January 8, 2025

Young Lawyer: “That Voice Inside Your Head Is Lying to You”

BY: Sharif L. Gray

Let me tell you a secret: that voice inside your head—the one whispering that you’re not enough—is lying to you.

You graduated from college. You made it through law school. You passed the bar exam.

Yes, there is always more to learn as a lawyer—there always will be. But don’t let that fact keep you from stepping into the arena. You have what it takes right now to make a meaningful difference in your clients’ lives.

The law, at its core, is a human profession. Jurors are humans. Judges are humans. And the sooner you accept that truth, the sooner you’ll realize that you don’t need 40 years of experience to make an impact.

I’m 35 years old. I’ve been a lawyer for almost 11 years, and I’ve tried more cases than most lawyers my age. I’ve experienced the high of winning big and the hollowness of losing. Yet to this day, before a trial, hearing, or deposition—I still hear that voice inside my head.

But here’s what I’ve learned: that fear is a gift. It’s proof that you care. And there’s nothing more powerful than a lawyer who genuinely cares about their client.

Gerry Spence once said:

Give me a frightened young woman standing with shaking knees before the jury, one who cares to the core for her client, one who will show who she is—honest, afraid, involved, and caring—and I’ll give you a lawyer who will win against the best heads and the quickest wits. . . . That woman is credible and the jury feels it and trusts her.

Effective lawyering is not about having the sharpest legal arguments or the most polished presentation. Jurors don’t connect with perfection; they connect with authenticity. They trust the lawyer who is willing to tell it like it is, and that starts by showing up as a human—vulnerable and unflinchingly honest.

So the next time that voice inside your head tries to tell you otherwise, remember this:

You are enough—not despite your fear, but because of it.

Step into the arena. Be human. Care deeply. And watch how far that takes you.

About the Author

Sharif Gray works as a trial lawyer at Broughton Injury Law, and he is a co-host of the RVA Trial Lawyers podcast. Sharif tried cases as a United States Army JAG Officer and as a Drug and Vice Prosecutor, served as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk, and now takes cases to trial as a personal injury lawyer. He has won millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. There is nothing more professionally exciting for Sharif than preparing for and going to trial. And there is no greater privilege for Sharif than getting results for his clients. Sharif can be reached at 804-613-3800 or at [email protected].