In retired Judge Fred Mester’s Trial Preparation Class conducted Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Colleen O’Brien’s courtroom, student and German attorney Christian Geier displayed the Rechtsanwalt robe, the uniform professional attire for attorneys throughout Germany.
The history of the German Rechtsanwalt wearing a robe dates back to 1726. In that year the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelem I entered an order mandating uniform attire for attorneys in the courtrooms of his territories.
In his own sarcastic manner he said: “In all seriousness, we herby order and command that the advocates pursuant to our order shall wear black woolen coats that go beneath the knees, so one can recognize those scamps from afar.”
Today the Rechtsanwalt’s duty to wear a robe is codified in Germany’s Federal Rules of Professional Practice which grants some discretion to local practices and states that wearing a robe is not mandatory for appearances in civil matters at local district courts.
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