Confronting the Inner Critic: Managing Imposter Syndrome to Thrive in the Legal Community (from The Wellness Institute 2026)

A pre-recorded streaming VIDEO replay of one session from the May 2026 live seminar, The Wellness Institute.

Have you ever questioned your competence, felt like a fraud, doubted your accomplishments, or wondered how you made it this far in your career? If so, you are not alone. Imposter syndrome is a widespread issue among attorneys, judges, and legal professionals—distorting thoughts, undermining confidence, impacting professional performance, and leading to burnout and additional mental health issues. The legal profession is uniquely susceptible to imposter syndrome due to many occupational risks, including the adversarial nature of the work, the need to display confidence and conceal vulnerability, individual work, high-stakes work, perfectionist culture, and the constant pressure to meet expectations. Lawyers are trained to spot flaws and anticipate challenges—skills essential for legal success but ones that can fuel self-doubt and perfectionism further contributing to imposter thoughts. 

Faculty

Hetal Challa, Wellness Coordinator, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia
Barbara Mardigian, Clinical Director, VJLAP
Charlene Reilly, Assistant Director and Education and Outreach Manager, VJLAP