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“I Don’t Belong”: Imposter Syndrome in the Legal Profession

'What am I doing here? I don’t belong.'

'I’m a total fraud and, sooner or later, everyone’s going to find out.'

Imposter syndrome, also called perceived fraudulence, involves feelings of self-doubt and personal incompetence that persist despite your education, experience, and accomplishments. While early studies focused on highly successful women, it is now clear that it can affect anyone in the legal profession – from law students to Big Law executives.

Living in constant fear of discovery, you strive for perfection in everything you do. You might feel guilty or worthless when you can’t achieve it, not to mention burned out and overwhelmed by your continued efforts. The results can be devastating.

True imposter feelings involve self-doubt, uncertainty about your talents and abilities. But what if you find yourself in an environment where your peers fail to make room for you or imply you don’t deserve your success? Along with the more traditional factors, gender bias and institutionalized racism can also play a significant part in imposter feelings. Even if only perceived, they can surely reinforce the feeling you don’t belong.

Hear our experienced speaker discuss the impact of the untimely death of his mentor and how trying to 'fill his shoes' became more than a job, it took over his life. The consequences were a decades long effort to cope with and then conceal those feelings with alcohol and drugs.

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: December 1, 2025 11:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Introduction

Brian S. Quinn is introduced as the speaker, focusing on imposter syndrome in the legal profession. Brian discusses the role of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, a program supporting legal professionals with addiction and mental health issues. He encourages consulting local lawyer assistance programs for available services. Brian discusses the prevalence of mental health issues among lawyers, citing statistics on depression and alcohol abuse.

10:24 Overview of Imposter Syndrome

Brian introduces imposter syndrome, describing it as a common issue among high achievers who doubt their success. Imposter syndrome affects many successful individuals, including well-known figures like Michelle Obama and Einstein. He notes that imposter syndrome is not a medical condition but a phenomenon influenced by social and cultural factors. Brian emphasizes the role of stereotypes in shaping imposter feelings, particularly for women and minorities. He highlights the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within the legal profession and the impact of bias and discrimination.

24:00 Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome

Brian discusses the connection between perfectionism and imposter syndrome. He describes different types of individuals who struggle with imposter syndrome, such as perfectionists and natural geniuses. Perfectionism can lead to procrastination or over-preparation, affecting work-life balance and mental health. Brian distinguishes between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, emphasizing the importance of realistic standards. He warns against the negative effects of maladaptive perfectionism, linking it to stress, anxiety, and burnout.

35:46 Personal Story and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Brian shares his personal story of experiencing trauma-centered imposter syndrome after taking over a law practice. He describes the intense fear and anxiety he felt, leading to self-medication with alcohol and drugs. Brian emphasizes the importance of acknowledging struggles and seeking help to overcome feelings of inadequacy. He reflects on how imposter syndrome affected his life and career. Brian highlights the need for more attention to trauma-centered imposter syndrome and its impact on self-perception.

49:07 Addressing Imposter Syndrome and Seeking Help

Brian discusses the importance of addressing imposter syndrome and seeking help to prevent burnout and distress. He emphasizes the need for senior attorneys to share their experiences with self-doubt to normalize imposter syndrome. He encourages creating a supportive culture where attorneys feel safe sharing their struggles and seeking support. He highlights the role of lawyer assistance programs in providing support and resources for those struggling with imposter syndrome. Brian shares his journey of recovery and resilience, stressing the importance of breaking the silence and seeking help.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker

Brian S. Quinn Education and Outreach Coordinator
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania

Brian S. Quinn, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Wellness Competence

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 Ethics/Professionalism

Earn Credit Until: October 23, 2026

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Professional Well-Being

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: November 30, 2026

This presentation is approved for one hour of Wellness Competence CLE credit in California, and one hour of Professional Well-Being CLE credit in North Carolina. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. Of these, 1.20 qualify as total hours of credit for Ethics/Professionalism. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours, of which 1.00 credit hours will apply to Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit.

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