Like many attorneys, Sarah could not detach herself from her work.

When her firm introduced a permanent work-from-home policy during the pandemic, productivity climbed — but so did something else. The rituals that had structured Sarah's day — the commute, the lunch break away from the office — disappeared. Without realizing it, she had lost the pauses that allowed her to mentally regroup. The client files that used to wait until she reached the office now greeted her the moment she opened her eyes. Lunch became a sandwich at her desk. Her kids were home several days a week, and the pressure of being both a present parent and a high-performing attorney felt relentless.

Sarah started with a glass of wine in the evenings. Before long it was two. Then a bottle. Her work began to slip, clients started to complain, and her managing partner called her in for a difficult conversation. Fortunately, Sarah had recently attended a seminar where she learned about her state's lawyer assistance program. She decided it was time to make the call.

Sarah's story is not unusual. It is, in fact, representative of a legal profession quietly struggling beneath the surface — and it is exactly why lawyer assistance programs exist.

When the Weight of the Law Becomes Too Heavy to Carry Alone: Why the Legal Profession Needs Lawyer Assistance Programs

Stress and anxiety are not peripheral concerns in the practice of law — they are endemic to it. The pandemic, economic instability, and the relentless pressure of client demands have pushed mental health issues in the legal community to a breaking point that can no longer be ignored.

The numbers are stark. Research shows that 67 percent of female attorneys and 49 percent of male attorneys report experiencing moderate or severe levels of stress. Attorneys are more than twice as likely to engage in hazardous patterns of drinking compared to peers in other professions. Substance use disorders, depression, burnout, and anxiety are measurably more prevalent among legal professionals than in the general population — and the legal profession's long-standing culture of stoicism and self-sufficiency has historically made it harder, not easier, for attorneys to seek help.

Attitudes are changing, slowly. The American Bar Association, state bar associations across the country, and a growing number of task force initiatives within the legal community have all elevated attorney well-being as a professional priority. The ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) has been a leading force in that shift — and the state-level lawyer assistance programs it supports are the infrastructure that makes real help available to real attorneys when they need it most.

What Is a Lawyer Assistance Program?

A lawyer assistance program (LAP) is a confidential support service designed to help attorneys, judges, and law students navigate mental health issues, substance use disorders, burnout, and a wide range of other challenges that can interfere with the practice of law. These programs are typically operated under the auspices of a state bar association or as independent nonprofit organizations affiliated with the legal community.

The defining feature of a LAP — and the feature that makes it effective — is confidentiality. Most states have adopted rules specifically protecting the confidentiality of attorneys who access lawyer assistance program services. Without that protection, many attorneys in need would never reach out. The stigma surrounding mental health problems and substance abuse in the legal profession is real, and confidential services are the essential precondition for attorneys helping lawyers who might otherwise suffer in silence.

Lawyer assistance programs are typically staffed by a combination of licensed clinical professionals and attorneys who have personal experience navigating the challenges that LAP clients face. Most programs also rely on trained volunteers — many of them attorneys themselves — to staff hotlines, provide peer support, and serve as peer counselors for colleagues in crisis. This lawyers helping lawyers model is one of the most distinctive and effective features of the LAP framework.

What Services Do Lawyer Assistance Programs Provide?

The specific services offered by lawyer assistance programs vary by state and organization, but the core offerings typically include the following.

Confidential Assessment and Referral

Most LAPs offer confidential assessments to help attorneys identify the nature and severity of what they are experiencing — whether that is a substance use disorder, a mental health crisis, burnout, or some combination. Based on that assessment, the program provides referrals to appropriate treatment providers, support groups, or other resources. For attorneys who are not sure whether what they are experiencing rises to the level of a clinical concern, many LAPs also offer self-assessment tools that provide a starting point without requiring an in-person contact.

Peer Support and Peer Counseling

Peer support is a cornerstone of the lawyer assistance program model. Attorneys struggling with mental health issues or substance use are often more willing to talk with someone who has walked the same road than with a clinical professional they do not know. LAP volunteers — attorneys who have navigated their own recovery or mental health challenges and are trained as peer counselors — provide that connection. The lawyers concerned for lawyers ethos that animates many of these programs reflects a genuine belief that attorneys are uniquely positioned to help one another.

Crisis Support and Hotlines

Many lawyer assistance programs operate toll-free hotlines and, in some cases, connections to broader mental health lifeline resources for attorneys in acute crisis. These services provide immediate, confidential access to support outside of business hours — a critical feature given the irregular schedules that characterize legal practice. Attorneys who are not sure whether their situation qualifies as a crisis are encouraged to call anyway. That is what the hotline is for.

Harm Minimization for Clients

One of the most practically important services that many LAPs provide — and one that attorneys may not know exists — is assistance with minimizing harm to clients when an attorney needs to step away for treatment. This can include helping the attorney obtain continuances, identifying alternate counsel, or coordinating with the state bar to manage the attorney's caseload during a period of impairment or treatment. This service protects both the attorney and their clients during an already difficult transition.

Education, CLE, and Outreach

Lawyer assistance programs are active in the legal community far beyond their direct services to individual attorneys. Most LAPs conduct educational outreach — including CLE programming, webinars, and presentations to law school audiences — designed to reduce stigma, build awareness of mental health and wellness resources, and equip attorneys and law students to recognize the signs of distress in themselves and their colleagues. These outreach efforts are frequently provided at no cost to requesting organizations.

