Erica Grigg credits the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program with saving her life. This month, she became director of the 37-year-old program. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) provides confidential help, referrals, and peer assistance programs to lawyers, judges, and law students experiencing mental health or substance use disorders. “Years ago, I reached out to TLAP … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, February 19. Dear Member, We know many of you have been dealing with extended power outages, water service disruptions, and other emergencies. This time of hardship is stressing our families and our livelihoods. Warmer temperatures are coming, but recovery from this hardship may … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, February 12. Dear Member, This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other State Bar of Texas information. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Supreme Court of Texas Emergency Order The Texas Supreme … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program has launched a video counterpart to its “Stories of Recovery” that are featured on the Texas Bar Blog. “This ‘Stories of Recovery’ will be one with diverse stories but many of the things about these stories are similar, which is the path to recovery,” TLAP Director Chris Ritter said. “I … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program will present “Well-Being for Law Students and Grads Studying for the Bar Exam,” from noon to 1 p.m. CDT on July 29. The webinar can be viewed on Zoom and will be recorded for later viewings. Additionally, TLAP recently produced a program for law students and graduates dealing with anxiety … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s “Remote Well-Being Wednesdays: A Coronavirus Series” will take place weekly through April 15, offering attorneys a resource for tending to their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The programs will take place from noon to 1 p.m. CDT via Zoom on the following dates. April 1 “Being at Home Boot Camp”—TLAP … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas President Randy Sorrels and Executive Director Trey Apffel sent the following message to members on Friday. We hope this message finds you safe and well. We are writing to share the latest updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Orders and Travel Authorization for Lawyers Many … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas President Randy Sorrels and Executive Director Trey Apffel sent the following message to members on Monday. As the State Bar of Texas and Texas courts continue to adjust operations to the new realities of the coronavirus pandemic, we are reaching out to share important updates. MCLE Deadlines Extended We … Continue Reading
“Lately it occurs to me — What a long strange trip it’s been.” — The Grateful Dead Editor’s note: This post was originally published on August 22, 2014. Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP), text TLAP to … Continue Reading
San Antonio attorney and State Bar of Texas Past President Allan K. DuBois will receive the inaugural Community Champion Award from the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness, or SACADA, on October 31.… Continue Reading
TexasBarCLE is offering a free half-hour presentation about the impact of addictions and mental health impairments on the lives of attorneys. “What Lawyers Need to Know about Depression and Suicide” will be held from 12:30 to 1 p.m. September 10 via live webcast (the video will be available to watch for credit through August 31, … Continue Reading
I drank my first full beer at age 9. It was decades ago, but I remember it vividly. My parents were having a party and my childhood best friend and I stealthily looted two Coors Lights from the cooler and retreated to a back room.… Continue Reading
Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. On the good days, I just felt like I was going to throw up at the courthouse. On the bad days, I would excuse myself … Continue Reading
The 30th Annual Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Convention will be held from May 31 to June 2, 2019, at the Austin Marriott South. The convention will feature national speakers discussing current research on mental health, substance abuse recovery, and how to maintain a more balanced professional life. Attendees will be able to earn up … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas’ Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program has taken the innovative step of adding a sitting judge to its staff of experts to reach out to fellow jurists about issues such as stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and other mental health matters. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) has always served judges as well … Continue Reading
More and more people are focusing on wellness and well-being, a movement that has been around for decades and gained mainstream media attention in the past couple of years. In fact, the July issue of the Texas Bar Journal focuses on lawyer wellness and well-being with articles on brain health, how meaningful work boosts well-being, … Continue Reading
Bree Buchanan, director of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, was honored for her research and outreach on mental health and substance abuse disorders within the legal profession. Buchanan, who is co-chair of the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being and co-authored the task force’s report, “The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change,” … Continue Reading
The 29th Annual Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Convention will take place on June 1-3 at the Austin Marriott South. The convention will feature national speakers sharing their thoughts about current research on mental health, substance abuse recovery, and maintaining a more balanced professional life. Attendees will also have a chance to earn at least 6 hours … Continue Reading
The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division will host a Twitter Chat focused on mental health and addiction during the holidays. Brian Cuban, author of The Addicted Lawyer, and Bree Buchanan, director of the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, will be joined by members of the Michigan Bar and Florida Bar as they respond to questions … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program receives calls almost weekly about a lawyer loss by suicide. In fact, 11 percent of lawyers have had suicidal thoughts at some point in their career. Will you make a commitment to help another lawyer and to help yourself? If you are experiencing substance abuse or depression and anxiety, call … Continue Reading
A new video from the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, featuring TLAP Director Bree Buchanan and Austin psychiatrist Robert Cantu, focuses on identifying post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, after Hurricane Harvey. In The Trauma of Harvey: Identifying PTSD in Yourself and Others, Buchanan and Cantu discuss the symptoms of and treatment for PTSD after a natural … Continue Reading
