Best Briefcases for Lawyers & Attorneys in 2022

If you’re a younger legal professional, you may have found yourself using a messenger bag rather than a briefcase over the years.

However, the briefcase remains the number one method for transporting essentials if you’re a lawyer.

The leather briefcase plays a pivotal role in the life of a lawyer. It can heavily influence the way that others see you, and this is why it’s important to choose carefully when you are looking for a briefcase.

It’s also essential that your briefcase is durable enough to stand up to heavy use, given that it will come into contact with a host of objects over the working day.

Your briefcase needs to be manufactured from high-quality materials if it is to stand up to everyday use.

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What is the most traditional kind of briefcase for a lawyer?

Lawyers have traditionally used expandable, leather calf-skin briefcases. These typically have a single thick leather handle as well as metal hardware which is traditionally brass. Over the years, production techniques have evolved, and there are scores of exciting iterations to choose from. Options that you may be interested in include shoulder strapped bags, two-wheeled bags and four-wheeled bags.

Benefits of a Briefcase

There are many great reasons for investing in a briefcase even in the 2020s. Lawyers tend to deal with people on a face-to-face basis much more regularly than people working in various other sectors. This is why aesthetics are still essential if you’re a lawyer keen to make a good impression. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of using a briefcase if you’re a legal professional right now.

Efficiency

Briefcases are ideal for pragmatic types seeking something that will serve a range of purposes. They are ideal for transporting various types of materials including physical documents and electronic devices. The best briefcases fuse sturdiness with lightweight design and make it easier for legal professionals to merge their personal and professional lives. Finding the right briefcase for your needs and preferences can take time, but once you have invested enough hours in sourcing something suitable, you’re unlikely to regret your decision.

Professionalism

A quality briefcase gives you the chance to appear professional within a wide range of environments. These can include your client’s office, the courthouse and outdoor environments.

Choosing the right briefcase for your needs can be a professional and personal process. Over the years, various other options have materialized, yet the briefcase still beats many other methods of transporting your documents and devices. Briefcases offer a timeless sense of elegance and show no signs of falling out of favor.

Make the right first impression

It’s important to make a good first impression no matter which industry you’re based in, but it’s particularly essential to do so if you work in the legal sector. A professional appearance enables you to appear dependable and trustworthy. If a client first encounters you whilst you’re simply holding a pen and paper, you’re unlikely to make such a great impression than you would if you were armed with a briefcase.

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Best Briefcases for Lawyers 2022

Here we have our choice for the best briefcases for lawyers by type and style:

Best Professional Briefcase for Lawyers

Winner: No1 Premium Leather Briefcase

Pros:

• Locking main comparment.
• Useful easy access back compartment.
• Full grain leather.
• Handmade in Florence, Italy.
• Soft cotton lining.
• Durable YKK brass zippers.
• 15.6 inch laptop compartment.
• Detacheable shoulders strap.
• Can be personalized.
• Available in black, brown, or tan leather.

Click here to check the price

Best Underseat Travel Briefcase for Lawyers

Winner: Essential Modern Briefcase

Pros:

• Full grain leather
• Detachable shoulder strap
• 15.6 inch laptop zipper pocket
• Large external pocket.
• Two large zipped internal pockets
• Handmade in Italy
• Can be personalized
• Available in black, brown, or tan.

Click here to check the price

Best Garment Briefcase for Lawyers

Winner: Grand Leather Garment Bag

Pros:

• Full grain leather
• Dedicated garment carrier.
• Carry-on luggage size.
• Carry a suit and shirt without creasing.
• Large main compartment for other items.
• 16 inch laptop compartment.
• Perfect for the gym or business travel.
• Adjustable shoulder strap.
• Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
• Handmade in Italy
• Can be personalized

Click here to check the price

Best 15-inch Laptop Briefcase for Lawyers

Winner: Essential Modern Briefcase

Pros:

• Full grain leather
• Detachable shoulder strap
• 15.6 inch laptop zipper pocket
• Large external pocket.
• Two large zipped internal pockets
• Handmade in Italy
• Can be personalized
• Available in black, brown, or tan.

