Lawyers Assistance Programs
Lawyers Assistance Programs provide services to legal professionals, law students, and their families.
Every professional faces a unique set of challenges, outcomes and difficulties. Lawyers are no different. There are many organizations and committees that attempt to promote lawyers’ well-being and are primarily available to help those in need. Because the legal profession includes strict ethical guidelines to protect clients and the public, you may be concerned about seeking help. Confidentiality and personal interaction are the key components of Lawyers Assistance Programs. Because the assistance they provide is confidential, lawyers and judges can obtain critical help without fear of harm to their professional status or other repercussions, and so will not be deterred from seeking help when they find themselves in trouble. These important programs are available in every jurisdiction.
American Bar Association: CoLAP
The ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs has the mandate to educate the legal profession concerning alcoholism, chemical dependencies, stress, depression and other emotional health issues, and assist and support all bar associations and lawyer assistance programs in developing and maintaining methods of providing effective solutions for recovery.
For details on the Commission’s activities, view its Informational Report to the House of Delegates. See the rosters for a list of Commission Members, Advisory Commission members, and Committees. Read a Message From the Chair.
Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program
On January 7, 1999, the Tennessee Supreme Court adopted Rule 33 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee establishing a state wide Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program (“TLAP”). A commission was formed to carry out the purposes of TLAP, and each lawyer in the state of Tennessee is assessed a fee to fund the program. A fulltime director was hired in August, 1999, a full time assistant director in March, 2001, and a Program Director in April, 2004.
When you call TLAP, you can be sure that complete confidentiality will be maintained. The Tennessee Supreme Court has established TLAP as an approved impaired lawyers program pursuant to a Rule 33 of the Rules of The Supreme Court of Tennessee. By virtue of said rule, all communications with TLAP are confidential and members of TLAP are relieved of their duty to report ethical violations discovered as a result of their TLAP work. This means that any misconduct or ethical violation discovered or revealed to a member of TLAP will not be reported to any disciplinary board. Additionally, communications with TLAP are confidential and priviledged by virtue of T.C.A. Sec. 23-4-101, et seq.
At Vanderbilt University Law School, you might see TLAP at a Main Street/Commons table during Wellness Week, or at regularly scheduled programs sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs and/or the Vanderbilt Student Health & Wellness Association (VSHWA) student organization.
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