Professional Liability Litigation

State Bar Lawyer Assistance Programs

The legal profession collectively suffers from depression, suicide, and other mental health issues in significantly greater proportion than the general population. These issues can include anxiety; stress, burnout, and balance; anger management; compassion fatigue; alcohol or drug addiction; compulsive behaviors such as gambling; and grief and loss. The ABA is strongly focused on this issue and on making lawyers aware of the many confidential resources available to them regarding mental health, substance abuse, and other life stresses that can adversely affect an attorney’s ability to practice law effectively. To that end, the Professional Liability Litigation Committee has compiled the below list of links to the state bar lawyers’ assistance programs across the country. These programs can assist lawyers, judges, and law students with issues that are or may be impairing; support the ongoing recovery process of lawyers and judges; educate the legal community about issues of substance abuse and mental health; and help to maintain the integrity of the profession. We hope this list will be a useful resource to you and your colleagues.