Finding the right gift for a lawyer doesn’t have to be a hassle. Sure, there’s always a time and place for gag gifts like a gavel-shaped stress toy or mugs with law-related jokes, but this is your chance to gift something that can actually enhance the way they practice law. 

We’ve compiled a list of the best, most useful gifts for lawyers and law practitioners. 

1) An Engraved Pen 

A beautiful, personalized pen can be the gift that keeps on giving. Many pen companies offer free or low-cost engraving services so you can make your gift as unique as possible. When it comes to choosing the right pen, know you have options. From the meticulously designed German LAMY pens to the high-end writing instruments from Montblanc and Tiffany, the gift options are nearly endless. 

LAMY 

LAMY pens are as iconic as they come, with the LAMY Safari being one of the most classic pen designs of all time. LAMY Safari pens are available in a wide variety of colors, including some limited-edition options that will brighten up any office. For just a touch of color, consider the LAMY Safari Multicolor Set. This gift set features either a black or white LAMY Safari pen along with six decorative rings that “correspond to the special colors of the LAMY Safari series.”  

If the LAMY Safari’s plastic body doesn’t live up to your quality standards, consider the LAMY AL-star. This lightweight pen, which features the same design as the Safari, is made entirely of aluminum. And yes, the LAMY AL-star also comes in many colors, including striking limited-edition colorways like aubergine, sage, and denim.  

LAMY pens range from $35 to $399, with engraving services costing $10 per writing instrument.  

Montblanc and Tiffany 

When it comes to high-end writing tools, Montblanc and Tiffany are the apex of quality, style, and beauty. They also carry some of the highest price tags, making them incredibly coveted. The $320 PIX Ballpoint Pen is the lowest-priced Montblanc pen, while the $315 Tiffany T is the most affordable Tiffany pen available.  

Montblanc offers complementary personalization services for all of their pens, with some offering engraving for the cap only while others allow you to choose between the cap or the clip. With a limit of 13 letters and three font choices, you can convert your Montblanc gift into a lifelong companion. 

Engraving services are not available for all Tiffany pens. The previously mentioned Tiffany T pen, for instance, cannot be personalized. The Diamond Point ballpoint pen from Tiffany ($695), on the other hand, can be engraved with three initials in your choice of one of seven fonts, including “Tiffany Notes”. 

Don’t Forget a Bottle of Ink!

If you decide on a fountain pen as a gift, consider including a bottle of ink. There are many inks available, ranging from common colors such as black and blue to more unique colors, such as Diamine’s dark red “Writer’s Blood” ink.

Make sure to find out what color ink your lawyer friend’s jurisdiction accepts. If they only accept filings with signatures in blue ink, include a bottle of blue. If blue and black are accepted, why not include two bottles of ink?

Some highly rated blue inks to consider include:

• Waterman Serenity Blue
• Diamine Oxford Blue
• Pilot Iroshizuku Kon Peki

2) A Name Plate

Another great personalized gift for lawyers is the classic name plate. Name plates may seem sterile and boring, but a cursory online search will bring up unique name plate material options such as acrylic, wood, and glass. You can always go for the classic metal name plate, but this is your chance to gift something unique and personal.

3) A Leather Portfolio, Padfolio, or Briefcase

The leather portfolio is one of the most quintessential lawyer accessories. Perhaps your lawyer friend or family member already has a leather portfolio, but it may be worn or falling apart. Even if they have a nice quality leather portfolio, they still make great gifts.

The difference between padfolios and portfolios comes down to size. Padfolios are somewhat smaller and can't carry as much, while portfolios tend to be large and often feature a zipper and more storage compartments. Their prices tend to be similar so it may be a matter of taste. If your lawyer friend prefers small, dainty things, don't buy them a giant portfolio, and vice versa.

The leather briefcase holds a similar degree of importance when it comes to lawyer-coded gifts.

They tend to be more expensive than portfolios, but they can be a great statement piece, especially if the lawyer you're gift shopping for happens to be your significant other or if they're a family member who recently entered the practice of law.

Many leather goods companies offer customization services as well so you can have their initials or even an inspirational quote engraved. But always remember, they very well may use this portfolio or briefcase for years to come; they'll take it with them to important meetings and court dates. If you decide to have anything engraved on the leather good, make sure it's something subtle and professional. Similar to pens, many leather goods can also be engraved and personalized, often for an additional fee. We’ve compiled leather goods to consider below. Also make sure to check local leather good shops for more unique options.

