Imposter Syndrome in the Legal World: What If It’s Not The Truth?
Imposter syndrome can be surprisingly loud — even in some of the quietest rooms.
This week, I’ve been reflecting on how frequently self-doubt shows up in the legal profession — not just among young lawyers, but in the minds of law clerks, judges, and seasoned litigators alike.
As attorney and coach Lawrence D. Eichen, Esq. shared on my podcast this week, imposter syndrome can shape not only our thoughts, but our behaviors:
“You start believing these thoughts — ‘I have to be perfect,’ ‘I better not make a mistake’ — and before you know it, you're acting as if they're true. And even when you ‘pull it off,’ the belief that you're an imposter only gets stronger. Because you think: ‘I faked everyone out again.’”
It’s a mental loop that can be exhausting — and it’s one many in the legal world carry silently.
But what if we didn’t have to?
🌀 A More Mindful Approach to Imposter Syndrome
Mindfulness doesn’t stop the thoughts from coming. It helps us see them clearly — without believing everything they say.
One of the practices I share in mindfulness programs is the “riverbank” analogy:
It’s like you’re on a river bank watching this river of thoughts go by. Maybe it’s a raging river, or maybe it’s more like a babbling brook, with thoughts smooth coasting. Just staying curious of the thinking process. And when you find that you’ve gotten caught in the current or content of thoughts, you can gently come back and simply observe the flow of thinking - noticing thoughts as separate elements that come and go in the field of awareness.
This small shift — from being in the current to sitting on the bank oberserving — can create enough space to realize:
That voice of doubt? It’s not the truth. It’s just a thought. And you don’t have to live from it.
💡 Three Mindful Reminders for Anyone Struggling with Imposter Syndrome:
You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome is incredibly common — especially among high-achieving professionals. There’s no shame in it.
The thoughts are real, but they’re not necessarily true. You can notice them, name them, and still act from a place of grounded confidence.
Mindfulness can help you reclaim your narrative. It won’t erase the pressure, but it can change how you meet it — with clarity, steadiness, and self-trust.
🌱 Supporting Future Legal Professionals
If you're a judge working with law clerks or part of a firm hosting summer associates, now is the perfect time to invest in their well-being.
This summer, I’m offering a 4-week virtual mindfulness program designed for early-career legal professionals. It provides real tools — for stress,
confidence, and connection — in a supportive community of peers.
📩 If you'd like to learn more or bring the program to your team, feel free to reach out to me.
Together, we can help the next generation of legal minds meet their inner critic with clarity, not fear — and choose confidence over doubt.
🎧 Want to Hear More?
This week’s conversation on the Conscious Corner Podcast with Courtney dives deeper into imposter syndrome in the legal profession — with special guest Lawrence D. Eichen, Esq., an attorney, speaker, and certified coach who helps high-achievers break free from limiting thought patterns.
We explore how imposter syndrome takes hold, how it affects behavior, and the simple but powerful mindset shifts that can begin to change the narrative.
🎙️ Listen on Spotify or 📽️ Watch on YouTube!
Whether you’re a judge, a law clerk, or a lawyer at any stage in your career — this episode is a powerful reminder: you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.
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