The Wellness Institute 2026

Keynote CLE — Shalom: How Wholeness Leads to Wellness

The Honorable William C. Mims, Senior Justice, Supreme Court of Virginia, Former Chair of the Court’s Lawyers’ Wellness Initiative

Shalom is a beautiful word. It is an expression of peace. Yet its Hebrew roots go deeper than that. To experience shalom is to experience wholeness; to flourish. Philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff describes shalom as “the state of flourishing in all dimensions of one’s existence.”

Wellness also is often described as “dimensions.” Six are often named: physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, social and intellectual. They have been described as “a holistic framework for achieving a balanced, high-quality life.”

Do you notice a slight variation between the two constructs? Shalom is described as “flourishing” and “wellness” as “achieving.” This talk will invite us to envision wholeness by setting “achieving” aside as we retreat from our daily routines and returning to our “why” — why did we want to become lawyers in the first place? And then those memories may help us to flourish in this noble profession to which we have been called.

Panel 1 — Confronting the Inner Critic: Managing Imposter Syndrome to Thrive in the Legal Community

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

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. 

Panel 2 — Doing Good to Feel Good: Well-being through Pro Bono

Hon. Manuel A. Capsalis, Judge, Fairfax County Circuit Court
Crista Gantz, Director of Pro Bono/Access to Legal Services, Virginia State Bar
Hon. Dipti Pidikiti-Smith, Judge, Fairfax County Circuit Court
Scott Reid, Trial Attorney, Defense Contract Management Agency

Attorneys face high levels of stress and burnout, yet many who engage in pro bono work report greater fulfillment and wellbeing. This one‑hour CLE explores how purpose‑driven service can counter burnout, strengthen professional identity, and support emotional, social, and occupational wellness. The program also reviews the ethical framework encouraging pro bono participation and offers practical strategies for integrating service sustainably across practice settings.  

Panel 3 — Designing a Work Culture that Supports Attorneys

Jennifer Ligon, Partner, Williams Mullen
Sophie C. Mohrmann, Director of Attorney Development and Engagement, Williams Mullen
Jesse Gordon, Partner, Reaves GovCon Group
Professor Christopher Corts, Visiting Professor of Legal Research and Writing, University of Virginia School of Law

This session will explore key challenges impacting attorney wellbeing—from heavy workloads and burnout to barriers in seeking support. Panelists will discuss how law firms are reshaping workplace culture to promote healthier, more sustainable careers. The session will also examine how law schools are integrating wellness into professional development to better prepare students for the realities of legal practice.

Elective Session 1 

Elective Session 2