When you stop to think about it, Halloween is a curious holiday. It began as an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and a night when the spirits of the dead roamed the Earth. Centuries later, Christians transformed it into All Hallows’ Eve, a prelude to All Saints’ Day, which was devoted to honoring the holy. Fast forward to today, and those sacred rituals have morphed into children in Spider-Man costumes asking for candy from strangers. Yet it isn’t just kids who wear masks and costumes on Halloween. Adults, too, are invited to mask up and pretend to be someone they aren’t.

The sad truth is that many of us wear a variety of masks throughout the year. The Celts wore masks to ward off spirits. We wear them to ward off judgment or disapproval. This is especially true for lawyers. We are masters of mask wearing. We don the mask of competence when we feel overwhelmed, the mask of confidence when we feel like an impostor, and the mask of indifference when we actually care deeply. In a profession built on advocacy and persuasion, we learn early that showing too much of our authentic self might make us look weak, emotional, or, heaven forbid, human.

But the irony is that the most effective, respected lawyers are often the ones who learn how to take the mask off. Authenticity is not a liability. It is an asset. Clients don’t need people pleasers. They need real people who listen, empathize, and communicate with honesty. Judges respond better to advocates who are genuine. Colleagues trust those who can admit when they don’t have all the answers. Being authentic doesn’t mean being unfiltered or unprofessional. It means aligning who you are with how you practice. It’s the quiet confidence of knowing that integrity and sincerity are far more persuasive than pretense.

Of course, in our adversarial system, dropping the mask can feel risky. We’re trained to perform, to manage impressions, and to curate every word. Yet when we cling too tightly to those performances, we risk losing sight of ourselves and our moral compass. A lawyer who is disconnected from their own values cannot fully connect with their client’s and might risk ethical violations.

So, this Halloween, put on your mask, but be sure to take it off after the Halloween celebration has ended. Show up as the lawyer who advocates zealously but with humility. Be the one who says, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Represent your clients with empathy. And when you are struggling, do not be afraid to reach out for help or guidance.