The Besden Redemption

The ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law present, "The Besden Redemption."

Laurie Besden is an attorney and the Executive Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania. Laurie had a privileged upbringing. She graduated college with a 3.97 GPA, and was in the top 15% of her law school class. On paper, Laurie is the definition of success. Laurie is also a drug addict...

In "The Besden Redemption," Laurie candidly shares her story. It is a remarkable story of crippling addiction, and ultimately, redemption. 

CoLAP's Law School Assistance Committee set out to create a video that law students can relate to. That will encourage those who are reluctant to seek help to take the first step. That will make those who think, "It can't happen to me," realize that it can happen to anybody. As Laurie puts it, "these diseases do not discriminate. But recovery doesn't either." 

If you're struggling with a substance use disorder or mental illness, watch this video and know you're not alone. If you or your entity is in a position to pass along this powerful message, please do so now. 

See below for the full version as well as an abridged, 3-minute version.

Download the video file for the full version of "The Besden Redemption."

Download the video file for the 3-minute version of "The Besden Redemption."

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All content included in this video is the property of The American Bar Association and is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. The materials contained herein represent the opinions of the authors and editors and should not be construed to be those of either the American Bar Association or the Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs. The American Bar Association and its Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs are not responsible or liable for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this video. Nothing contained herein is to be considered as the rendering of legal or medical advice. Viewers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel or medical providers.


This video is intended for educational and informational purposes only. No part of this video, including but not limited to the audio, video, text, graphics, images and logos may be modified, reproduced, distributed, published, transmitted, publicly displayed or utilized for any commercial purpose, in any form, by any means, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Laurie Besden. Any copy of this video or any part thereof must include with it this notice.