Lawyer Assistance Program - Helping Lawyers Around the Country from New York State Bar Association on Vimeo.

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

Thomas E. Schimmerling, Esq., LAC Chair  

Hon. Jonah Triebwasser, JWC Chair

LAP brochure

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.

Establishing a LAWYERS HELPING LAWYERS committee

Click HERE to learn more about establishing a Lawyers Helping Lawyers committee in your local area.

AWARDS 

TIMOTHY D. FOLEY, ESQ. RECEIVES FRANKLIN P. GAVIN MEMORIAL AWARD

Tim Foley from Old Forge, NY is the recipient of the 2018 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.   

JOHN KEEGAN, Sr. RECEIVES RAYMOND P. O'KEEFE MEMORIAL AWARD

Jack Keegan, Esq. was awarded the 2018 Raymond P. O'Keefe Memorial Award (posthumously).

MODEL POLICY ADDRESSING IMPAIRMENT ISSUES

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   

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.