Confidential Assistance for Attorneys

By rule of the Colorado Supreme Court, there are two programs that offer assistance to attorneys. Both the Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP)  and Colorado Lawyers Helping Lawyers (CLHL), a Peer Assistance Program, are confidential and as such are exempt from reporting to the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. Additionally, both programs offer information regarding additional resources that are available to attorneys.  Financial assistance for attorneys may also be available through the Waterman Fund.

Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program--COLAP

In June 2011, the Colorado Supreme Court adopted Rule 254, which established the Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP) to provide immediate and continuing confidential assistance to members of the legal profession (judges, lawyers and law students) who suffer from physical or mental disabilities that result from disease, disorder, trauma or age, and that impair their ability to practice.  COLAP will provide educational programs to the bench, bar and law schools to increase awareness and understanding of the causes and remedies for impairments (physical or mental disabilities that  result from disease, disorder, trauma or age) affecting members of the legal profession and to convey an understanding of appropriate ways of interacting with affected individuals.  COLAP will also provide services such as: investigation, planning and participation in interventions; aftercare services upon request, by order or under contract to include appropriate aftercare planning, professional peer support meetings; assistance in obtaining local peer counselors, mentors or sponsors; and monitoring services to include tracking aftercare, peer support and twelve step meeting attendance; documentation of compliance and other monitoring requirements deemed appropriate.

For more information or to schedule an educational presentation, contact Barbara Ezyk at 303.986.3345; toll free 855.208.1168; cell 303.906.2940; or via email at  bezyk@coloradolap.org . Website: www.coloradolap.org.

COLORADO LAWYERS HELPING LAWYERS—CLHL

The Peer Assistance Program is provided by Colorado Lawyers Helping Lawyers, Inc. (CLHL). This is a lawyer-to-lawyer program supported by the Colorado Bar Association and is available to all lawyers, judges, law school students, and graduates. The focus of the Peer Assistance Program is on helping those who are experiencing alcohol, substance abuse, and mental health issues. This is achieved through confidential peer support, education, referral, and outreach. The peer support program offered through CLHL does not provide treatment or evaluation services. Rather, CLHL provides peer support groups in Denver and a statewide "virtual" telephone support group. All groups preserve the confidentiality of participants. In addition, four attorneys are available for direct phone contact to discuss individual's personal issue and strategies for dealing with those problems. These calls are not for emergencies -- for those, people should contact 911.

CLHL also has established a Women's Only Support Group meeting. Beginning September 19, 2011, meetings will be held the first and third Monday of the month, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Trinity Church, 1800 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203. This support group meeting will be professionally facilitated and is confidential. It is open to all women lawyers and women law students seeking support from colleagues for issues including, but not limited to pressures of the:

• legal profession
• managing a law practice,
• family balance
• law school

No registration required

Locations in Denver and Lakewood, call 303-694-7492 for more information.

An Application  can be downloaded from the Application Download page . All information about applicants and awards are confidential. Please direct your questions or a completed Application to Janet Bauer at (303) 824-5319 or jmbauer@cobar.org.