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Health & Wellness
We envision a membership in which every lawyer of the MSBA is provided with the support and education needed to achieve optimal overall health and wellness. Our overarching goal is to enhance health and wellness so lawyers can better serve themselves, as well as others within their personal and professional lives.
The MSBA Lawyer Assistance Program has helped thousands of Maryland lawyers.
Lawyers, like anyone else, face stress, burn out, and depression. Too often, they don’t have anywhere to turn before the problem gets worse, and a career and life are lost to substance abuse, mental health, or other personal problems. The Lawyer Assistance Program is available to all lawyers in Maryland and provides free, confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, and law school students by offering virtual or in-person assessment, referral, short-term counseling, and continued support to ensure long term success. We offer a network of counselors that can assist you no matter what state you are living in. Contact us for more information.
Lisa Caplan, LCSW-C, Director | 443-703-3042 | lisa@msba.org
Financial Assistance Available
The Lawyer Assistance Program offers financial assistance for Mental Health and Substance Abuse treatment.
Referring to the Lawyer Assistance Program
If you are concerned about another lawyer, you can make an anonymous referral to the Lawyer Assistance Program.
Save someone’s life. Take the time to watch a very powerful video created by the Texas Lawyer Assistance Program for the Legal Profession to help prevent lawyer suicide and understand depression.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, view emergency resources here.
MSBA members have access to programs to support physical health and help them be their best. We provide workshops and training on topics that every lawyer can benefit from.
Members have instant access to these services through our member publications, digital correspondence, and online.
We have experience with issues including:
Contact us for help at our 24/7 confidential, toll-free line: 1-888-388-5459
12 Step AA Meeting
Thursday from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Maryland Bar Center
520 West Fayette Street
Technical skills are not enough. Success in the legal profession requires a healthy relationship between you and your work. MSBA promotes wellness initiatives designed to boost your productivity and well-being.
The MSBA Health & Wellness Portal provides members with articles, videos, and other resources to help you succeed in your work and your life. We regularly update the Health & Wellness Portal to bring members the most up-to-date information on physical, emotional, and professional health issues.
We collaborate with schools, public officials, and private firms & practices to promote wellness and balance across the legal profession.
Law Schools
Office of the Attorney General
MSBA Sections & Committees
Pro Bono Resource Center
Office of the Public Defender
Local & Specialty Bars
Reach out to any of the LAP committee members below for assistance.
| Carol Ghingher Cooper | cgc1220@comcast.net | 410-491-1042 |
| David C.M. Ledyard | david@ledyardlaw.com |
| Elizabeth Hill | 410-274-0877 |
| Gabriel Steele | steelegabe@gmail.com |
| Jay Miller | JMiller@lawpga.com |
| Judge Charles Dorsey, Chair | Charles.Dorsey@mdcourts.gov |
| Judge William Simmons | william.simmons@mdcourts.gov | 240-620-3366 |
| Kate Sinclair | KSinclair@silvermanthompson.com |
| Marissa Beth Joelson, Vice Chair | mjoelson@lawpga.com | 917- 226-6472 |
| Meg Garrett | Mrobinsgarrett@yahoo.com | 240-475-7677 |
| Robin Barnes Shell | Robinbshell@msn.com | 240-472-9919 |
| Tara Leigh Ross | 410-790-8417 |
| Tom Rafter | tom@tomrafterlaw.com |
| Andrew Cooper | 410-303-0013 |
| Chris Flohr | cflohr@bflwamd.com | 443-838-1811 |
