Last time I bought a briefcase it was like $50 from TJ max. It looked fine. Black, looked like leather, combination lock, latches worked, handle didn’t fall off when I picked it up. I still have it in my closet 30 years later and it still works so it definitely qualifies as BIFL. I had no idea people were spending $2000 on a box to carry papers around in.

I’ll sell it to you for $1000. You can use the remaining $1000 in your budget to buy a pen and some binder clips.

You may be in a totally different social class or law school bracket than I was, leaving a borderline T14 public for an AmLaw 100 a few years after the crash. But absolutely nobody was expecting me to march in anywhere toting two fat stacks' worth of luxury brand incidentally stamped onto leather.

It's your job to know your environment, but consider this a signal to reconsider whether now is the time to be dropping big money on accessories. It's natural to be nervous, but your defense mechanism there should be reading everything you can find and listening to people willing to lift you up, not acquiring magic confidence talismans.

I'd buy a burner. Preferably one that looks used. Don't expect to know what you'll want the rest of your career.

Mad men is over buddy.

For $2000, make sure the handles are strong enough to lug your ego around town

Take $1900, go on a trip to Italy. Enjoy the food, stay in a nice place, and spend $50-$100 on a hand-crafted, unique briefcase. Get some gelato with the remaining money.

i dont think ive seen a brief case since the 90s... you should look for a tablet instead.

https://zerohalliburton.com/collections/attache-cases is what you want Mr. Bond.

https://www.carlfriedrik.com/products/palissy-briefcase-slim-leather-briefcase

You are talking Gucci range price wise. Why not look at Tumi?

I only know this because I have one of their wallets which I love, but Mitchell leather makes custom briefcases, will last a lifetime, and their custom ones are like $1900, so actually within your budget somehow.

https://mitchell-leather.com/pages/briefcases

Lotuff

Check eBay for Kendal & Hyde or SALT Co. I have a briefcase by them (same designer for both). Defunct companies but the products are solid, heavy leather and I like the style. My briefcase has been on a hundred or more flights, international trips, tossed around, walked miles etc and still looks fantastic and has held up. I managed to get mine for $250 from a FB group that trades this specific brand.

If you absolutely positively got to have an expensive designer brand, then I'd look at Montblanc. They make good quality products and fit right in with a stylish lawyer aesthetic. The only downside to my SALT Co bag is that it is thick and heavy leather, so I've thought about retiring it and Montblanc is the brand I keep coming back to. Haven't actually done it yet because my current bag is just so good.

I like the Tecovas cases

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My dad loves his Filson, it’s canvas with leather straps, large enough for thick books and his laptop. Made in the US (which honestly meh) and I think it’s got a good look on it

2 grand is such a great budget, you could probably have one made to your specifications by a reputable manufacturer. I have a Shinola leather briefcase that will almost certainly last forever since I only use if for offsite meetings (around 20 days a year), it’s cheaper than the Clegg, looks good and is unlikely to go out of style.

For day to day I use a Tumi, I’ve had it for 5 years and it’s still in good shape. Not formal or leather, and unlikely to catch any eyes among the Brioni crowd, but it’s a very durable and useful case.

Filson. This one is 20 years old and it just gets better and better.

You see them all over DC, in law offices, lobbyists, on the Hill, etc. Fits in in any situation.

My Zero Halliburton aluminum case that I purchased more than 35 years ago is as good today as it was when it was new. On business it's traveled back and forward across the Atlantic many, many times, and it's been on countless other business trips around Europe, the Americas, Dubai, and South Africa. A true buy-it-for-life product.

I'd check out London brands Ettinger, Swaine Adeney, or (the now defunct) Papworth. New they may be over your budget, but I picked up an as new Swaine Adeney briefcase for £500 which is brilliant and will last many lifetimes

IMO Any briefcase that you like under $2000.00 is perfect. If you spend over $2000.00 most probably people will think you are a perfect moron.

https://frostriver.com/collections/briefcases would any of these work?

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