Claire E. Parsons made equity partner at her first firm, yet found herself paralyzed by a lifetime of fear and perfectionism. Then postpartum depression forced her to try something radical: one minute of daily meditation. That single minute grew into a 30-minute practice that didn't just change her mental health—it transformed her entire career trajectory. In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, host David Schnurman explores how Claire evolved from a civil rights attorney afraid to speak about her meditation practice to a mindfulness teacher with over ten speaking engagements scheduled for Q4 alone. Now Of Counsel at Bricker Graydon, Claire represents school districts in high-conflict special education disputes while teaching meditation and wellness courses on Lawline. Claire's journey reveals a counterintuitive truth: she didn't overcome fear by eliminating it, but by accepting it. As an introvert who loves teaching but hates networking events, she discovered that authentic expertise creates its own opportunities. Her approach to combining ancient mindfulness practices with modern legal challenges offers a blueprint for attorneys navigating emotionally charged cases. Whether dealing with angry parents in special education disputes or difficult opposing counsel, Claire demonstrates how seeing adversaries as human beings rather than enemies can actually make you a more effective advocate. This conversation offers practical strategies for legal professionals struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, and the fear of putting themselves out there—while showing how wellness practices can become both a personal refuge and a professional differentiator in an increasingly divided world.
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