New Jersey State Bar Association

The purpose of the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program (NJLAP) is to provide assistance to attorneys, members of the judiciary, law students, and law graduates with alcohol, drug, gambling, emotional, behavioral and other personal problems that affect well-being and professional performance.

NJLAP provides free, confidential, professional assistance with these and other issues to you or an attorney you know. The New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program is funded by all members of the Bar with invaluable administrative support from the New Jersey State Bar Association. Our services include help for a broad range of problems and personal issues such as:

Depression
Stress and Burnout
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Marital and Family Relationships
Gambling
Career Concerns
Eating Disorders
Balancing Work and Family

Maintaining the utmost confidentiality

Because of the sensitive nature of personal problems, attorneys in need are often reluctant to seek help. To foster early and confidential self-help and to encourage program participation, the New Jersey Supreme Court, in approval of the program, assured utmost confidentiality by adoption of Rule 1:28B-3. You can read it, in full, at the bottom of this page.

NJLAP includes a network of attorney peer counselors with special knowledge about helping resources for their colleagues. Our distinctive Women's Program is a leading resource and a national model. Women attorneys in recovery meet monthly for education, sharing, networking and peer support. Such "lawyer-helping-lawyer" activity is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Bar.

Lawyers are not unique

Millions of Americans suffer from depression, anxiety and other health problems. Millions more struggle with alcohol and other drug dependency. Many are lawyers who find their careers and families slipping away as they grow more desperate. Like people in all walks of life, lawyers tend to deny their symptoms. This is especially so for lawyers because we are helpers and advice-givers. Attempts to find solutions or toughing it out alone are usually in vain. By failing to reach out for help, a lawyer may jeopardize all that is meaningful in life.

Help starts with one phone call

The New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program has a proven 10 year record of helping New Jersey lawyers - confidentially and free of charge. We are in a firsthand position to confirm what research studies show: addiction is highly treatable. Similarly, depression, anxiety, marital and family problems, career issues and other personal difficulties can be successfully managed and overcome. We can help, but only if you contact us.

When a lawyer you know is in trouble, call for a confidential consultation

NJLAP is always confidential, so you need never be concerned that by calling us your call has the potential to do harm. In fact, your call may be career or life saving. Whether the lawyer you are concerned about accepts the help or not, you are assured that NJLAP will help you better understand the problem. We will provide an assessment of the situation and assist you, your colleague, friend or loved one in getting whatever help may be needed. We can be reached at the 24 hour help line at 1-800-24NJLAP.

Providing practice assistance

An attorney with a personal or medical problem may, in some cases, need specific help to meet law practice demands during a difficult time. NJLAP works with volunteer lawyers who function under Confidentiality Rule 1:28B-3, which you can read, in full, at the bottom of this page.

These volunteer lawyers, either individually or in teams, can assist with the time and energy necessary to keep a law practice operating smoothly and to protect the clients. The volunteer lawyers can, through limited, temporary assistance, relieve the mind of a troubled colleague during his or her treatment, thus allowing concentration on recovery.

Whatever the problem, you do not have to manage alone

Don't delay in calling while you are trying to decide whether things are bad enough. There is no need to risk your license, livelihood, reputation or family. You do not have to do it alone. If you, a friend or a colleague is in trouble, seeking profesional help will make a difference. Once you have made the call, you have taken the first step. We will help you take it from there.

You can reach the 24 hour help line at 1-800-24-NJLAP or 1-800-246-5527. You can find our website at www.NJLAP.com.

The New Jersey Supreme Court, in its approval of the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program, assured utmost confidentiality by adoption of Rule 1:28B-3 as follows:

1:28B-3. Confidentiality. The records, documents, and meetings of LAP and the Board of Trustees are confidential, with the following exceptions:

(a) Annual audit reports;

(b) Annual reports of the Board of Trustees to the Supreme Court;

(c) Quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees from the LAP Director; and

(d) All materials relating to the budget process that do not identify clients of the program or otherwise disclose information that would compromise the confidentiality of the program as detailed in regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Supreme Court.

In no event, however, shall the identity of program clients be disclosed in the above reports.

Note: Adopted July 15, 1999, to be effective September 1, 1999.