I'm hardly a fashion anything but, I'm willing to learn. So, here’s the inquiry that I’m looking for feedback on. What accessories make the best fashion statements for... of course... the legal-eagle crowd? 

You have an extra $1000, what would you get? 
How about for $10,000?  $50,000? 
What impresses you the most? 
What compliments your outfit the most? 
What is in? 
What is out?  
What is timeless?
What fashion accessory, on the opposite sex, turns you on?
What fashion accessory on a lawyer takes them up a notch?   
If you were awarded the coveted title of Mr. or Ms. RGJ building, what would you accessorize with your crown, tiara or sash? 
What am I completely off-base about?    


15 comments:

PD at heart said...

Here is wear (pun) you are off base. I consistently earn high six figures annually. This year it will be seven. I don’t wear a watch. I don’t need to make a fashion statement. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Yes I wear Hugo Boss. Suits. Yes I wear Zegna jeans, shirts, etc. But I wear those brands because they fit me well. I’m just not into making fashion statements. Never was.

And working in a building where most of the lawyers are barely earning minimum wage, with starting salaries of $40-42k for ASAs and APDs, and indigent defendants scattered throughout the building, who am I going to impress? And why do I want to brag (impress) to all those barely getting by. If I wanted to do that I’d be at 73 West Flagler. Enjoy your Patek Phillipes and your Rolex’s (and your guitar collection). Just not my thing.

Anonymous said...

Stupidest post on this blog ever. Why would anyone attach his name to such garbage?

Anonymous said...

Expensive watches lost their flare in 2008 (or before). People who wear them look like relics of the 90s, or just tools.

When I get an extra few bucks, I spend half on experience (my next will be visiting Tokyo), a quarter to pay down the mortgage, and a quarter to passive income streams/investment.

Wear Men's Warehouse suits, check the time on you phone, pay the mortgage off before 50, and let the Rolex wearing suckers keep working to pay the bills until they're carried out of their offices in wooden boxes.

#MillenialsDoItBetter

REAL FORMER JUDGE said...

You know what I have come to know - with some wisdom and experience - low key is a better approach. I have the yellow gold Rolex GMT-II Master and when I wear it, I feel like it is showing off and somewhat obnoxious. Like - look at me! Look at me! I’m obviously very rich and successful. I have other Rolex watches, but choose only to wear my Stainless Steel Rolex Daytona with a white dial (face). Low key, yet classy. It’s about 25 years old. I think I will sell my other fancy gold watches. Used to be a show off - but I finally have self esteem, self confidence and I don’t need to impress anyone.

ICE said...

from the Wash Post:

A Massachusetts state court judge and a former court officer were charged by federal prosecutors Thursday with obstructing justice for allegedly preventing an immigration and customs officer from arresting an undocumented immigrant at a courthouse west of Boston last year.

Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph, 51, and Wesley MacGregor, 56, a former trial court officer at the Newton, Mass., court where the judge sits, helped the man — wanted on fugitive charges in Pennsylvania and for narcotics possession — avoid being picked up by an officer of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to an indictment filed by the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts.

“The allegations in today’s indictment involve obstruction by a sitting judge, that is intentional interference with the enforcement of federal law, and that is a crime,” said Andrew Lelling, the U.S. attorney.

The ICE officer was in the courthouse on April 2, 2018, when the detainee was being arraigned on criminal charges. However, the officer was kept out of the courtroom by the judge, according to evidence included in the indictment.

After a courtroom sidebar conference, during which the courtroom recorder was turned off for less than a minute, MacGregor, acting as bailiff, escorted the detainee to a downstairs lockup.

From there, MacGregor allegedly used his security access card to open a rear exit from the courthouse and release the man, identified in the indictment only as “the alien subject.”

At one point during the on-the-record court proceedings more than a year ago, a court clerk said that a representative of ICE was “here in the court .?.?. [unintelligible] to, to visit the lockup,” according to a transcript included in the indictment.

“That’s fine,” Joseph responded, according to the transcript. “I’m not gonna allow them to come in here.” She added, “But he’s been released on this,” in apparent reference to an assistant district attorney dismissing the fugitive charge against the man moments earlier.

The excerpts of the court transcript in the indictment suggest that the drug charges would be the subject of a later pretrial conference. The judge approved that course of action.

At another point in the April 2018 proceedings, the suspect’s attorney said his client was not the person ICE was seeking. “ICE is going to pick him up if he walks out the front door,” the defense attorney said.

Joseph and MacGregor were scheduled to be arraigned in federal court Thursday. Joseph was suspended from her judgeship without pay on Thursday.

Joseph and MacGregor are both charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice; obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting; and obstruction of a federal proceeding, aiding and abetting. In addition, MacGregor is charged with perjury for allegedly making false statements to a grand jury

Rumpole said...

I feel like I've lost control of the blog

Anonymous said...

Why such the vitriol? For many of us, watches transcend such labels as “expensive” or “fashionable”. I enjoy collecting and have attended numerous lectures and events in South Florida sponsored by the (nonprofit) Horological Foundation. More importantly, watches to me represent a family heirloom to which are emblematic of my style and taste. In our family, watches have come to represent seminal moments in my son’s lives regardless of the monetary value of the timepiece. As for Mr Millenial (10:38), I wish you well with your Investments and net value scorecard. I’m seeking to honor a legacy and family tradition that comes with stewardship of a fine timepiece.
BTW...Tokyo is wonderful, stay at the Aman

Anonymous said...

Lighten up, it's just a humerus post about fashion; jeez!

Anonymous said...

Here is a tip for both the well to do and barely making it. Buy a cheap used suit on e bay. By cheap i mean the price not the brand. You can find something good for less than $100. Take it downtown to Al The Tailor. For $100 he will make it sparkle and no one will know the difference. You will look like a million bucks but only if you do not cut corners on the shirt. Even if it breaks you, get nice dress shirts from Brooks Brothers. For ties, ditto the e bay route but for God's sake, do not, and I mean DO NOT, let the short end dangle. Pin it to the front from behind. Nothing reeks of low class ignorance than a poorly worn tie. Keep your shoes shined. As for the women, simple: high heels, bare legs, and mini skirts. You too could be the next Mrs. Donald Trump

Anonymous said...

Some fashion tips, especially to impress the ladies, would definitely be a good thing. Not only to shine but also to know what to buy them

Anonymous said...

Woman lawyer here. Ditto 10:38's comment. I've concluded that my money is better spent investing toward my freedom from work and exploring the world. When I have that urge to splurge, I purchase barely used luxury items on consignment online retailers and ebay. Keep it simple and classic with those high-end items: a simple Cartier, a classic Chanel flap bag. They never go out of style. As for dresses, there's no reason to ever pay full price on clothing. Even your high-end retailers have great sales and discounts.

Scotty Saul said...

Yup, I take responsibility...hurl the bad and good (if it exists) at me. I don't hide my identity. You see me in the hallways; let me have it.

Anonymous said...

I am quite upset. One of the posts states with certainty that if you travel to Tokyo and want the BEST hotel ... stay at the AMAN.

Ludicrous. Clearly the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo At Marunouchi is by far number one. Just compare the amenities on the concierge floors, spa features and dining variables.

Please Sir or Madame, stop spreading such weak guidance for our seasoned international Blog readers.

What’s next? A review of 3 star hotels in Switzerland?

Anonymous said...

I wear mostly Brooks Brothers suits. I like the understated and classic elegance. Oh, and by the way, I buy all my suits and ties at thrift stores. A good cleaning and a good tailor will make them perfect and I save a bundle.

Anonymous said...

Who is Scott Saul?