Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. It is a common phenomenon affecting lawyers and other high achievers, the OWLS Leadership committee encourages all to attend and to develop insights and strategies to identify and manage Imposter Syndrome.
Topics:
♦ Introduction to Imposter Syndrome
◊ Learning to Think Like a Non-Imposter
♦  Recognize and Celebrate Wins
◊ Creating a Buddy System and Next Steps

The series is facilitated by Tonkon Torp partner Parna Mehrbani, Career and Executive Coach Susanne Aronowitz, and Oregon Department of Justice lawyer Melissa Chureau.

Parna Mehrbani

Parna is a partner at Tonkon Torp LLP, with a practice focused on intellectual property, trademark registration and enforcement, and advising on and litigating trademark portfolios for local, national, and international companies at all stages of growth. She has particular expertise in the apparel, footwear, consumer products, food and beverage, cannabis, and education services industries.

Parna is Co-Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Information Privacy & Security Group, advising businesses on the management and security of personal data and the laws that regulate the collection, use, and protection of personal data. Parna is Past Chair of the OSB Professionalism Commission and Vice-Chair of the Leadership Council of Partners in Diversity..

Susanne Aronowitz

Susanne is a Senior Consultant with Naomi Beard & Associates, Inc., where she provides executive and outplacement coaching to attorneys at the nation’s leading law firms. In addition, she offers career coaching services directly to attorneys in a variety of professional settings to help them navigate career transitions and find deeper engagement in their work. She previously served as the Associate Dean for Law Career Services and Alumni Relations at Golden Gate University School of Law, where she also served as an adjunct professor and co-founder of the Law & Leadership Program.

Susanne earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, her law degree from UC Hastings, is a graduate of CoachU’s Core Essentials Program and holds an Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coach Federation. She currently serves on the Leadership Committee and Introvert Committee of the Oregon Women Lawyers.

Melissa Chureau

Melissa has been a practicing attorney since 2002, and a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the State of Oregon since 2012, currently serving in the General Counsel, Health and Human Services section for Oregon State Hospital and Oregon Health Authority. Previously, she served as AAG in the Medicaid Fraud Unit, prosecuting financial exploitation, and abuse and neglect cases. Melissa has been an avid mindfulness practitioner, which led her to the study of Imposter Syndrome in 2017. She has presented CLEs for Oregon Women Lawyers twice since then, focusing on identifying the syndrome and overcoming it with useful, pragmatic tools.

Melissa graduated from University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature in 1993, and received her law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School in 2002. She currently serves on the Leadership Committee of Oregon Women Lawyers, the Attorney General’s Health and Wellness Committee, and also serves as a Region 5 House of Delegates member.