Why I abhor the figure of speech “beauty parade”

I despise that term because of its sexist connotations. It conjures up old-fashioned and harmful images of Miss Americas on boardwalks. I dislike the term because it trivializes the process law departments should use to select firms, a process that deserves thoughtfulness and facts, open-mindedness and objectivity.

The term is pejorative and dismissive because it leaves the impression that law departments base their choice of firms on cosmetic factors rather than merit, competency, and experience. It’s an ugly phrase.