When it comes to finding the best gift for any occasion — especially the winter holidays — Attorney at Work has you covered. Wander through our list of regularly updated gift ideas for the lawyers in your life and see what’s new for 2025.
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Lawyer Novelty Gifts
Sometimes a novelty gift, like a gavel paperweight or cheeky coffee mug or merch from their favorite podcast, is the perfect gift. Here are a few items that passed our taste test, though cringe tolerance levels may vary.
T-shirts (like “Born to Argue!” and #SistersinLaw) make fun gifts — and it is easy to create your own one-off custom design if you can’t find the perfect bon mot.
For the crafty lawyer, Stranded Stitch’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg DIY cross stitch kit makes a great gift for RBG fans.
The Lawyer Nutritional Facts coffee mug shown above is “11 ounces of inspiration” for every lawyer, but for the litigators on your list, consider the “Allegedly” mug or the “We Can’t Fix Stupid But We Can Give It a Court Date” mug.
An elegant gift like this subtly patterned scales of justice tie in royal blue is sure to bring joy to the lawyer giftee.
For sartorial splendor on a budget, you can’t beat socks for gift-giving. You can find socks for the world’s best lawyer in navy, and “justice junky” socks in elegant black on Etsy. Socks for a cause are an option: Purchases from Conscious Step support various humanitarian causes, including empowering women, rescuing animals and supporting national parks.
Tech Gifts and Gadgets for Lawyers
Tech-savvy gifts are always a hit with legal professionals. Here are some smart and functional gift ideas that cater to their professional needs.
Remarkable E-ink Digital Tablets. The new Remarkable Move tops Analog Attorney’s gift guide, and you can read all the reasons why in the Analog Attorney review here. The Move has all the features of the ReMarkable Paper Pro — an e-ink notebook that combines the tactile satisfaction of traditional paper with the convenience of digital tools — in a slimmed-down, hand-held size. The Pro, with its 11.8-inch color e-Ink display, adjustable reading light and precise stylus, offers an unparalleled writing experience, as does the Move. Both are excellent gift choices for those seeking a page-like, distraction-free, sustainable writing and note-taking experience. For more details on e-ink options, read our review of the Remarkable Paper Pro and “The War of the eTablets.”
Smartwatches. A smartwatch makes a terrific lawyer gift. It helps lawyers stay organized and connected with features like calendar reminders, email notifications, and fitness tracking. It’s a great gift idea for health-conscious, tech-savvy lawyers.
Portable Power Banks. A high-capacity portable power bank, such as the Anker PowerCore, ensures that a lawyer’s devices stay charged throughout the day, even when they’re on the go.
Wireless Headphones. Noise-canceling wireless headphones like the Bose 700 with Alexa voice control, the Bose QuietComfort or the Sony WH-1000XM4 help lawyers focus on their work without distractions. These are perfect for those long hours spent drafting documents or preparing for court.
Wellness Gifts for Every Lawyer in Your Circle
Because our lawyer heroes have gotta stay fresh for the fight, here are a few gift ideas that cater to their self-care and self-preservation needs.
Stay hydrated — and caffeinated, of course. When drinking from the apocalyptic firehose, you need suitable on-the-go drinkware for both hot and cold refreshments. The Kinto Travel Mug is a solid choice, as is the Stanley Quencher H2O FlowState Tumbler for the seriously thirsty (now in chic toasted almond).
For a splurge, consider the highly sought-after Ember Travel Mug 2, which allows you to set and maintain the temperature of your beverages via an app (and track the mug using Apple Find My as well).
Ember’s smaller metallic series mugs would look lovely sitting on any lawyer’s desk, in copper, silver or gold.
(For an even more thoughtful gift, pair a mug with a coffee subscription from a local roastery, like Chicago’s Intelligentsia or Nashville’s Frothy Monkey. If tea is their thing, opt for a tea sampler from Palais des Thés.)
‘Tis the season of self-preservation. A gift subscription to a mindfulness app like Headspace or Calm can provide lawyers with guided meditation sessions and relaxation techniques. (Here’s a breakdown of top-rated mindfulness apps and meditation apps to consider.) Modern Sprout’s mindful meditation gift set, “Seek Peace,” which includes a lavender grow kit with a bamboo pot, a five-minute mindfulness timer in the form of an hourglass, and a centering essential oil roller. Another choice: a “Shine Bright” kit for the lawyer in need of “radiant positivity,” complete with sunflower seeds for growing and an “awaken” face mist for spritzing after long nights.
The gift of laughter. Laughter — thigh-slapping, side-splitting, rollicking, hysterical laughter —helps you relax and reduces stress, so consider giving the gift of humor. Consider a subscription to The Onion, perhaps, along with a headline tee with a message like “History Sighs, Repeats Itself” or “Supreme Court Overturns ‘Right v. Wrong‘.”
Ultimate ‘Calm in the Chaos’ guide for lawyers. We’d be remiss not to mention one of the best tools out there for lawyers’ self-preservation: attorney and Attorney at Work columnist Jamie Spannhake’s bestselling book, “The Lawyer, the Lion, and the Laundry: Three Hours to Finding Calm in the Chaos.” Do your lawyer a favor and send them a copy (conveniently available in the Attorney at Work shop).
Here are a few more thoughtful gift ideas for the lawyer who wants to punch you in the mouth when you tell them to just “breathe.”
- A generous meal kit subscription. A customizable subscription with easy-to-make, healthy options is a great idea for busy lawyers.
