CONTRACT AWARDED FOR LAWYERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Connecticut judicial branch recently awarded Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers-- Connecticut, Inc., (LCL) with the contract to provide services for the state’s new Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP). LCL, a 501c(3) entity, is comprised primarily of lawyers in recovery, and is an outgrowth of the Connecticut Bar Association’s (CBA) Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Committee. The goal of the new program is to provide assistance to Connecticut lawyers with alcohol and drug addiction, depression, anxiety, compulsive disorders (including gambling ), stress or other distress that impairs a lawyer’s ability to function.

It is anticipated that the program will be up and running by November with Attorney William C. Leary serving as the program’s executive director on a pro bono basis until a permanent director can be hired. Leary, a partner at O’Malley, Deneen, Leary, Messina and Oswecki in Windsor Locks, has been actively involved with the CBA’s Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers Committee since 1995 and with the American Bar Association’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs since 1998.

The CBA’s Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Committee was established over 20 years ago to deal with addiction and mental health problems among lawyers. However, a number of years ago, it was recognized that a much more aggressive, independent program was needed. As a result, legislation was proposed for a Lawyers’ Assistance Program; two years ago, the legislation passed, authorizing the establishment of a LAP.