July 1999

ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs 12th Annual National Workshop

by Barbara Harper, WSBA Director of Lawyer Services
and Zella Ozretich, WSBA Lawyer Services Coordinator

In its 1983 report, the American Bar Association’s Task Force on Professional Competence concluded that the widespread adoption and improvement of lawyer assistance programs should play an important role in the profession’s overall efforts to improve lawyer competence. Following a series of regional conferences on lawyer competence at which the subject of lawyer impairment had been a major focus, the ABA Standing Committee on Lawyer Competence (no longer a task force) invited representatives of lawyer assistance programs to a meeting in Philadelphia in February 1988. At the meeting, the activities of the various programs were discussed and suggestions offered as to the role the ABA could play in this area. These supporting entities felt that the ABA could surely make a major contribution toward educating the bar and the public and toward legitimizing the notion that lawyers and judges — together with their families and colleagues — should do everything possible to encourage those lawyers addicted to alcohol or other drugs to enter into appropriate treatment programs.

At the recommendation of the Lawyer Competence Committee and the Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services, the ABA Board of Governors created a seven-member commission at the annual meeting in Toronto in August 1988. The Commission was charged with the development and implementation of a comprehensive association-wide program for lawyer impairments of varying natures and degrees of severity, arising from emotional or behavioral problems that affect their well-being and work performance, and which include drug and alcohol dependency.

Whereas only 26 Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs) existed in 1980, today all 50 states have developed programs or committees focused on quality-of-life issues. These programs employ the use of mental health professionals, intervention, peer counseling, and referral to "12-step" and other programs to assist lawyers. Leaders of state and local LAPs across the nation have urged the ABA to play a leadership role to assist them in communicating with each other to create supplemental and centralized national lawyer-to-lawyer assistance services for impaired lawyers. The National Workshop for Lawyer Assistance Programs is the ABA’s response to this request for assistance from LAP leaders. This year, the national workshop will be held in Washington state.

The ABA’s 12th National Workshop for Lawyer Assistance Programs provides an educational opportunity for bar leaders; lawyer assistance program directors and staff; members of the judiciary and disciplinary agencies; and all lawyers concerned with stress, depression and addictions in the profession. This workshop is a must for chairs and volunteer members of state and local lawyer assistance programs, as well as anyone in the profession who may have had personal experiences with partners, associates, clients or family who have suffered from these impairments. The workshop is also designed to help bar leaders develop, expand and utilize lawyer assistance programs in their regions. Information on how to fund, staff and operate a successful program will be presented.

Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs) work to prevent or alleviate problems before they jeopardize a lawyer’s practice, to protect the public from harm, and to improve the public’s perception of the legal profession. In keeping with these goals, the workshop provides education to attendees on various topics which are relevant to LAP programs and the lawyers they serve. Some of the topics for educational seminars to be offered at this year’s workshop include: diversity issues; career options for disenchanted or disbarred lawyers; landmark cases rooted in lawyer impairment; confidentiality and immunity; depression/dual disorders; gambling; family issues; intervention; and helping a lawyer retire from or re-enter the profession. First-time program attendees will be assigned a mentor who will guide them to sessions of particular interest to them.

Speakers and attendees come from all over the United States and Canada, and Washington will be particularly well represented this year. Washington lawyers will want to make note of these sessions in particular:

Welcome and Introductions: including WSBA Executive Director Jan Michels and WSBA President-elect Richard Eymann
Dealing with Discipline — LAP and LOMAP Working Together: a panel discussion including WSBA Chief Disciplinary Counsel Barrie Althoff and WSBA Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) Advisor Marty Potter
Helping a Lawyer Retire: presented by WSBA Director of Lawyer Services Barbara Harper and WSBA Lawyers’ Assistance Program Psychotherapist Rebecca Nerison
How to Reach the Minority Population Suffering from Chemical Dependency: presented by Yvonne Terrell-Powell, Director of the Multi-cultural Education Center at Shoreline Community College, a dynamic and provocative speaker on diversity issues who was recently featured at the WSBA Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s 2nd Annual Statewide Conference

This year’s workshop is being held at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington, located in the magnificent Columbia River Gorge. The lodge’s natural setting, tucked amidst the waterfalls, peaks, forests and canyons of the gorge, provides breathtaking views and a peaceful haven away from city life. The area around the lodge in the gorge offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, rock-climbing, and windsurfing, while more urban attractions are also easily accessible nearby. Skamania Lodge is just 45 minutes east of Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The lodge is a 3 1/2-hour drive from Seattle, and a 2 1/2-hour drive from the Washington or Oregon coast.

To receive a brochure containing additional details on this workshop, including a full agenda, information on continuing education credits, reservation information, and a workshop registration form, please contact either the WSBA Lawyer Assistance Program at 206-727-8268 or the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Program Assistant, Debi Taylor, at 312-988-5325.

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