The Field Guide

The Churchill, or the Silk?

Two briefcases, one three-hundred-year-old reason lawyers still care what they carry — the real history of the barrister's red bag and the word "briefcase," and a field guide to choosing between En...

The Catalog Case: Hand Carry or Wheeled?

A catalog case exists for one reason — the matter outgrew what a briefcase could hold. The only real choice left is mechanical: carry it, or roll it. A field guide to Korchmar's Workhorse and Litig...

The Shirley, or the Camilla?

The bag that carries the working day, versus the one that carries everything else. Two Time Resistance pieces in full-grain Vachetta — and which belongs to which day.

Padfolio, or Portfolio?

The smallest decision you will make before a deposition, and the one your client actually notices. A field guide to choosing between a padfolio and a portfolio.

Card Case, or Card Wallet?

The object you hand to someone, versus the one you keep to yourself. A field guide to choosing between a business card case and a card wallet.

Fine Nib, or Medium?

The stroke width you choose once, and then write with for the next twenty years. A field guide to choosing a fountain pen nib.

Fountain, Rollerball, or Ballpoint?

Three formats, one hand, and only one of them belongs on a carbon-backed form. A field guide to choosing between a fountain pen, a rollerball and a ballpoint.

A Cigar, Counselor?

The profession's oldest closing ceremony — and the four instruments it actually requires. A field guide to the cigar ritual for the practicing lawyer.

Season It, or Ruin It?

A new humidor must be seasoned before use. Wipe the Spanish cedar with distilled water, charge the humidifier, and close the humidor over a dish of distilled water for 48 to 72 hours — then confirm...