Click here to check the price

Best 17-inch Laptop Briefcase for Lawyers

Winner: CITY Large Laptop Briefcase

Pros:

• 17 inch laptop compartment.
• Full grain leather.
• Handmade in Florence, Italy.
• Soft cotton lining.
• Durable YKK brass zippers.
• Spacious design, without being bulky.
• Can be personalized.

The CITY large is available in black, brown, or tan leather.

Browse the CITY Large online here.

Best Messenger Briefcase for Lawyers

Winner: Exquisite Slim Leather Laptop Briefcase

• Full grain leather
• Slim profile
• Detachable shoulder strap
• 14 inch laptop compartment
• Mobile and tablet slip pockets
• Large internal zipped pocket
• Three pen slots
• Fits A4 size paper
• Handmade in Italy
• Can be personalized
• Available in black, brown, red, or tan.

Click here to check the price

Types of Briefcases

The standard briefcase typically consists of a spacious interior with a few pockets and sections and a cover flap to protect its contents. It will either feature a handle or something similar that will allow you to transport it with ease. Aside from the standard, basic briefcase, there are several other options available to you. Let’s take a closer look at some of these right now.

Modern Leather Briefcases

Modern leather briefcases tend to be soft sided, with two handles on the top of the case, allowing you to carry it by your side.

They are professional, and practical, with most being able to carry a laptop or tablet as well as essential papers.

Messenger Briefcases

The messenger is perhaps the most casual option available to you. It normally has a long strap rather than a handle. Messenger bags are incredibly portable and allow you to transport items including books, laptops and documents. This kind of bag normally has a top cover that you can flip open to use various spacious dividers. These are great for organizing and protecting a large number of documents. If you spend a lot of time walking around and carry a diverse range of materials around with you, this could be what you require. However, if you’re particularly concerned about maintaining a professional appearance, it may be best to opt for one of the sleeker products on the market.

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Travel Briefcases

If you regularly head out on work trips, you may need access to a travel briefcase. These are often referred to as ‘rolling’ briefcases. The purpose of this kind of briefcase is to help you transport items like laptops, documents and a few items of clothing when you’re away on business. These briefcases have wheels and a long handle to make transportation a breeze.

Padfolio

The padfolio is similar to the portfolio and is one of the simplest types of briefcase available to you. Padfolios typically come in two sizes, which are letter and legal size. You can hold various kinds of items in a padfolio, and these include business cards, post-it notes, pens and notepads. If you need to transport other, bigger items with you, it may be best to assess your other options. The padfolio is best suited for office meetings and lawyers who don’t need to carry too much around with them.

Portfolio

Standard portfolios are also ideal for those seeking something simple. One of the key differences between portfolios and padfolios is that they offer extra portability. Some modern portfolios have handles on their sides, and they also come with zips. You may be able to fit a little more documentation in a portfolio, and they tend to be sturdier than padfolios. If you’re a lawyer who gets around a lot and isn’t interested in obtaining something heavier, a portfolio might be for you. Just remember that you are limited in terms of how much documentation you can carry around in a portfolio.

Attache Cases

When people think about standard business briefcases, they often have images of attachés on their minds. This is widely regarded as the business world gold standard. This kind of bag normally opens in the centre and has a large compartment on one side and a host of pockets for devices and other small items. If you need to transport a large amount of documentation around you regularly and need easy access to business cards and pens, this could be the most suitable option for you.

Briefcase vs Attache

The main difference between an attaché and a briefcase is that the latter opens up into one major compartment. The vast majority of briefcases are manufactured from leather. They are normally bulkier too.

Are briefcases still popular?

Briefcases remain more popular in the legal world than you might think. Many lawyers are still using briefcases in order to maintain a professional appearance and get all the functionality that they need. The briefcase may have changed over the years, but their functionality has ensured they remain extremely popular.

How wide should my briefcase be?

What’s right for one lawyer isn’t always the best match for another. However, it’s common for legal professionals to opt for briefcases that are between 15 – 16.5 inches wide, 11 – 13 inches high and 4 – 6 inches deep.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article on the best briefcases for lawyers.

If you have any questions or comments, contact us at info@vonbaer.com, or leave them in the comments.

Want to read more? Check out our Work pages here, and our Leather pages here.