Guidance for Colleagues and Family Members

Many LAPs also provide guidance to family members, law firm colleagues, and others who are concerned about an attorney in their life. Knowing how to approach a colleague who may be struggling — or a family member whose law practice seems to be suffering — is not intuitive. Lawyer assistance programs can provide guidance on interventions, treatment options, and how to connect someone in need with appropriate support services without damaging the relationship or the attorney's career.

The ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP)

At the national level, the American Bar Association maintains the Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs — commonly known as CoLAP. The ABA CoLAP supports the work of state and local lawyer assistance programs across the United States, conducts research on attorney mental health and substance use, holds national conferences, and serves as a clearinghouse for resources, reports, and tools relevant to attorney wellness.

CoLAP maintains a comprehensive directory of lawyer assistance programs organized by state — including programs in US territories and international programs — making it the most reliable starting point for any attorney seeking to find their state's LAP. The directory includes contact information for programs in New York, Washington, California, the DC Bar's Lawyer Assistance Program, and every other US jurisdiction.

The State Bar of California, the DC Bar, and the New York state bar association are among the programs with well-developed LAP infrastructure that attorneys in those jurisdictions can access. Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) — a model that has been adopted in several states — represents one of the most established peer-support frameworks in the LAP ecosystem and has served as a template for programs nationwide.

Are Lawyer Assistance Programs Effective?

By their nature, lawyer assistance programs cannot publish utilization statistics — confidentiality is the foundation of the model. But the evidence that is available is encouraging. Anecdotal accounts and testimonials from attorneys who have used LAP services consistently describe the programs as life-changing. Many attorneys cite their state's lawyer assistance program as the turning point in their recovery from addiction or their return to stable mental health.

Research also suggests that programs specifically designed for attorneys are more effective than general population programs. For attorneys struggling with alcohol addiction, in particular, lawyer assistance programs have shown stronger outcomes in curtailing drinking than standard addiction counseling and support programs. The peer support model — attorneys helping attorneys — appears to be a meaningful driver of that differential.

How to Find Your State's Lawyer Assistance Program

The most reliable way to find a lawyer assistance program is through the ABA CoLAP directory, which is available at americanbar.org and includes programs across all US states, US territories, and international jurisdictions. Your state bar association or state bar's website will also typically list your LAP directly, along with contact information and any toll-free hotline numbers.

If you are concerned about a colleague rather than seeking help for yourself, the same resources apply. Most lawyer assistance programs welcome calls from concerned colleagues and family members, not just from the attorneys themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyer Assistance Programs

What Is a Lawyer Assistance Program?

A lawyer assistance program (LAP) is a confidential support service that provides attorneys, judges, and law students with access to mental health resources, substance use disorder treatment referrals, peer support, crisis services, and wellness programming. LAPs are typically operated through or affiliated with a state bar association or lawyer assistance committee, and are designed specifically for the unique stressors and professional culture of the legal community.

Are Lawyer Assistance Programs Confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the lawyer assistance program model. Most states have adopted rules specifically protecting the confidentiality of attorneys who access LAP services. Information shared with a lawyer assistance program is generally not reportable to the state bar or to disciplinary authorities, unless the attorney consents to disclosure. This protection is what makes the programs effective — without it, many attorneys in need would never seek help.

Who Can Use a Lawyer Assistance Program?

Lawyer assistance programs are available to attorneys, judges, and law students. Many programs also extend services to support staff and family members of legal professionals. Some programs provide guidance to colleagues who are concerned about an impaired attorney — including advice on interventions and how to connect a colleague with appropriate support services.

What Issues Do Lawyer Assistance Programs Help With?

LAPs can help with a wide range of issues, including substance use disorders (alcohol and drugs), depression, anxiety, burnout, eating disorders, cognitive decline, suicidal ideation, and other mental health problems. They also provide guidance on practice management issues that arise when an attorney's mental health or substance use is affecting their clients.

How Do I Find a Lawyer Assistance Program in My State?

The ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) maintains a comprehensive directory of lawyer assistance programs across all US states, territories, and international jurisdictions. Your state bar association's website will also typically list your state's LAP directly. Many programs operate toll-free hotlines that provide immediate, confidential access to support.

Are Lawyer Assistance Programs Only for Attorneys With Addiction Issues?

No. While substance use disorders are among the most common issues that LAPs address, these programs serve the full spectrum of mental health and wellness concerns that affect legal professionals — including burnout, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and acute mental health crises. Any attorney experiencing distress that is affecting their well-being or their practice of law is an appropriate candidate for LAP services.

Are Lawyer Assistance Programs Free?

Most lawyer assistance programs provide their core services — including initial assessments, peer support, hotline access, and referrals — at no cost to the attorney, often functioning as a pro bono resource for the legal community. Some programs charge fees for extended services or treatment referrals. Educational outreach programming, including CLE and webinars, is often provided at no cost to requesting organizations. Contact your state's LAP directly for specific information about available services and any associated costs.

How Effective Are Lawyer Assistance Programs?

Research indicates that programs specifically designed for attorneys are more effective than general population mental health and addiction programs. For attorneys struggling with alcohol addiction in particular, LAPs have shown stronger outcomes than standard addiction counseling. The peer support model — lawyers helping lawyers — is widely cited as a key driver of this effectiveness. Testimonials from attorneys who have used LAP services consistently describe the programs as transformative.

Continue Your Professional Development With NBI

Attorney well-being is not a personal matter separate from professional practice — it is integral to it. Join NBI at nbi-sems.com today to explore a full catalog of CLE courses designed to help legal professionals lead, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly changing legal landscape — including programming on attorney wellness, mental health in the legal profession, and the practice management skills that support sustainable, fulfilling legal careers.