What to wear...

Rules are very strict for females in Court... or, at least, they should be if you're trained well. If appearing in Court as an attorney (or, I suppose, if you're the Plaintiff or the Defendant), wear black or navy. Suit. No bows, no ruffles, no frills, no stripes, no fun colors. Nothing that you could buy at the Limited or the Gap. Nothing that looks remotely fun. Go to your Casual Corner or your Ann Taylor (NOT Loft), and get a wrinkle-free, super boring suit. Wear it with a button-down and pearls. Shoes should be closed-toe. If you're wearing a skirt, wear panty-hose. Hair back and out of your face. Take off your diamonds, and wear a wedding band (even if not married). The jury will REALLY take you apart, and you have to make it so that they concentrate on your case and not your outfit. Plus, you have to look like you blend in with all the old men, and that's the only way you'll do it.

If you're interviewing for a job, then you should dress the same way.

I always get twice the respect in the power suit.

Pleasing the partners.

I do civil defense.  Litigation.  I've tried half a dozen in my long career.  Won 80%.  Sent to a no-brain deposition last week.  Sit and take notes.  Two-day-er.  Important client.  Not joking -- after partner found out they were sending the 'young female' associate, he started raging that his client was going to be mad.  I guess not enough gravitas.  He literally yelped that his client doesn't like females.  (truly I am not the women's lib type... but what am I SUPPOSED to think when this is what's yelled at me?)  I guess co-defendants liked me (only estrogen in the room), because they settled the matter, and had my client pay $0.  I've never heard of a defense matter being settled for $0.  But I did it.  Did angry partner grovel?  Nope.  Got a "preciate ya".  Welcome to the south.