NYSBA Spring Retreat

WELCOME!

The New York State Court of Appeals created the Lawyer Assistance Trust to provide statewide leadership and financial assistance to programs for the treatment and prevention of alcohol and substance dependency among lawyers, judges and law students in New York State.  In 2006, that mission was expanded to include addressing mental health concerns among members of the profession.

Our Grant Program, a unique feature of the Trust, offers financial support to Bar Associations and foundations and law schools seeking to develop new programs or enhance existing programs of education and prevention, outreach and service. Eligible applicants are invited to submit their applications online.  Grants awarded in 2006 will enable the New York State, New York City and Nassau County Bar Associations to enhance their lawyer assistance programs by retaining part-time staffers to provide outreach and clinical services for the profession.

We've organized several projects to enhance understanding of the subject at law schools, including our conference "Meeting Our Responsibilities: Substance Abuse and Law Schools", an examination of the role of law schools in addressing alcohol and substance abuse in the legal profession.  You can view streaming video of portions of the speakers' remarks at the "events" tab, along with text.  We have facilitated meetings with law school administrators and LAP Directors and volunteers, particularly with the goal of supporting newly-appointed student LAP representatives. The "Course in a Box", a curriculum module for use in law school, has been distributed and included in a "Tool Kit" for law school administrators prepared by the American Bar Association.  Our latest project is a new brochure describing the Character and Fitness process for bar applicants, prepared with the intent of de-mystifying what information must be reported and what impact it may have, giving law students the information they need to recognize that having sought treatment for alcohol or substance abuse or mental health concerns, or being in the status of a recovering alcoholic or addict, are not grounds for denial of admission to the bar.

This site also makes information about available lawyer assistance services throughout the State very easy to find-check out our resources tab.   You may read our latest Annual Report and the newsletters under the publications tab. A bibliography of books, articles and reports, prepared by the ABA's Commission on Lawyer Assistance Program's Law School Outreach Committee now appears under the "Resources" tab at "related links":  check it out!  Last, but not least, we have an enhanced calendar of events and the start of a listing of "lawyers only" AA meeting around the State, under "Events."

We welcome you to browse our site and learn how the Trust -- and the organized bar -- are addressing the pressing aspects of the problems of alcohol and substance dependency in the profession. With information, outreach, affirmative programs, and financial support, we are making a difference.

 Barbara F. Smith, Executive Director