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Supporting & Improving Lawyers’ Lives
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.
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, addiction, or mental health complications. The MSBA Lawyer Assistance Program can make a difference.
The Lawyer Assistance Program is available to all lawyers in Maryland and is committed to providing assistance to lawyers, judges, and law school students by offering assessment, referral, short-term counseling, and continued support to insure long term success. The recent expansion of the Lawyer Assistance Program offers a network of counselors across the entire state.
Contact us for more information. Our services are free and confidential.
Lisa Caplan, LCSW-C, Director | 443-703-3042 | lisa@msba.org
Referring to the Lawyer Assistance Program
If you are concerned about another lawyer, you can make an anonymous referral to the Lawyer Assistance Program.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, there are resources available.
Wondering whether you could benefit from help provided by the Lawyer Assistance Program? Take our quick self assessment to find out.
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.
How We Help
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.
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, Co-Chair | JMiller@lawpga.com |
| Judge Charles Dorsey | Charles.Dorsey@mdcourts.gov |
| Judge William Simmons, Co-Chair | william.simmons@mdcourts.gov | 240-620-3366 |
| Kate Sinclair | KSinclair@silvermanthompson.com |
| Marissa Beth Joelson | 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 |
