What Kind of Bags Do Lawyers Carry?

The best bag for lawyers to carry is either a full-grain leather briefcase or structured tote bag with a laptop compartment.

You can wear a leather backpack on your office commute, as long as it looks professional and you avoid taking it to court (that means no canvas backpacks).

Shoulder straps will help you carry your briefcase, but detach them for anything client facing or important, as they crease the lines in your clothing.

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.

Our favorite luxury briefcase for male lawyers is the No.1 Briefcase, and our favorite high-end work bag for female lawyers is the City Laptop Bag.

Learn more in our full guide with suggestions below:

Your Commute Is Not a Runway - But Your Bag Still Needs to Work Like It’s on Trial

Because what works in court doesn’t always work on a train, in a classroom, or during a TSA pat-down

You don’t just go from point A to B. You go from office to deposition to Starbucks to class to client drinks - often all in the same day. That bag better keep up. Here's how to pick a format that fits you - not just your outfit.

Structured Leather Briefcase

Old school? A bit. Timeless? Definitely.

If you walk into court with anything less than this, you’d better hope opposing counsel is too distracted by your case law to notice. Look for 15-17" laptop sleeves, three compartments, and durable YKK zippers. Bonus: a quick-access business card pocket for those "Oh, we should connect" moments.

Best for: Trial attorneys, appellate clerks, interview days, or that one formal partner who reads The New York Times front-to-back every morning.

Our top picks:

Image above: No.1 Leather Briefcase

Image above: CITY Laptop Bag

Modern Backpack (Minimalist, Structured)

Let’s be clear: we’re not talking about the thing you used to lug around your Civ Pro textbook.

Think beautiful leather, not casual JanSport. A professional backpack should be 20-25 liters, hold upright like a case file, and offer quick access to your tech during security lines.

It really has to be leather; no other material looks professional enough for a law firm, unless you hide it as you get in.

Best for: Corporate associates, public defenders, or anyone who’s mastered the art of billable hours + bus schedules.

Our top picks:

Image above: Liberty Leather Backpack

Image above: 10X Travel Backpack

Professional Tote (Zippered, Structured)

The Mary Poppins of legal bags.

Somehow fits your laptop, planner, flats, gym gear, and a breakfast bar - without screaming “I live out of my bag.”

Look for full zippers (not flimsy magnets), feet on the bottom, and 15-18 liters of carry space. Pro tip: microfiber lining makes spills a non-event.

One AGC I know? Swears by hers that has a built-in charger and an umbrella sleeve. "I’m one canceled Uber away from a meltdown without it," she told me.

Best for: In-house counsel, firm-to-family-life jugglers, and anyone who needs “just one more compartment.”

Our top picks:

Image above: Elegance Leather Tote Bag

Messenger Bag (Slim, Magnetic, Functional)

Think: quick access without the chaos.

Ideal for working in coffee shops or bouncing between meetings. Just make sure it’s 4-5 inches deep, adjusts to at least 48 inches, and has a flap that won’t fly open when the wind picks up outside 60 Centre Street.

Best for: Professors, solo practitioners, IP lawyers who travel light but think deep.

Choosing by context helps prevent regret purchases that only look good in theory.

Next up: Let’s talk about the small details that turn “this looks good” into “this works brilliantly.”

Our top picks:

Image above: Essential Modern Briefcase

Image above: Exquisite Laptop Bag

Further inspiration:

• Mens' Lawyer Briefcases
• Female Lawyer Bags
• Women's Legal Briefcases
• Lawyer Purses

We also have a complete guide on work bags for female lawyers here.

Why Most “Work Bags” Will Betray You When It Counts

Because looking sharp is pointless if your gear can’t hold up under pressure

We’ve all been there. You buy the bag that looks like it belongs in a conference room at Skadden - until you take it out in the rain and it starts bubbling like a microwaved contract. Or that ultra-slim backpack that seemed sleek in the store but turned out to be a glorified envelope with straps.

Frustrating? Sure. Avoidable? Absolutely.

Let’s break down what tends to go very wrong in bags that talk the talk but can’t walk the long commute.

• Structure issues: Ever set your bag down during a partner meeting only to watch it fold in on itself like an overworked intern? Bags without 3mm internal reinforcement can’t support anything heavier than a printout from LexisNexis. You need 12-15cm depth and a flat base that doesn’t buckle under pressure - literally.

• Compartment chaos: If you're still tossing everything into one main pocket, you're basically operating like someone who hasn't passed Civil Procedure. Look for at least 3 interior compartments, or be prepared to dig like you're searching for precedent on Westlaw with a broken filter.

• Leather that flakes like an old case file: Anything under $150 that says “genuine leather” is probably lying. You want 1.2-1.4mm full-grain or top-grain leather - anything less and you’ll be shedding flakes all over the client pitch.

