Highlights Newsletter Archive
ABA CoLAP
Fall 1995 Issue
Chair's File
by Michael J. Crowley, Austin, TX
Most of you are familiar with the plans the Commission on Impaired Attorneys has laid out for the coming year. We have a number of projects we are going to try to complete some are exceedingly ambitious and some may not be completed within a year. Creating a survey of recovering lawyers, acquiring responses and documenting the results in a useful form is a project we would love to undertake this year, but we cannot anticipate getting it done.
We have limitations on the number of projects we can undertake and other guidelines under which we must operate. Keep in mind, we are, by definition, a broad brush commission. It is our job to be helpful and supportive to all Lawyer Assistance Programs ("LAPs") - no matter what their stage of development. If we concentrate our activities solely on those LAPs that have sufficient funds and program directors, we ignore a significant part of the population that needs our help. On the other hand, if we concentrate our efforts on those programs that need help getting off the ground, we ignore the needs of our more developed LAPs. So by definition we need to spread our efforts out; we cannot concentrate on only one area.
In order to expand and improve the services we have to offer, we need your help. We have created a number of committees, all of which need a helping hand. To participate, contact Donna Spilis at 312-988-5359 or e-mail to: spilisd@staff.abanet.org.
Finally, with the recent expansion of the Commission, I would like to personally welcome Ed Blewer and Adrian Hill to the group. I strongly believe that with their assistance, in addition to the efforts of the rest of the Commission and all of you, this will be be a very productive and satisfying year!
We look forward to hearing from you.
Around The LAPs
Alaska
John W. Abbott, Chair of the Substance Abuse Committee of the Alaska Bar Association is pleased with the activities of his committee and the support given by the Alaska Bar and the Anchorage Bar Association. The Anchorage Bar has been providing funding on a loan basis to lawyers who need treatment but cannot afford it. They are showing a 90% recovery and repayment rate. Diane F. Vallentine, current President of the Alaska Bar and member of the Board of Directors of the Anchorage Bar, is very sensitive to the issue of substance abuse and supports the efforts of the committee.Florida
Congratulations to Meyer (Michael) J. Cohen, the new Executive Director of Florida Lawyers Assistance. Michael has served FLA for several years as Program Director and has moved into the position of Executive Director after the untimely death of Bill Kilby this past summer. Taking over the Program Director post is Judith Rushlow, a Ft. Lauderdale lawyer who has been in private practice. Judith has been teaching in the DUI Countermeasures Program of Broward County and has worked with the volunteers of FLA for about eight years. You can reach both Michael and Judith at 305/566-9040.Georgia
The search is now under way for a new executive director of the Lawyer Assistance Program of the State Bar of Georgia. Debby Elzea has resigned and will be deeply missed. Patrick Reily has stepped in during the search to continue serving the State Bar of Georgia's Committee on Lawyer Impairment and Lawyers Assistance Program. If you are interested in the position, send your resume and references to: LAP Search Committee, 800 The Hurt Building, 50 Hurt Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30303.The announcement reads: To administer and manage the Lawyer Assistance Program of the State Bar of Georgia, to implement education, training, chemical dependency and impairment awareness programs, and to coordinate counseling, referral, intervention, and monitoring services to the legal profession. Applicant must have an advanced degree and significant training and professional experience in administration, alcohol and chemical dependency and assistance to impaired professionals. Applicant must be highly motivated and possess outstanding administrative, communication, advocacy and computer literacy skills. Law degree desirable but not required. Compensation commensurate with experience and overall ability.
Indiana
Lawyers Helping Lawyers, a project of the Indiana State Bar Association, has announced the opening of an 800 number to provide support and assistance for lawyers experiencing substance abuse. The SupportLine, which is strictly confidential, is being staffed by trained professionals from a local hospital and is designed to provide evaluation of a problem and guidance to the right source for assistance. SupportLine also provides referrals for support and encouragement from other lawyers and judges who are recovering from substance abuse problems and advice for family and friends on obtaining assistance and dealing with the pressures of supporting the substance abuser through recovery. The number is 800-446-0305.Kentucky
Alfred J. Welsh, former Commission member, sent us a packet of information on how Kentucky Lawyers Helping Lawyers processes its lawyer cases. It outlines how to handle: cases referred by the Supreme Court of Kentucky, the KBA Inquiry Tribunal, or the Judicial Retirement and Removal Commission; lawyer self-referrals; and referrals by a "third party" other than a disciplinary body. In addition to this general procedural outline and quick reference tool, Kentucky follows the LHL Charter and By-Laws. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this useful guide, contact Gerri Sandner at 312-988-5312.Missouri
The Missouri Bar Board of Governors has given preliminary approval to the concept of providing assistance to impaired lawyers. Pending final approval in November, the plan is to fill the position of director by January 1, or as soon as possible thereafter.The position description involves: Coordinating with The Missouri Bar and the Supreme Court Intervention Committee on all aspects of the Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program which generally provides for identification, intervention, evaluating and referring for recovery and support of lawyers experiencing impairments. Impairments are defined as alcohol and drug dependency, mental and physical illnesses, age related problems, and other disorders or problems that adversely affect Missouri Lawyers. This person should have a master's degree in psychology, counseling or other related field from an accredited education institution or a J.D. with appropriate experience and certification. Must be licensed as a professional counselor or willing to seek licensure in Missouri as noted under Section 337.150 RSMo., or licensed by another state having substantially the same licensing requirements under which reciprocity would apply. Certified as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) from the Missouri Substance Abuse Counselor's Certification board or equivalent certification from another state or a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) or licensed as a chemical dependency counselor. [If in recovery, at least five years of sobriety is required.] All interested applicants should send a resume to: Keith Birkes, Executive Director, The Missouri Bar, P.O. Box 119, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0119.
