Lawyer and Judges Assistance Program - 1.800.255.0569

  • Events
    • Western New York Regional LAC Meeting

      August 11, 2017

      Buffalo Seminary

      205 Bidwell Parkway

      Buffalo, NY


    • November 2017 LAC Meeting

      Lawyer Assistance Committee Meeting

      Friday, November 3, 2017

      University Club, Albany, NY

    • 2017 LAP Volunteer Dinner

      SAVE THE DATE LAP Volunteer Recognition Dinner Thursday, November 2, 2017 Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY

    • 2018 LAP Spring Retreat


      SAVE THE DATE, LAP Spring Retreat. May 18-21, 2018, Silver Bay (Lake George, NY)


    • ABA CoLAP National Workshop

      October 17 - 19, 2017

                  Kansas City, MO


  • Help Available

    Banner

    or lap@nysba.org (confidential e-mail) 

    Susan M. Klemme,  LAP Director

    Lisa M. Yaeger, Esq., LAC Chair  


    STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

    The New York State Bar Association Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) provides education and confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, law school students, and immediate family members who are affected by the problem of substance abuse, stress, depression or other mental health issues.  Its goal is to assist in the prevention, early identification and intervention of problems that can affect professional conduct and quality of life.

    CONFIDENTIALITY

    All LAP services are confidential and protected under  Section 499 of the Judiciary Law as amended by Chapter 327 of the Laws of 1993.

    LAP SERVICES are confidential, voluntary, free and include:  

    • Early identification of impairment;
    • intervention and motivation of impaired attorneys to seek help;
    • assessment, evaluation and development of an appropriate treatment plan;
    • referral of impaired attorneys to community resources, self-help groups, outpatient counseling, detoxification and rehabilitation services;
    • information and referral for depression;
    • and training programs on alcoholism, drug abuse and stress management.

    NYSBA Lawyer Assistance Resources Available Online! 

    Click here to view the eLAP Website 

    EUGENE BRANNIGAN, ESQ. RECEIVES FRANKLIN P. GAVIN MEMORIAL AWARD

    Eugene Brannigan, Esq. is the recipient of the 2017 Franklin P. Gavin Memorial Award, presented by NYSBA’s Lawyer Assistance Committee.
    The annual award recognizes an individual who has contributed to assisting lawyers in recovery.   

    RICHARD REID, ESQ. RECEIVES RAYMOND P. O'KEEFE MEMORIAL AWARD

    Richard Reid, Esq. was awarded the 2017 Raymond P. O'Keefe Memorial Award (posthumously).


    MODEL POLICY ADDRESSING IMPAIRMENT 

    On April 10, 2010 the New York State Bar Association's  House of Delegates and Executive Committee approved a Model Policy to assist bar associations, law firms and other legal departments in addressing impairment issues. 

    LAC Model Policy     
    NYSBA Resolution   

  • Committees
    Lawyer Assistance Committee
    The Lawyer Assistance Committee (LAC) is charged with the duty, in collaboration with the New York Bar Association Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP), of assisting attorneys, judges and law students dealing with alcoholism or substance abuse and other addictive disorders.

    Judicial Wellness Committee
    The Judicial Wellness Committee seeks to foster a sense of community and care among the New York State Judiciary and to provide confidential assistance to impaired judges.