Imposter syndrome is a common challenge among high-achievers in the legal field, marked by self-doubt and difficulty in accepting one's accomplishments. To support legal professionals, the State Bar’s Council on Access and Fairness (COAF) has developed a comprehensive toolbox of resources. This page aims to guide attorneys, law students, and employers through understanding and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Watch the video below featuring Ryan Harrison, Sr., former Chair of COAF, as he shares his own experiences with imposter syndrome as an attorney.
Imposter syndrome can bring on a range of thoughts, feelings, and emotions - all of which can present themselves as a challenge to address. The goal of this resource is to help guide individuals through the limiting thoughts manifested by imposter syndrome by creating a new framework of thought. Confronting imposter syndrome can be a taxing endeavor. When completing this worksheet or other resources like it, law students and attorneys are encouraged to carefully evaluate and acknowledge your own capacity to begin the effort. If upon reflecting you find that you do not have the capacity to address your imposter syndrome, do seek to prioritize your well-being before starting the worksheet.
Download the Imposter Syndrome Worksheet: Making the Case for Yourself.
This worksheet is adapted from the Imposter Syndrome: Tools and Resources, created by Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS), a bar association.
The following resources are not published by the State Bar of California. Purchase of a subscription may be required.
Information on imposter syndrome:
Resources for attorneys
Resources for employers
Resources for law students