Leather Padfolios and Portfolios

• Leatherology Padfolio ($140)
• The Buffalo Billfold Company Leather Legal Pad Portfolio ($159.99—$179.99)
• Saddleback Leather Leather Portfolio ($199)

Leather Briefcases for Men and Women

• Buffalo Jackson Leather Briefcases ($319.95—$549.95)
• Satchel & Page 4 Way Briefcase ($400)
• Maxwell-Scott Small Leather Briefcase ($617)
• Maxwell-Scott Ladies Briefcases ($667—$1,242)

Please note, the prices listed above may change and may only be available during company-specific sales.

4) An e-Ink Tablet

Lawyers are constantly writing and taking notes. To make this process more enjoyable, consider an e-Ink tablet. These are great gifts for lawyers due to their convenience and usefulness.

Unlike regular tablets which have glossy screens like Apple iPads and Microsoft Surfaces, e-Ink tablets feature matte screens with a paper-like texture. e-Ink also looks like actual ink. As a result, they offer a more natural experience, while still providing the digital element we require in our modern age.

Here are some of the most popular e-Ink tablets on the market:

• BOOX Go 10.3 ($409.99)
• BOOX Note Max ($719.98)
• Supernote A6 X2 Nomad ($329.00)
• Kindle Scribe ($309.99)
• reMarkable 2 ($399)
• remarkable Paper Pro ($629)

Please note, the prices listed above may change and may only be available during company-specific sales.

5) A Refillable Notebook

Another great gift option that offers similar benefits without the price tag of e-Ink tablets is the reusable notebook. While e-Ink tablets are basically computers, reusable notebooks are a simple, streamlined solution for those who want to digitize their notetaking.

Take the Rocketbook ($30), for example. While it looks like a regular notebook, it only has 32 glossy pages. The magic of this notebook is its scannable pages. Users simply write notes as they normally would, take out their phone, use the Rocketbook app to snap a picture of the page, and convert handwritten notes to a word document!

6) A Lap Desk

Many attorneys work wherever and whenever they have the chance. Perhaps they're at home, sitting on the living room couch, or at the park on a bench.

While laptops make working on-the-go easier, they can make working for long periods quite uncomfortable, especially if the laptop is resting on your actual lap. This is where lap desks come into play.

As their name suggests, these excellent gifts for lawyers basically serve as a miniature desk for your lap. Some options, like this $35 lap desk from Amazon, even include a mousepad and a phone holder. By giving the gift of a lap desk, attorneys can turn any seat into their office!

In our modern age, digital subscriptions have become some of the most popular gift ideas. This is no different for lawyers and law practitioners. From website builders to legal billing tools and digital subscriptions to legal titles, let's look at the best digital gifts for lawyers to consider.

7) An Annual All-Access Online Subscription from Texas Bar Practice

The All-Access Online Subscription from Texas Bar Practice compiles eight of our most popular titles in one easy-to-access subscription.

The titles included are:

• Texas Foreclosure Manual
• Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charges
• Texas Probate System
• Texas Real Estate Forms Manual
• Texas Guardianship Manual
• Texas Family Law Practice Manual
• Texas Business Organizations Manual
• Texas Collections Manual

The online subscription includes forms for all the titles, and they are all easily accessible online via the Texas Bar Practice website. All you need is an internet connection! Even if your gift recipient only focuses on one or two practice areas, having all eight titles easily available can assist their legal career by allowing them to expand their practices.

With annual and monthly options, the All-Access Online Subscription is a must-have for associates and partners alike.

How to Use Your State Bar of Texas Member Benefits to Buy Yourself (Or Your Law Friends) Something Nice

Who said you couldn’t get yourself a gift this holiday season? As a State Bar of Texas member, you’re entitled to a wide range of excellent benefits, including discounts from Lenovo, Dell, and Brooks Brothers. This is your chance to update your office equipment with a new computer or take your professional attire to the next level for the new year.

Choose Gifts for Lawyers that Go Above and Beyond

When it comes to gifts for lawyers, it's necessary to choose something that will elevate the way they practice law. We're certain that any one of the ideas listed above will make a great gift for the lawyer in your life, especially since they serve a practical purpose while being fresh and unexpected. To learn more about what Texas Bar Practice has to offer, contact us today.