- Aromatherapy Candles. Aromatherapy candles might seem uninspired, but luxe options like those from Diptyque or Jo Malone can soothe a lawyer’s psyche and promote relaxation. Besides, candles don’t have to be boring. For aromatherapy with attitude, Anecdote Candles‘ collections are your go-to gifts. From the Zen Master Collection (smells like clear minds and awakened spirits) to Grandpa’s Sweater (smells like old-world charm with a modern edge), these candles are perfect. We’ll take the holiday bundle, which includes Snow Day (smells like a change of plans and a cup of hot cocoa), for unwinding during the holidays.
- Massage Gift Certificates. Tense much? Regular massages can provide your lawyer with a much-needed break. Invite them to step away from the noise, relax and rejuvenate. Consider a gift certificate that covers multiple sessions.
Office Decor Gifts for the Lawyer’s Lair
Gifts for your lawyer’s away and home offices range from functional and beautiful to sentimental and silly. What lawyer couldn’t use a personalized nameplate desk set? This three-piece handcrafted gift includes a mahogany wood nameplate and pen holder, business card holder and, not to be missed, brass-plated scales of justice statue. If your lawyer’s taste runs to expensive globes, check out Analog Attorney’s latest gift guide.
Science says having living plants in your office is good for breathing and relaxation. If your lawyer’s office could use a little greenery, consider a Smart Landscape Grow Frame from Modern Sprout with grow lights built in (also in standard square size). It’s an easy way to brighten things up without a lot of fuss and bother. This gorgeous brass grow light planter is even easier — no need to install it on a wall.
Always welcome, a flower subscription like this one from Flowers for Dreams or a plant subscription from BloomsyBox is a thoughtful gift that offers a monthly (or quarterly) injection of greenness.
Another fun and functional wall art gift? This wall-mounted golf dartboard from Professor Puzzle combines two favorite activities and adds a touch more green to the office space.
Our Analog Attorney guide to practical and impractical home office accessories offers more gift ideas.
Gifts for the Pet-Loving Lawyer
Gift-giving for pet-loving lawyers can be a fun and thoughtful way to show you care. Pair a gift card for their favorite pet store with a calendar — you’ll find one for every breed, personality and mood — and a gift certificate for a pet portrait or pet Christmas tree ornament. This year, we’re recommending the “We Rate Dogs” wall or desk calendar from the makers of the viral “The Dogs Were Good (Again)” videos. Proceeds help cover medical costs for at-risk pups.
Ask around about local artists who do pet portraits, or turn to Etsy for artists who will create portraits of beloved pets in a wide variety of styles — posed in lavish costumes, transformed into colorful pop art, captured in watercolors, and memorialized on Christmas ornaments.
A Fountain Pen for the Win
An elegant fountain pen is the perfect lawyer gift to commemorate career achievements (promotions, law school graduation) and celebrate big wins. Fountain pens are not only elegant but also practical tools for managing a legal practice. Analog Attorney recommends several pens in his gift guides — from starter pens like the Pilot Metropolitan for under $40 to splurge-worthy collectibles. The Waterman Hemisphere or Waterman Hemisphere Deluxe is easy on the eyes and the pocketbook (under $100).
Book Gifts for Every Lawyer and Law Student on Your List
If you are on the hunt for books worth gifting, visit a local, independent bookstore. Books are not only great for legal professionals but also for law students looking to expand their knowledge and skills. (Note that links to Amazon are included here for convenience, but you can easily order the books on the list locally through bookshop.org.)
Books for Lawyer Philosophers
What are the principles of the physical world? What is justice? How can I be myself? And WTAF?
In “How to Be: Life Lessons From the Early Greeks,” Adam Nicolson manages to make the fundamental questions of the ancient philosophers new again. It is perfect for philosophy fanatics but also for anyone wrestling with life’s larger questions. And also law. One reviewer writes that “How to Be” is “like a net strung between the deep past and the present, a blueprint for a life well-lived.”
The Princeton University Press series Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers is a nice companion to “How to Be.” These pocket-sized books translate the timeless ideas of thinkers from the ancient world for modern times, with topics that range from the practical (How to Win an Argument: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Persuasion and How to Focus: A Monastic Guide for an Age of Distraction) to the topical (How to Stop a Conspiracy: An Ancient Guide to Saving a Republic and How to Think About War: An Ancient Guide to Foreign Policy).
Gifts for Lawyers Who Journal
A journal is more than a blank book; it’s a work-life power tool. And there are journals for every personality and every endeavor. Journals are also a great gift for law students.
For Hobonichi fans, check out our ultimate guide, here, and consider an accessory pack. The bronze ruler makes an adorable Secret Santa gift or stocking stuffer.
The Positive Planner is a great starting point for anyone looking to make journaling and mindfulness a regular practice. The bright yellow book has 300 pages for 12 weeks of semi-guided journaling, including illustrations, quotes and games to keep journalers inspired.
The Lawyer’s Marketing Journal, from. Attorney at Work columnist Teddy Snyer, is designed to help lawyers get in touch with their business development side. It is a beautiful gift for lawyers at every stage of their career — blending marketing to-dos and space for big ideas with motivational tools.
Thoughtful Gifts for Analog Attorneys
For more ideas, check out Analog Attorney’s gift guides for attorneys who analog, including this introduction to vintage fountain pens.
Illustration ©iStockPhoto.com
Disclosure: While we may receive a small affiliate fee for some of these links, commissions or fees earned from partners such as Amazon do not affect our recommendations. Thank you for supporting our sponsors and affiliates.
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