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OnDemand Course

Imposter Syndrome in the Legal Profession

Learn ways to manage anxiety and keep imposter syndrome at bay in your practice and within your firm.

Many, if not most, attorneys suffer at one time or another from a form of anxiety known as imposter syndrome. This crippling self-doubt can cause young attorneys to self-sabotage their careers and put unnecessary limits on their potential. While some anxiety and self-doubt can drive us to be better lawyers, if unmanaged, it can also lead to more severe issues ranging from sleep disorders to eating disorders to substance use disorders. Attorneys suffering from imposter syndrome are also at greater risk of engaging in risky behavior and misconduct resulting from their insecurities. This presentation will discuss how the concept of imposter syndrome has evolved over the years and why attorneys seem so prone to suffering from it. This material will also outline the potential professional harm that can occur when attorneys are suffering from anxiety disorders. Finally, this presentation will suggest several ways to manage anxiety and keep imposter syndrome at bay in your practice and within your firm.

66 minutes
Course Exam
Certificate of Completion
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Why Lorman?

Over 37 years and 1.4 million customers worth of experience providing continuing education. Our passion is providing you world-class training to help you succeed in business and as a professional.

Agenda

Definition of Imposter Syndrome

  • History of the Term
  • How Has the Definition Evolved? To Whom Is It Commonly Applied? How Does It Differ From Other Manifestations of Anxiety?
  • Why Lawyers? Perfectionism, Type A Personalities, Serious Nature of Work, Performance Elements of Practice (Before Clients, Courts, and Juries)

Potential Positives

  • Anxiety Spurs Us to Be Better Lawyers
  • Encourages Us to Remain Humble and Appreciate the Immense Responsibility That Comes With a Law License
  • Encourages Us to Continue Learning in Our Profession

Potential Negatives

  • Can Lead to Serious Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Disorders, and Eating Disorders
  • Can Lead to Drinking and Substance Use to Manage the Fear and Anxiety
  • Can Lead to Incivility and Overaggressiveness as a Way of Compensating for Feelings of Insecurity

Potential Ethical Issues/Misconduct

  • Neglect of Client Matters
  • Criminal Consequences of Drinking/Substance Use
  • Incivility to Clients, Opponents, and Courts

Ways to Manage Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

  • Maintaining Perspective - You Are More Than Just a Lawyer
  • Making Sure That You Have a Community of Fellow Lawyers That You Feel Comfortable Sharing Fears With (at Least One Other Attorney)
  • Making Sure That You Have a Life Outside the Office
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Why Lorman?

Over 37 years and 1.4 million customers worth of experience providing continuing education. Our passion is providing you world-class training to help you succeed in business and as a professional.

Credits

OnDemand Course

Applications have not yet been submitted for Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wyoming CLE for this course. However, if you are interested in obtaining CLE for any of the listed states or have any additional credit questions please email us at [email protected] or call us at 866-352-9540.

This course was last revised on December 20, 2021.

Call 1-866-352-9540 for further credit information.

  • AR CLE 1.0
     
  • This course has been approved for 1.0 hours of CLE by the Arkansas CLE Board.
     
  • CA MCLE 1.0 including Wellness Competence 1
     
  • Lorman Business Center, LLC. is a State Bar of California approved MCLE sponsor and this course qualifies for 1.0 CLE hours of participatory credit, of which includes Wellness Competence for 1.00 hour.
     
  • NM CLE 1.1
     
  • This program has been approved by the New Mexico Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board for 1.1 hours of credit.
     
  • NV CLE 1.0 including Substance Abuse 1
     
  • This program has been approved by the Nevada Board of Continuing Legal Education for 1.0 CLE hours, including Substance Abuse for 1.00 hour.
     
  • NY CLE 1.0 including Areas of Professional Practice 1
     
  • This course has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York Continuing Legal Education Board for up to a maximum of 1.0 credit hours in the area(s) of Areas of Professional Practice for 1.00 hour. Each hour may be counted only as satisfying one category of credit. Duplicate credit for the same hour of instruction is not permitted. This course qualifies for both established and newly admitted attorneys. Lorman Business Center, LLC. has a financial hardship guideline. Please contact customer service at 1.866.352.9539 for instructions on how to apply.
     
  • OR CLE 1.0 including Mental Health/Substance Abuse 1
     
  • Approved for 1.0 CLE credits in Oregon.
     
  • VT CLE 1.0 including Attorney Wellness 1
     
  • This self-study program has been approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board of Vermont for 1.0 hour(s) of CLE credit including Attorney Wellness for 1.00 hour credit(s). Please note: Attorneys may only claim 12 credits per compliance period in this format. This course is considered "Non-Moderated Programming without Interactivity".
     
  • WA CLE 1.0 including Other 1
     
  • This program has been approved by the Washington State Board of Continuing Legal Education for 1.0 hour(s) of A/V credit, including 1.00 hour(s) of credit in the "Other" category.
     
The CLE Code is ONLY a requirement when applying for CLE Credit in New York. Other states do not need to supply the CLE Code to apply for CLE credit.

To earn each credit Lorman offers through the OnDemand learning platform, you need to watch 100% of the program. Also, for certain credits you will need to fulfill additional requirements which will be displayed on the "credits" tab when viewing the course.

This program does NOT qualify, nor meet the National Standard for NASBA accreditation.

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Why Lorman?

Over 37 years and 1.4 million customers worth of experience providing continuing education. Our passion is providing you world-class training to help you succeed in business and as a professional.

Faculty

Meredith S. Heller

Meredith S. Heller

Law Office of Meredith S. Heller PLLC

  • Principal, the Law Office of Meredith S. Heller PLLC
  • Practice emphasizes criminal defense and professional responsibility
  • Frequent speaker at CLEs on substance abuse and the profession, as well as professional ethics, generally
  • Member of NYS Bar Association’s Task Force on Lawyer Wellbeing (chair, Emotional Wellbeing Subcommittee)
  • Member of the New York City Bar Association (former chair, Professional Responsibility Committee; former chair, Lawyers Assistance Program Committee), New York State Bar Association (member of Professional Discipline Committee), New York Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, and Federal Bar Council
  • J.D. degree, Cardozo Law School; M.A. and B.A. degrees, Case Western Reserve University
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Why Lorman?

Over 37 years and 1.4 million customers worth of experience providing continuing education. Our passion is providing you world-class training to help you succeed in business and as a professional.

All of your training, right here at Lorman

All of your training, right here at Lorman.

Pay once and get a full year of unlimited training in any format, any time!

  • OnDemand Courses
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  • State Specific Credit Tracker
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Questions? Call 877-296-2169 to speak with a real person.

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Product ID: 409304
Published 2021
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