ALABAMA
Jeanne Marie Leslie (jeannemarie.leslie@alabar.org), executive director, Alabama Lawyers Helping Lawyers.
ALASKA
Deborah O’Regan (oregan@alaskabar.org), executive director, Alaska Bar Association.
ARIZONA
Hal M. Nevitt (hal.nevitt@staff.azbar.org), director, Arizona’s lawyer assistance program.
ARKANSAS
Sarah Cearley (sarah@arjlap.org), director of client services, Arkansas Lawyers Assistance Program.
CALIFORNIA
Richard Carlton (richard.carlton@calbar.ca.gov), deputy director of the state bar’s lawyer assistance program. Robert Resner (resner2100@comcast.net), consultant coordinator of The Other Bar, [...]
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Why would someone call a state’s lawyer assistance program?
Because lawyers are human, humans have problems, and lawyers have clients. And lawyers with problems can create problems for their clients, and get into a lot of trouble with their state bar. That’s why lawyer assistance programs (LAPs) exist: to prevent or mitigate damage to lawyers’ lives, [...]
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Yes, in most states and under most circumstances.
Regulation of exceptions to confidentiality is a state matter, and differences between programs may exist. For example, in Washington State, lawyer/clients enjoy the same degree of confidentiality and privilege as do clients of private mental health providers. Exceptions to confidentiality may arise in any therapist-client relationship, LAP-related [...]
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It depends on where you live, and the size of your state bar LAP.
Small programs may have just one person with a desk and a telephone line, but that person is likely a lawyer or mental health professional who can offer reassurance, information, and referrals to mental health professionals or substance abuse treatment facilities. [...]
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Let’s face it, working in a law office is stressful for everybody, especially if your employees perceive you as part of the problem.
The best thing you can do to help your employees be functional and productive is to be functional and productive yourself. So, before you run off trying to fix staff members who [...]
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Most LAPs are equipped to reach out to lawyers who won’t ask for help themselves but need it. The earlier someone receives help for any problem, the better.
Many LAPs emphasize prevention and, like most of us, prefer to act before situations fall to pieces or become truly desperate. Certain LAPs have well-organized programs to [...]
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A LAP may or may not offer direct assistance to family members. Most probably do not, but it is likely that your LAP at least can refer you to someone in your community who does.
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All LAP services are voluntary. We do not drag lawyers over our threshold and force them to submit to treatment. This is in keeping with the philosophy of 12-Step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, that emphasize the need for individuals not only to come to terms with their behavior but also to accept responsibility for [...]
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