Do Lawyers Still Use a Briefcase?

Quick answer:

Yes, most lawyers will still carry a modern briefcase or similar bag, particularly when attending court or client meetings. Those variations include laptop bags, totes, and messenger bags, which should be made from leather if client-facing/when appearances matter.

For large trials or depositions that require a lot of binders, a rolling briefcase is better, as the weight will be too much for your shoulder or back.

For the commute, lawyers tend to wear backpacks.

You don't see many classic "hard-shell" briefcases anymore, as lawyers favor more modern alternatives.

Our favorite briefcases are listed below:

Image above: No.1 Leather Briefcase

Image above: CITY Laptop Bag

Image above: Elegance Leather Tote Bag

Image above: Essential Modern Briefcase

Image above: No.2 Messenger Briefcase

Image above: Exquisite Laptop Bag

You can also browse more briefcases at the following links:

• Men's Lawyer Briefcases
• Women's Lawyer Briefcases

Why Do Some Lawyers Still Carry a Traditional Bag? Because Court Still Runs on Optics

We live in the age of AI assistants and Slack-based litigation teams.

Yet, courtrooms? They're still analog in more ways than anyone admits.

In some jurisdictions, you're still bringing in three printed copies of a filing - and one for the clerk’s cousin, apparently.

If you’ve ever stood before a judge who doesn’t email - only faxes - you know exactly what this means.

That’s where the briefcase still thrives: high-visibility roles where presentation still matters.

Criminal defense, federal prosecution, judicial clerkships - these are arenas where you're read head to toe before you even say “Good morning, Your Honor.” Partners at firms like Cravath or Sidley Austin don’t show up with a gym bag.

In court, a briefcase isn’t just a bag. It’s a visual cue. It says, I came with the documents, the logic, and the authority.

It’s not about nostalgia. It’s about not leaving anything up to interpretation - especially in rooms where perception can sway judgment.

But wait - if that's so true... why are so many others walking in hands-free with a latte and a laptop sleeve?

Why Are Some Lawyers Ditching the Briefcase? Because Paper Isn’t the Point Anymore

Picture this: It’s 9:15 AM. You’re dialed into a deposition from your living room, your cat is aggressively inspecting your affidavit, and your notes? Already tagged, color-coded, and pulled up in OneNote. Why would you need a leather fortress to hold a binder you haven’t printed since 2019?

Here’s the thing - legal practice has gone digital faster than most firms admit out loud. Unless you’re in court daily, your workflow likely lives in a cloud stack of Clio, Dropbox, Notion, and Zoom. You’ve replaced manila folders with bookmarks. Your case law fits in your pocket.

In fact, many younger attorneys have gone zero-paper. That’s not a flex. That’s just reality.

During a summer internship, I never once printed a case summary - everything was on Notion. I used a laptop sleeve inside a tote. Nobody blinked. The partner I worked under even asked me to share my template.

That’s not to say you don’t prepare. You just don’t carry things unless there’s no other option. And when what you do carry is lighter, faster, and smarter - it changes what kind of bag makes sense.

We have a full lawyer outfit guide here.

So what bags actually fit this new reality - and still make you look like you belong at a table full of AmLaw partners?

What Are Lawyers Carrying Now? Smart Bags for a Smarter Workflow

Let’s get specific. You’ve got a 16” MacBook Pro, a charger the size of a brick, your bar card, a water bottle, maybe a half-crushed KIND bar. The bag that fits all of that isn’t your undergrad backpack or a slim $5,000 heritage briefcase from Milan.

It's something in between: form meets function with the chill turned down to professional.

Here’s what’s dominating the legal scene right now:

• Slim laptop briefcases (structured, understated, often leather or ballistic nylon)

• Messenger bags with document sleeves and crossbody comfort

• Hybrid bags with tuck-away backpack straps - perfect for courtroom-to-commute

• High-end backpacks

• Minimalist leather totes with internal dividers and zipper security

Each one has a role. Choosing the right one isn’t just about looks - it’s about how you work.

Think of your bag like a closing argument: it should be tight, intentional, and leave no loose ends.

We have a full post on what bags lawyers carry here.

But don’t just shop based on aesthetics - buy based on your setting. Are you courtroom-bound, or couch-to-Zoom daily?

Do Courtroom Lawyers Carry Different Bags Than Office-Based Ones?

Think of it like footwear. You wouldn’t wear heels to a hike - or sneakers to an arraignment. Your bag’s the same way.

Litigators, especially those in court 2–5 days a week, need structure. Their bags must:

• Stand upright

• Survive metal detectors

• Handle 2–3 binders without distorting

• Not snap under the weight of precedent - literally

Transaction attorneys, IP specialists, remote in-house counsel? They live and breathe in Slack threads and Google Docs. Their ideal bag is quiet, efficient, and probably made of water-resistant recycled material from an upmarket tech brand.

“The courtroom is a stage. I wouldn’t bring a North Face backpack into a deposition any more than I’d wear flip-flops.” Formality where it counts, functionality where it fits.

TL;DR: Trial bag = performance-ready. Office bag = optimized for comfort and tech. Yes, many lawyers have both. It’s not indulgent - it’s practical.

And this leads us to the big question… if the briefcase doesn’t rule anymore, is it quietly headed to the Smithsonian?

Is the Briefcase Going Extinct? Not Likely - It’s Just Reinventing Itself

Spoiler: the briefcase isn’t dying - it’s pulling a Robert Downey Jr. comeback arc. Same lead, new edge, better range.

Modern briefcases are sleeker, smarter, and tech-literate. They're made to hold laptops, not legal pads.

Some have built-in battery packs, others slide over your carry-on handles at LaGuardia or Reagan National.

They're built for people toggling between partner meetings and airport security.

Choose wisely.