Lawyer Assistance Program

Lawyers Helping Lawyers Groups

Local Lawyers Helping Lawyers groups exist throughout the state and are often affiliated with county bar associations. The following counties have LHLs. If you wish to learn more about your local group, click through to be brought to the bar’s website or reach out to the LAP Director, Stacey Whiteley, [email protected]  to be connected to a member of your local LHL.

Albany/Capital District (see below), Erie, Jefferson, Kings, Monroe, Nassau, New York City, Onondaga, Queens, Suffolk, Tompkins

The Capital District Lawyers Helping Lawyers

The CDLHL meets on the first Wednesdays of each month at 12:30 pm virtually, with in-person meetings on occasion. On the third Fridays of each month the group meets virtually at 12:00 pm

Link for first Wednesdays at 12:30 pm: Click Here

Link for third Fridays at 12:30 pm: Click Here

Co-Chairs: Thomas Nicotera, Esq. and Peter Walsh, Esq.

Questions or for more information email Stacey Whiteley, [email protected].

CDLHL Background

The CDLHL began in May 2007 as a local group of lawyers in recovery wanting to provide help for other lawyers struggling with alcohol and substance use issues. The scope of the CDLHL expanded over the years to include lawyers, law students and judges who are struggling with mental health issues both large and small such as anxiety, grief, gambling disorder, depression, and anger management. The CDLHL welcomes anyone in the profession who is having difficulties in their personal or professional lives to join us for connection and support.

The CDLHL is a peer led support group that is supported by the New York State Bar Association’s Lawyer Assistance Program (NYSBA LAP). Although not an official standing committee of NYSBA, the CDLHL is recognized as a NYSBA affiliated group and receives staff support, has an online community, and has access to NYSBA’s Bar Center and resources for its meetings and events. There are no dues associated with involvement with the CDLHL, and NYSBA membership, while encouraged, is not required.

Mission

The mission of the Capital District Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee is to give confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, law students, and other members of the legal profession struggling with alcoholism, substance abuse and dependence, other addictions, depression, and mental health problems that threaten or impair professional and personal life.  Within the statewide Lawyer Assistance Program of the New York State Bar Association, the Committee has two goals: To give the bench and bar a better understanding of these conditions through appropriate education and dialogue, and to give colleagues in recovery hope and confidence through our example.  The services we offer to members of the legal profession and their families include outreach, education, prevention, consultation, intervention, referral, peer support, and mentoring.

Meetings

The CDLHL holds virtual meetings on the first Wednesday of the month at 12:30 pm. Occasionally, these meetings are hybrid and are held at the Bar Center and over Zoom. The group also holds a virtual-only meeting on the third Friday of the month at 12:00 pm. Each meeting is structured a bit differently, but in general the meetings start with introductions, then a topical reading and open discussion.

The CDLHL’s work include outreach to local bar associations, providing public service announcements for CLE programming, developing educational programming, planning the annual dinner, and volunteering with the LAP as peer support, monitors, and program speakers.

Membership in NYSBA is not required and there is no cost to participate. All communications are confidential.

Events

Each May, at its Wednesday meeting, the CDLHL hosts a hybrid celebratory birthday lunch during its regular meeting sponsored by the LAP. Members, current and past, attend this annual event.

Each November, the CDLHL awards the “Ray of Hope” award to an outstanding volunteer. The dinner is always well attended and a wonderful celebration to thank all those who have volunteered and participated in the CDLHL.

Confidentiality

The CDLHL, as a recognized group under the LAP and its associated Lawyer Assistance Committee, is protected under Judiciary Law Section 499 which states:

1. Confidential information privileged.  The confidential relations and communications between a member or authorized agent of a lawyer assistance committee sponsored by a state or local bar association and any person, firm or corporation communicating with such committee, its members or authorized agents shall be deemed to be privileged on the same basis as those provided by law between attorney and client.  Such privilege may be waived only by the person, firm or corporation which has furnished information to the committee.

2. Immunity from liability.  Any person, firm or corporation in good faith providing information to, or in any other way participating in the affairs of, any of the committees referred to in subdivision one of this section shall be immune from civil liability that might otherwise result by reason of such conduct.  For the purpose of any proceeding, the good faith of any such person, firm or corporation shall be presumed.

This allows for an open dialogue between members of the CDLHL and with LAP staff and with any other individuals who are acting as an authorized agent of the LAC without concern of disclosure.