How introverted lawyers can harness their traits for success
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“Fake it till you make it.” For Heidi K. Brown, trying to mimic her extroverted peers in litigation always felt forced. She pushed through law school and nearly two decades of practice acting the outgoing attorney before accepting her quiet, thoughtful self. Brown wrote her book—The Introverted Lawyer: A Seven-Step Journey Toward Authentically Empowered Advocacy—with introverted, shy and socially anxious lawyers and law students in mind.
In this episode of the Modern Law Library, ABA Publishing’s Ashley Alfirevic speaks to Brown about honoring yourself, affirming what’s true and embracing the blush.
Instead of getting energized by a live-wire courtroom or dispute, introverted attorneys prefer to recharge—and often do their best work—in solitude. But when it comes time for the quiet counselors in the room to share their thoughts, mantras of “just do it” or “act as if” just aren’t going to cut it. Brown provides genuine, effective advice for reversing negative thought patterns, harnessing powerful body language and respecting your personal boundaries. She even has a few tips and tricks up her sleeve for those nervous about networking.
Podcast listeners can purchase The Introverted Lawyer through the ABA webstore. Listen to the podcast for an exclusive discount code.
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In This Podcast:
Heidi K. Brown
Heidi K. Brown, an associate professor of law and director of legal writing at Brooklyn Law School, was a lawyer in the construction industry for two decades. She is the author of The Introverted Lawyer: A Seven-Step Journey Toward Authentically Empowered Advocacy (ABA, 2017). She is a recurring columnist for the ABA Journal.
Updated on Jan. 16 to correct a misspelling.
