When I was a young lawyer, I wore what I thought a lawyer was supposed to wear: lots of suits with lots of shoulder pads. I bought my suits from a retailer that no longer exists, Alcott & Andrews, a store with boring clothing that made you look like a boring lawyer. I always felt like I was wearing a costume.

At the time I was a young associate doing whatever was asked of me by the partners but dreaming of being an entertainment lawyer, which isn’t easy in Washington, D.C., where I was living at the time.

I did end up building a small practice representing a few anchors, documentary filmmakers, and artists for television. But I eventually realized I’d rather play a lawyer on TV than be one in real life. So I ended up quitting the practice of law. But I kept the wardrobe so I could wear it to auditions. My clothes actually became my costumes.

But it's my contention that today’s female lawyers and professionals don't have to sacrifice style in the workplace. Exhibit A: one of my favorite shows about lawyers, The Good Wife. (I know it’s fiction, but I’m hopeful it’s art imitating life—at least when it comes to the outfits.)

To prove my case, I spoke with Staci Riordan, who specializes in fashion law in Nixon Peabody's Los Angeles office. The local office of Nixon Peabody is partnering with the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys in hosting Riordan here, on Oct. 15, in a presentation to Rochester lawyers on the ins and outs of the legal side of fashion. That evening, Nixon Peabody is a sponsor of the evening runway show at Fashion Week of Rochester (whose sponsors include other area law firms such as Woods Oviatt Gilman, as well).

Perfect timing for those lawyers who want to dress for success at the Riordan talk: The day before, Fashion Week is also holding a lunchtime runway show called fashion 9 to 5, highlighting business attire and day-to-evening looks from retailers such as Ruffles, Suzanne’s Distinctive Fashions, WhiteHouse/Black Market and Lord & Taylor.

Riordan began her career as an executive in the fashion industry. She decided to go to law school because she knew there was a need for lawyers who could help a growing fashion business tackle the many legal hurdles they might encounter. After graduating, she started representing designers such as Armani and hot brands like Lucky Brand, Reformation, and James Perse.

I asked her what she wears to work as a fashion lawyer. As I suspected: no boring suits for her.

“We need to relate to our clients, and one of the ways we do that is by what we wear," Riordan said."When you are a fashion lawyer, that means you can push the envelope and be cool—but still, no see-through blouses, which are all the rage on the runway.”

Meg Mundy, Chief Fashion Officer of Fashion Week (which benefits the Center for Youth), agrees that while lawyers and businesswomen need to respect the guidelines of the workplace, “you can still express a little of your own personal style each day.”

My counsel: Head to Fashion Week for some inspiration about how to do just that.

The Suburban Outlaw is a recovering  lawyer who helps people around the world  present with passion through her company  ShermanEDGE: Explore, Dream, Grow  & Excite. She lives in Pittsford. Read her  Saturday column in The Democrat and  Chronicle and at herrochester.com; or visit www. suburbanoutlaw.com