If Terry Harrell, executive director of the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program and chair of the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs, drew up a wish list for how LAPs and bar associations should confront the issue of helping cognitively impaired lawyers, this is what it would look like:
- A good network of local neuropsychologists and clinical resources to help with identification and transition.
- More LAP staff to handle the expected increase in calls in the years ahead.
- Teams of local lawyers to help older colleagues effectively “dismantle a practice,” which would assist not only the older attorneys, but their clients as well.
- Widespread education on the need for lawyers to draw up an effective succession plan.
“I hope lawyers understand that LAPs will help, and it will all be confidential,” she adds.