• Straps that hurt more than your first cold-call in Con Law: A solid strap should be at least 1.5 inches wide, padded, and long enough (up to 50 inches) to actually go crossbody - without cutting off circulation.

• Bottoms that won’t sit still: No feet = no stability. Your bag shouldn’t roll off a courthouse bench like it's trying to make a statement. Look for four studs and a 0.5-inch base panel to keep it grounded.

You remember that colleague who spent 15 awkward minutes wrestling her MacBook out of a bag mid-client pitch? Cringe. She didn’t get a callback - not because she wasn’t brilliant, but because that moment made everything feel disorganized. That’s the problem: no one will tell you, but they always notice.

Even minor design flaws become career irritants when repeated daily.

Next stop: Let’s match the right kind of bag to the kind of day you’re actually living.

The Tiny Features That Quietly Save Your Day - Or Ruin It

Because success in law is a detail game, and your bag is no exception

Sure, a bag looks good. But does it work like a paralegal hopped up on espresso? Because when you’re running through an airport at 6am or walking into your second client meeting of the day, small features start to matter like crazy.

Look for these deal-makers:

• Laptop protection that’s more than just padding: You want a padded 15.6" compartment with at least 0.5-0.7 inches of dense foam and a strap to hold it in place. Bonus if it’s shock-absorbent or has RFID shielding.

• Smart dividers: Internal compartments should work like a legal assistant: three gusseted sections, one for tech, one for documents, and one for miscellaneous gear. The difference between “where’s my charger” and “here it is” is minutes saved.

• Stitching and zippers that don’t tap out: YKK #8 or #10 zippers. Saddle stitching or bar-tacking every 3-4 inches. Don’t settle.

• A trolley sleeve that actually fits your roller bag: Some are too narrow or poorly placed. Look for 5-7 inches wide, centered, and reinforced.

• Quick-grab external pocket: Need to grab your ID at courthouse security? That’s what this is for. Ideal size: 6.5" by 3.5", zipped, and high enough that things don’t fall out when you bend down.

Don't be that friend who missed their Metro stop trying to find a fob in your bag with zero outside pockets. Get a new bag - with an ID slot and phone sleeve. Now you'll walk through security like you own the building.

Good design pays for itself every week with saved minutes, reduced headaches, and preserved documents.

Let’s dig into the avoidable mistakes that kill your credibility - even when the rest of you looks like a SCOTUS nominee.

How to Ruin a $500 Suit With a $50 Mistake

Because all it takes is one bag to undo everything else you got right

You’re suited up. Prepared. You walk in with confidence - and a bag that looks like it just crawled out of a law library in 2012. You won’t notice, but everyone else will. Here's how to avoid the silent sabotage.

• Wearing it wrong: Briefcases aren’t meant to sag like a sad paper grocery bag. Crossbody straps too short? You’ll look hunched. Overstuffed messenger? Feels like you live out of your car. Your setup should feel intentional.

• Letting wear show too soon: Leather needs care. A $2000 bag without conditioning can look like a $60 one in 2 years. Recondition every 3-6 months, depending on weather and wear. Trust that a top lawyer isn’t showing up with salt stains and cracking handles.

• Flexing logos too hard: Your big monogram might kill at brunch - but in court? It distracts. A sernios partner will mentally clock every logo that enters the deposition room. “The quieter ones tend to know what they’re doing.”

• Treating it like a storage locker: Want to look put-together? Start by not carrying a CVS receipt from three months ago. Use internal pouches, limit yourself to 6-8 compartments, and group by function (tech, documents, accessories).

Picture this: During mock trial season, a classmate’s brilliant argument is eclipsed by a bulging tote with a ripped side seam. Nobody mentions it - but everyone remembers it.

Small cues affect credibility - sometimes more than you realize.

See our full guide on suits for lawyers here.

Your outfit says you care. Your bag proves it.

Final word: Your future self - the one getting client referrals and first-chair trials - will be glad you stopped putting this off.

This Isn’t Just a Bag - It’s a Mobile Courtroom Assistant

Because the right gear makes you feel 10% sharper, 100% of the time

Think of this as your silent second chair. The bag you carry into court, class, or a firm meeting isn’t just about holding stuff. It’s an external hard drive for your brain.

A well-designed setup helps you move faster, think clearer, and feel more in control - even on the 14-hour days when your phone is dying and your notes are soaked.

Here’s the thing: a good bag costs $750-2000, depending on materials and features. But the lifespan? Easily 7-10 years with proper care. That’s less than the average bar prep course, and far more useful daily.

Want your own “I’ve got this” moment? It doesn’t start with a pep talk. It starts with a bag that holds up under cross.

There’s no “perfect time” to upgrade - it becomes obvious in hindsight when you’ve already done it.

See our complete guide on what lawyers wear here.