Confidential Assistance for Attorneys

By rule of the Colorado Supreme Court, there are two programs that offer assistance to attorneys. Both the Colorado Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP) and the Peer Assistance Program (CLHL) 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 be available through the Waterman Fund.

CAAP (through Mines & Associates) is a national psychology firm specializing in health and organizational psychology programs. CAAP services are available throughout the state of Colorado and nationally twenty-four hours a day. CAAP offers services related to depression, drug/alcohol concerns, psychological issues, stress, and many other areas. The CAAP program offers a free initial consultation as well as three free follow-up sessions. Mines & Associates will also work with an attorney’s insurance carrier should additional treatment be necessary. Mines & Associates may be reached at 800-873-7138 or 303-832-1068 twenty-four hours a day.

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; those services are available through the attorney’s health program (Mines & Associates, Inc.) Rather, CLHL has contracted with Peer Assistance Services, Inc., to provide peer support groups in most major cities throughout the state.

For a list of CLHL’s meeting times and locations, click here.

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.