Dress code 341 MI eastern district.......

[johny]

Hi all,

My 341 is coming up next week.....looking for suggestions on an appropriate dress ( me and the wife ) ...thinking business casual will make us presentable....comments pls specially from fellow bk'rs from the Michigan eastern District...tee ...shapiro, mark

thx in advance..
johny

[NoMoreCards]

Business casual would be perfectly fine. When I was there, some people dressed as homeless bums (perhaps were, with our economy), but most dressed casually. Jeans and such were perfectly acceptable, but I wore business casual and fit right in.

Best of luck.

[isabella]

Business casual is fine. I saw everyhitng in my 341, uniforms, to sweatshirts and jeans. I was dressed business casual. It is really not a big deal at all, and you will probably wait for your hearing longer than it will actaully last.

[Rob517]

I saw it all yesterday as well but I wore a shirt and tie and looked like an attorney compared to others. For me its about m feeling of respecting the court and dressing as such. I realize not everyone feels that way.

[HakunaMatata]

I had the same experience as Rob. I couldn't bring myself to wear anything less than respectable business casual. However, others didn't think similarly and this was completely acceptable. I witnessed quite a range including jeans, stretch pants, and three piece suits (with coordinating hats!). Appropriate dress surely hasn't been established.

Don't forget to bring money for parking (the joys of being bankrupt in Detroit!). Be sure to bring your patience as well. My trustee was running an hour behind. Good luck!

[Mi Bankruptcy]

I was western district and work shirt and tie. The wife wore dress pants and a nice blouse

[Michigan1951]

No ties, dresses, or suits in Western District of Michigan for us. BUT some did come wearing wrinkled clothing and uncombed hair. Yes, really. We dressed with clean clothes, groomed hair/nails. I heard to not wear fancy jewelry, and for women, to not have expensive fake nails/polish/fur coats. We didn't have to worry about luxury items.
My lawyer came with suit/tie/and trench coat which made us proud. He is a sharp gentleman!!

[johny]

thx guys for spending time replying to this thread...looks like its the biz casuals ...will let u know how it goes...and leena thx for the reminder on the parking ....,, patience.. )

[Mi Bankruptcy]

Dont bring a cell phone with you. They don't allow em the fed buildings.

[OhioFiler]

I had the same experience as Rob. I couldn't bring myself to wear anything less than respectable business casual. However, others didn't think similarly and this was completely acceptable. I witnessed quite a range including jeans, stretch pants, and three piece suits (with coordinating hats!). Appropriate dress surely hasn't been established.

Don't forget to bring money for parking (the joys of being bankrupt in Detroit!). Be sure to bring your patience as well. My trustee was running an hour behind. Good luck!

Must have felt like being in church!

[justbroke]

Please note that dress is District-specific. Please ask your attorney or look at the 341 Meeting notice that the Trustee mails you prior to the meeting.

"Appropriate attire: You are reminded that Local Rule 5072-1(b)(16) requires that persons should dress in appropriate business attire consistent with their financial abilities. Among other things, a coat and tie are appropriate for a man; a dress or pants suit is appropriate for a woman."

This is what you should do or not do!

• Do leave your Rolex or any other designer watch, home!
• Don't where your Prada, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Armani or any other clothing like that... it's not a "dress to impress" kinda meeting!
• Leave your Prada, Gucci, Luis Vitton, and Coach purses, satchels, wallets and the like at home!
• Even if it's -10F, don't wear your Fur coat.
• Don't wear sneakers, but some comfortable, but not expensive shoes
• Don't wear wife-beater shirts, tank tops, your "clubbing" outfits, mid-riff shirts, or anything that you wouldn't wear to church.
• Do be on time and arrive early! There are benefits to arriving early and listening in on other 341 Meetings!
• Do leave your cellphone in your car or at home!!! Many 341 Meetings are held inside Federal Courthouses. Federal Courthouses don't allow entry of cellular telephones, recording devices, or cameras.
• Do take a shower!
• Do leave children at home.
• Don't forget about parking and traffic!

When I went to my 341, I wore business casual with pressed button down shirt, tucked in. Pressed dress slacks, shoes, leather belt. Something I could go to work in a professional environment.

I think I was the best dressed at my 341 (other than the lawyers).

When I attend court, I wear a suit.

Look... think of it this way. They have seen your financials and know what you should be able to afford. Having wrote that, i wouldn't go into a 341 adorned with expensive jewelry, Rolex watch, or any such thing, as it may just bring up questions during the meeting.

[HakunaMatata]

Oddly, we're permitted to have mobile phones in Detroit. Obviously, they need to be turned off. Even more odd (think on and off Murder Capital), there is NO security check (Johny, walk in the door and head to the elevators). I learned this the hard way. After loading my belongings on the conveyor and handing my ID to a security officer, I was asked where I was headed. I didn't get beyond saying "bankruptcy" before I was pulled out of the security check and sent on my way. Very easy process. I've experienced greater difficulty accessing Detroit hospitals!

[SPalin]

Cell phones are also allowed in the Fresno Division for the Eastern California court. Dress attire was casual to business casual, only two suites the Trustee and a Creditor! It is odd that even courts within a District can be different???

[justbroke]

The Courts in Florida must be paranoid then. They don't allow cameras or cellular phones in the Federal Courthouse. Most don't allow any electronics capable of recording or capturing images.

Please know that not all 341 Meetings are in Courthouses, so your mileage may vary. Some 341 locations are in the same building as the Courthouse, but the building is not a Federal Courthouse, so this can impact the conditions.

Just make sure that you read the Trustee's 341 Meeting notice which will include the local rules for your 341 Meeting location.