How Can the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program Help You?

The Louisiana State Bar Association’s Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse was first established in 1985 to provide confidential assistance to members of the Bar and their families who were experiencing problems with alcohol or drug abuse. In 1992, the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) formed the Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc. (LAP) an LSBA-owned 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation designed to provide confidential, life-saving assistance to the profession and its family members.

Over the years, LAP has expanded the scope of its services and is now the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc. (JLAP), a full-service and comprehensive mental health and wellness assistance program with full-time professional clinical staff members. JLAP provides direct and confidential assistance for all mental health issues that members of the legal profession may encounter.

JLAP’s most vital mission is to facilitate early intervention and the direct use of JLAP’s confidential services before the person has become involved in the disciplinary system or otherwise encountered severe consequences. In furtherance of that work, JLAP’s staff provides free, professional intervention services in cases deemed appropriate by JLAP. Early intervention is the key to saving lives and careers while also helping to protect the public from the harm that impaired judges and lawyers can cause.

In cases involving disciplinary action as a result of alleged impairment-related unethical conduct, JLAP provides the direct facilitation of JLAP-approved evaluations and assessments, JLAP-approved treatment if indicated, and formal JLAP Recovery Monitoring or Mental Health Monitoring as the person may desire to objectively demonstrate that they are no longer impaired, are in solid recovery, and that the risk of recidivism is remote. JLAP’s reliable services reflect decades of experience by Physicians’, Nurses’, Airline Pilots’ and Lawyers’ Programs.

Regardless of what the mental health issue is, or how early or late it is in its development, JLAP offers immediate and confidential assistance.

All calls to JLAP are confidential as a matter of law. You do not have to give your name.

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For Confidential Help Call (985) 778-0571

If you are in need of JLAP’s help, don’t wait! Make the decision to trust JLAP and reach out immediately. No matter how isolated you feel or how reticent you are to share your situation, please put those feelings aside and trust JLAP. You do not even have to give your name. All you have to do is make the call to JLAP at (985) 778-0571. If you have an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.