In almost every television show and movie, the lawyer’s office is decorated with luxurious furniture and expensive artwork. The lawyer’s décor is conveying the message that he or she is highly successful. Such posh decorations may be reassuring to ultra wealthy clients, but it is often off-putting to the remaining 99% of the population. An excessively decorated office will cause many clients to believe that they are paying for the lawyer’s elaborate taste in furniture, as opposed to legal services.

I personally know that many successful lawyers in Maryland who have spartan offices. These attorneys are more concerned about impressing their clients with their knowledge of the law than with their office décor. In case you are wondering, I bought almost all of my law office furniture from Sam’s Club in 1995.