You live in a world of constant deadlines, shifting priorities, and unclear expectations––and that’s before you get to the office.

You are asked to deliver work that is both fast and flawless. On any given day, you are expected to anticipate needs, spot risks, and think 20 steps ahead. You hold yourself to a high internal standard, often higher than the expectations around you. And by design, your work is constantly subject to review.

In a role shaped by pressure and precision, where hierarchy is strong, it is no surprise that imposter thoughts can emerge, even for experienced paralegals.

In fact, roughly 80% of high-achieving professionals wrestle with imposter thoughts, the persistent belief that their success is undeserved or overblown. As common as it is, “imposter syndrome” is often misunderstood.

It is not a diagnosis or a personal flaw or a disorder. It is a thinking trap: a gap between your actual competence and the story your mind tells you about it. Basically, your thinking took a wrong turn. And in this workshop, we will talk about why that happens, when it happens, and what to do about it.

Left unchecked, imposter thoughts can distort how you judge your performance and possibilities, fueling unhealthy perfectionism, overwork, self-doubt, burnout, or reluctance to seek support. These patterns create unnecessary stress, stall professional and personal growth, and ripple into decision-making and relationships with colleagues, clients, and the attorneys you support.

This session reframes “imposter syndrome” in practical, evidence-based terms. You will learn how to recognize your thinking traps in real time, interrupt unhelpful patterns, strengthen your communication with attorneys, clients, and colleagues, and make decisions grounded in reality rather than self-doubt.

This session is designed to help you feel better in the moment and reduce the risk of spiraling into imposter thinking going forward. You will start to build greater self-compassion, connection to like-minded colleagues, and realize how common imposter thinking is, helping you feel less alone.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1.  Identify and differentiate common imposter “types” and recognize how they shape confidence, communication, and day-to-day decision-making in paralegal work.

2.  Reframe imposter thoughts as cognitive biases rather than personal flaws, using practical, evidence-based techniques to spot their own thinking traps.

3.  Work with greater insight by applying practical strategies to support colleagues or team members who may experience imposter thoughts or low confidence, strengthening collaboration and overall team dynamics.