Montana
The Alcohol & Drug Assistance Network (ADAN) Diversion Program of the State Bar of Montana was approved for funding as part of Professional Assistance Counseling & Technical Support (PACTS). The purpose of PACTS is to provide a safety net for lawyers with clients who suffer as a result of the lawyer's shortfall, whether it be office mismanagement, disorganization, inadequate legal training, substance abuse, mental illness, incompetence or lack of communication skills. ADAN will administer the Diversion Program involving impaired lawyers, including contracting with a substance abuse counselor (a "gatekeeper") who would check to assure that an lawyer diverted from discipline was adhering to agreements. ADAN has estimated the annual cost of a "gatekeeper" for the Diversion Program to be $10,000.Nebraska
John C. Brownrigg, a first time attendee at the National Workshop for Lawyer Assistance Programs in Vancouver and chair of the Nebraska State Bar Association's Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, indicated there will be a new department of the Bar, which will be referred to as the Nebraska Lawyers Assistance Program (NLAP). The focus of this program will initially be chemical dependency and recovery assistance for law students, lawyers and judges. At a later date, it may be expanded to assist members of the profession with other addictions and personal problems. Plans are under way to hire a new director, hopefully by the first of the new year. This person will be an employee of the Bar (part time - 30 hours per week). A Search Sub-Committee has been appointed, which is chaired by Richard E. Shugrue, a Law Professor at Creighton University. As soon as a Job Description is developed, it will be circulated to those on the Commission mailing list.New York
In the ongoing struggle to raise awareness and provide support for those afflicted with alcoholism and drug abuse, NYSBA released its annual report on the success of its Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP). Since its creation in 1990, the LAP has fielded some 20,000 telephone calls and received more than 1,000 referrals from concerned members and their families seeking information about the disease which, in some areas, may afflict as much as 18 percent of the lawyer population. The recent Annual Report shows that during the past year calls to the LAP have increased by 13 percent.North Carolina
The Wake County Bar has created Bar CARES - Confidential Attorney Resource and Enrichment Services, a program customized to meet the needs of Wake County Bar lawyers and their families. The Lawyer Support Committee and an outside consultant hired to provide the service are in the final stages of preparation, and hope to be up and running this month. This project is jointly funded by the Wake County Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation. For additional information, contact Charlie Hinton at 919/781- 0266.Ohio
The Mahoning County Bar Association in Youngstown, Ohio, is forming a new committee of lawyers willing to help support other lawyers who have problems with alcohol or substance abuse. Names and telephone numbers of lawyers and judges who can be called for confidential assistance can be found in the September 1995 issue of the Mahoning County Bar News.Pennsylvania
Ken Hagreen, Director, Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers, provided copies of LCL's latest videotape, "Mirage," for distribution at the National Workshop for Lawyer Assistance Programs. The video profiles Kay Hudson, a fictitious senior partner in a firm specializing in complex civil litigation and corporate matters, who has cracked the glass ceiling and earned the respect of her peers. Kay is intelligent and insightful, but when it comes to her use of alcohol and Valium, her ability to think clearly is impaired. A handy four page flyer accompanies the tape. If your LAP can afford to send a donation ($5 or $10) to offset the cost of producing and duplicating the tape, it would be greatly appreciated. This is the third in a series of tapes produced by LCL, which have been generously distributed to other programs. In order to make it possible for LCL to continue their work, please be generous in your donation.Virginia
Representatives from the LAPs in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Ohio were in attendance at the First Annual Lawyers Helping Lawyers Conference sponsored by the Substance Abuse Committee of the Virginia Bar Association. It was a memorable conference with an excellent educational program, outstanding speakers and wonderful, friendly conference attendees. They received support from many of our regular treatment center sponsors including: Betty Ford Center, COPAC, Father Martin's Ashley and Talbott-Marsh Recovery Campus.Susan D. Pauley, the new Lawyers Helping Lawyers program director, was introduced at the conference. Susan is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Certified Clinical Supervisor and Certified Addictions Counselor. She graduated Cum Laude from Roanoke College with a BS Degree and holds an Associates Degree in Mental Health Technology from Wytheville Community College. Most recently Susan was the Substance Abuse Division Director at the New River Valley Community Services Board. You can reach her at The Virginia Bar Association at 804/644-0041.
