Lawyer Assistance Program
The State Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) helps current, former, and disbarred attorneys; law students; and State Bar applicants who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or mental health and/or substance use issues affecting their personal and professional lives. The program provides both voluntary confidential services and monitored services as needed.
Services offered
LAP counselors can provide a free assessment of your situation and assist you in getting the help you need, whether it’s for mental health issues, substance use issues, or a career transition. Some short-term services are free. If you join a group or need additional services, fees may apply. Financial assistance is available for qualified participants. Contact our office for more information.
LAP Support Services
The Lawyer Assistance Program offers several support services, including short-term individual counseling, and longer-term support groups.
Monitored LAP
The Monitored Lawyer Assistance Program is for attorneys, law students, or State Bar applicants who need to satisfy a specific monitoring or verification requirement.
LAP Offerings
Legal professionals can attend informational courses on a variety of topics, from guidance on law office management to executive function strategies for success in law.
About confidentiality
We know it is often difficult to reach out for help during the hard times, especially if it’s about a private matter. Rest assured, we promise confidentiality: We do not release information about your participation in the program without your knowledge or consent. Participation is confidential as mandated by Business and Professions Code section 6234.
“I had a profound experience coming to LAP. It completely changed my life, and because it changed my life in so many ways, I want other people to benefit from that, and to know how great this program is.” —LAP Participant
LAP resources for attorneys
- Resources
- State Bar: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Toolbox
- State Bar: Wellness Guide for Senior Lawyers and Their Families, Friends, and Colleagues
- California Lawyers Association: Health and Wellness: Events, webinars, and resources provided by the CLA Health and Wellness Committee
- ABA: Mental Health Resources for the Legal Profession
- ABA: 40 Wellness Tips to Help Lawyers Cope with Stress
- ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs CoLAP
- Lawyers Depression Project: A confidential forum and peer support group; free for attorneys, law students, paralegals, and administrative professionals
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), national, toll-free, available 24/7
- Crisis Text Line: Need help? Text HOME to 741-741 to reach a crisis counselor.
- U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: Anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders
- Self-assessment tests
Have you ever been depressed, anxious, or concerned about your use of alcohol or other substances? If so, we encourage you to complete one or more of the self-assessment tests below.
These tests do not serve as a substitute for a professional evaluation, but the results can help you decide if you should contact the LAP for a more thorough professional assessment.
- Videos & podcasts
- Articles
- Competency Issues: Having “the Talk” by Michelle Harmon, LCSW
- Mental Health Issues Among Attorneys and Legal Professionals and Wellness Strategies to Combat Them by Lita Abella, JD
- Stress, drink, leave: An Examination of Gender-Specific Risk Factors for Mental Health Problems and Attrition Among Licensed Attorneys by J. Anker and P. Krill
- The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys by Patrick R. Krill, JD, LLM, Ryan Johnson, MA, and Linda Albert, MSSW
- DC Bar LAP: Time for a Mental Health Checkup
- DC Bar LAP: Relieving Stress: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself
- DC Bar LAP: Battle-Worn and Feeling It
- DC Bar LAP: The Power of Vulnerability
- DC Bar LAP: Creating a Healthy, Inclusive Culture
- DC Bar LAP: Leaders, Heal Thyselves, Too
- Online support groups
- LifeRing Secular Recovery: An abstinence-based, anonymous peer support group offering a non-judgmental space for individuals to engage in recovery conversations and share support with peers.
- SMART Recovery: A secular peer support group providing an evidence-informed environment for individuals dealing with substance dependencies or problematic behaviors, promoting recovery through a structured program.
- The Other Bar: A confidential peer support group for California lawyers, judges, law students, State Bar applicants, and their families, offering assistance with alcohol and drug use issues and related personal challenges. Support is available 24 hours a day at 800-222-0767.
LAP resources for students
- Resources
- State Bar: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Toolbox
- California Lawyers Association: Health and Wellness: Events, webinars, and resources provided by the CLA Health and Wellness Committee.
- The Other Bar: This confidential peer support resource for California lawyers, judges, law students, and State Bar applicants and their families offers help with problematic alcohol and drug use and related personal problems. Available 24 hours a day: 800-222-0767
- ABA: Mental Health Resources for the Legal Profession
- ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs CoLAP
- Lawyers Depression Project: A confidential forum and peer support group; free for attorneys, law students, paralegals, and administrative professionals.
- Active Minds: Student-organized support groups.
- ABA for Law Students: Mental Health Toolkit
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), national, toll-free, available 24/7
- Crisis Text Line: Need help? Text HOME to 741-741 to reach a crisis counselor.
- US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: Anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders.
- Self-assessment tests
Have you ever been depressed, anxious, or concerned about your use of alcohol or drugs? If so, we encourage you to complete one or more of the self-assessment tests below.
These tests cannot serve as a substitute for a professional evaluation, however the results can help you decide if you should contact the LAP for a more thorough professional assessment.
- Articles
The following articles are not produced by the State Bar but are provided as research resources:
- The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys by Patrick R. Krill, JD, LLM, Ryan Johnson, MA, and Linda Albert, MSSW
- Suffering in Silence: The Survey of Law Student Well-Being and the Reluctance of Law Students to Seek Help for Substance Use and Mental Health Concerns by Jerome M. Organ, David B. Jaffe, and Katherine M. Bender
- Mental Health Issues Among Attorneys and Legal Professionals and Wellness Strategies to Combat Them by Lita Abella, JD
More information
- Subscribe for email updates on upcoming LAP offerings
- LAP FAQs
- LAP Growth Grant Criteria
- Lawyer Assistance Program Oversight Committee
- Attorney Diversion & Assistance Act
- Rules and regulations governing the Lawyer Assistance Program and rules governing the Financial Assistance Plan of the Lawyer Assistance Program
Contact us
For more information, please complete the LAP/OPC Support Intake Form, give us a call (877-LAP-4HELP or 877-527-4435), or send an email to LAP@calbar.ca.gov. Contacting us is confidential.