Welcome to Gonzales Watch - Blawging the Ex-Attorney General

For attorneys and law students aspiring to work at the Department of Justice, here is some career advice: the transformation of Monica Goodling’s hairdo from her law school days to her testimony yesterday before the House Judiciary Committee is worth studying.

This could be even more valuable than any bar exam prep course you’ll ever take.

Goodling’s Regent University hairdo is evidence of a carefree coif (inset, top). Note the disshelved appearance that could signify pulling an all-nighter to study for a Constitutional Law class. This hairdo is a living example of the style that can be worn by law students who aspire to graduate in the “top 10.5 percent” of their class.

Next, there is the grunge-like ‘do’ that Goodling dispalyed in her squeeze photo with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove (inset, middle). This style has quite a bit of shine and sheen. What’s unclear, however, is whether it was achieved using professional hair-styling products, or solely from the effects of having a very public moment with Karl Rove.

Finally, there is the Madison Avenue and K Street style (inset, bottom) worn by Goodling at her testimony yesterday before the House Judiciary Committee. This professionally styled coif must have taken considerable time and cost a small fortune. Was it more expensive than the hourly rate of the “three high-priced lawyers” from her legal team at yesterday’s hearing? Litigators: argue the merits of your answer to this important legal question!

When you worked for the country’s most important lawyer, made the front page on a regular basis, and received limited immunity to testify, isn’t it worth it to look your best? The hours it must have taken to wash, comb, and style her latest hairdo probably required Goodling to get up in the wee hours of the morning to meet with her salon team.

It’s a look that says: “I have arrived.” Even as your legal career is spiraling downward from those carefree law school days.