To enhance the quality of life of those working in the legal community by delivering education and assistance on mental/emotional,drug, alcohol, family, health and other personal and/or health problems. Together, The Maryland State Bar Association, The Lawyer Assistance Committee and the LAP Staff are committed in developing and maintaining effective problem solving for the individual and to create a workplace atmosphere that encourages profession growth and excellence.

On the other hand, you may think you can practice law successfully if you have these problems, but statistics prove otherwise: a large percentage of all lawyer discipline cases involves alcohol and/or drug addiction, with mental health problems accounting for a significant percentage of the remainder.

In fact, The MSBA'S Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) was created to address these concerns. The Lawyer Assistance Program is a member service of the Maryland State Bar which provides information and confidential, meaningful assistance to judges, lawyers, law students and their families.

Because of the sensitive nature of addiction and psychological problems, lawyers who may be in need of help are often very reluctant to seek that assistance. Recognizing this concern and in order to foster early and confidential contact with the MSBA'S Lawyer Assistance Program, the program is recognized by the Maryland Court of Appeals:

The Lawyer Assistance Program (f/k/a: Lawyer Counseling Committee) "…means a group of individuals that: (I) is recognized by the Court of Appeals; (II) is a standing committee of the Maryland State Bar Association, or of a local bar association; (iii) consists of lawyers and other individuals necessary to carry out the function of the committee; and (iv) evaluates and helps a lawyer in need of treatment and rehabilitation for: l. Substance abuse; or 2. Any other physical, emotional or mental condition that adversely affects the ability of the lawyer to practice law in accordance with the rules adopted by the Court of Appeals. " The Maryland Annotated Code, Business Occupations and Professions", Sec. 10-502 (a) Definitions.

Furthermore, and in addition to the trained staff, the backbone of the Lawyer Assistance Program is a network of over 300 attorneys who have volunteered their time and services to help a lawyer in need.

These volunteers stand ready to assist the trained office staff of the Lawyer Assistance Program, the Director and the Program Administrator/Assistant Director, to assist their peers in all areas of their recovery. The new Chair of the Committee is Charles E. Kountz, Esquire who has been a practicing attorney for more than 30 years.

Among the services, which LAP can offer to an impaired judge, lawyer, law student or support person is:

• Assessment and Referral: A trained member of the LAP staff will meet with the attorney either at the LAP office (Maryland Bar Center, 520 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland) or off-site, to evaluate the problem and recommend available treatment and rehabilitation options.
• Interventions: In appropriate situations, a member of the staff and/or committee will plan, rehearse, and facilitate a formal intervention to assist an impaired attorney.
• Peer Support Network: The attorney in need of assistance will be paired with a lawyer in their area as their mentor and to help them deal with the rehabilitation.
• Attorney Support Meetings: LAP sponsors weekly and monthly meetings where attorneys help each other deal with the problems and stresses of practicing law.
• Education and Prevention: LAP works with law firms, the courts, local Bar's and schools to educate members of those entities concerning attorney impairment and recovery. In addition, LAP makes regular presentations at the law schools through the state regarding stress management, anger management, addiction, etc.
• Structured Rehabilitation Program: In cases involving attorney discipline or admissions problems, LAP will implement a structured rehabilitation program which can document an attorney's or law student's recovery. The Attorney Grievance Commission and/or the Board of Law Examiners will often consider such evidence of recovery when determining discipline or recommendations for admission.

Perhaps most importantly you sitting in your office reading this issue of the Maryland Bar Bulletin will be more willing to pick up the phone and call the MSBA'S Lawyer Assistance Program ( (410) 685-3993 or (410)-685-7878 or 1-800-492-1964 and ask for Ex. 251 (Richard Vincent) or 252 (Carol P. Waldhauser) if you are concerned about yourself or another lawyer (judge, law student or staff person).

Remember, Maryland lawyers, judges law students and staff don't have to face their problems alone. Moreover, each call serves to chip away at the stigma associated with these diseases that often works to keep lawyers sick and isolated from support and assistance. For more information call Carol P. Waldhauser, Program Administrator, (410) 685-7878 Ex. 252 or email her at cwaldhauser@msba.org, plus visit our WEB PAGE at www.msba.org, click on "departments" then click on "Lawyer Assistance Program"