The mission of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL), a non-profit organization, is to “promote well-being and resilience in the legal community, improve lives, nurture competence, and elevate the standing of the legal profession.” While we have been engaged in this important work for nearly 50 years, we continue to hear that many in our legal community do not know we exist or all the services we offer. A 2023 survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago showed that the leading reasons lawyers fail to seek help are stigma and fear of punishment. LCL provides assessment and consultation for addiction, substance use challenges, mental health concerns, and law office management. Some examples of support groups offered are:
- Mindfulness for Busy Legal Professionals
- Yoga for Busy Legal Professionals
- LCL Addiction Recovery Peer Support
- Practicing Law with ADHD, and
- SuperMom: Support for Lawyers
Our services are free. A portion of bar dues collected from lawyers is allocated to our work. As a result, we do not charge for these basic services to lawyers and members of the legal community.
Our services are confidential. The Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.6(d) protects communications of clients seeking services from LCL, the same as communications between lawyers and their clients. In addition, those seeking mental health treatment receive the same protections every person receives regarding their treatment information. That means LCL does not disclose client information without the client’s consent or a court order. It also means that seeking treatment or consulting LCL for law office management will not be the basis of any disciplinary action.
Our clinical staff are licensed professionals with many years of experience, including some who specialize in addiction treatment. After providing clients with a one-on-one assessment, our clinical staff assists the client in accessing the help they need in the community.
Our Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) is run by experienced Law Office Advisors to assist attorneys with technology, marketing, ethics, and practice management needs. Law office management can sometimes be negatively impacted by substance use and mental health challenges.
Our knowledgeable and experienced professionals are available to provide educational presentations to legal employers, law firms, bar associations, judges, law schools and agencies throughout Massachusetts. The goal of these programs is to raise awareness of our services, provide education about the impact that substance use and mental health conditions have, as well as help the legal community achieve and maintain its well-being.
