The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, or TLAP, launched a new website June 1 aimed at providing information and resources to Texas lawyers, law students, and judges who are concerned for themselves or a colleague in regards to general well-being, mental health, or substance use issues. The site, tlaphelps.org, is not only easy to navigate but … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post is part of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery series. TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at (800) 343-8527 and find more information at tlaphelps.org. I was raised by hardworking and loving parents in a large Mexican-American … Continue Reading
The American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs is hosting a resilience training webinar this month. The program—which Texas Lawyers Assistance Program director Bree Buchanan helped produce—is called “Fierce & Gritty: Resilience Training for Lawyers” and aims to provide lawyers with strategies to build resilience in their lives and profession. “Developing resilience is critical … Continue Reading
With September marking National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers is hosting a panel to bring attention to the mental health issues many lawyers face and combat the stigma associated with suicide. Lawyers experience depression and mental health issues at a much higher rate than those in other professions, according to … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program of the State Bar of Texas received the Texas Suicide Prevention Council’s Leadership Award yesterday at the Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium in San Marcos. The honor was bestowed on TLAP staff attorney Chris Ritter by the TSPC, a coalition of various community-based organizations, state and local agencies, and academic institutions, … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program was featured in a nonprofit TV channel segment “Mental Health Matters: In the Workplace,” on how states and employers support their workers dealing with mental illness. The segment on Mental Health Channel, an online network of free documentary-style programming about mental health topics, looks at legislative and employer-based policies aimed … Continue Reading
Challenges with cognitive impairment facing aging lawyers take center stage in the May-June issue of the American Bar Association’s Bar Leader magazine. The feature article details efforts lawyer assistance program directors and bar leaders are making to prepare for issues related to the fact that attorneys are retiring later in life. In the piece, Texas … Continue Reading
The Patrick D. Sheeran & Michael J. Crowley Memorial Trust launched a website, sheerancrowley.org, in April aimed at making it easier to help Texas lawyers, judges, and law students with substance abuse problems, depression, and other mental health issues. Lawyers who find themselves suffering from depression or drinking too much often feel that they are alone, … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This is the 13th story in our Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program “Stories of Recovery” series, featuring attorneys in their own words on how they overcame mental health or substance abuse problems. The State Bar’s TLAP program offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call … Continue Reading
The Texas Center for Legal Ethics has contributed $30,000 to a fund that helps attorneys pay for critical mental health and substance abuse treatment.… Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This is the 12th story in our Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program “Stories of Recovery” series, featuring attorneys in their own words on how they overcame mental health or substance abuse problems. The State Bar’s TLAP program offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call … Continue Reading
Every day, Texas attorneys work to ensure that their clients' voices are heard and justice prevails. The toll of a demanding profession can leave many attorneys feeling exhausted, burnt out, and burdened by stress.… Continue Reading
The 26th Annual Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Convention will be held June 5-7 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel at the Campbell Centre in Dallas. Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, a volunteer group for lawyers in recovery, works in partnership with the Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program of the State Bar of Texas.… Continue Reading
Let's be honest. I am not grateful that I am an alcoholic. I did not go to law school with the goal of being a middle-aged probate lawyer with a drinking problem.… Continue Reading
Attorneys and legal professionals met to discuss helpful resources and topics including diversity and lawyers' health at the Hispanic National Bar Association's sixth annual Corporate Counsel Conference and 20th annual Uvaldo Herrera Moot Court Competition.… Continue Reading
When I started practicing law, I was anxious, petrified, depressed, terrified--you name it. After a couple of years, I decided I needed some help, so I sought out a business coach. She taught me to improve my performance, but more than that she taught me to eat right, exercise, meditate, and take care of myself for the long haul of a career.… Continue Reading
The Hispanic National Bar Association will host its 6th annual Corporate Counsel Conference and 20th annual Uvaldo Herrera Moot Court Competition on March 18-21 at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio.… Continue Reading
The latest episode of the Voices of Recovery podcast is now available. In Episode 4, “No More Secrets,” a Texas lawyer tells of her struggles to achieve and maintain sobriety in spite of life’s worst challenges. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, part of the State Bar of Texas, created the podcast to let bar members … Continue Reading
I've been given the precious gift of life three times; when I was born, when I got sober, and when I finally overcome an eating disorder.… Continue Reading
“Lately it occurs to me — What a long strange trip it’s been.” — The Grateful Dead Editor’s note: This is the sixth story in our Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program "Stories of Recovery" series, featuring attorneys in their own words on how they have overcome mental health or substance abuse problems. The State Bar’s TLAP program … Continue Reading
Editor's note: This is the sixth story in our Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program "Stories of Recovery" series, featuring attorneys in their own words on how they have overcome mental health or substance abuse problems. The State Bar's TLAP program offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527, and find more information at texasbar.com/TLAP.… Continue Reading
I could not open my eyes. I could hear someone calling my name but I didn't recognize the voice. I let myself drift back into unconsciousness.… Continue Reading