November 2004

WisLAP trains volunteers to assist troubled lawyers; recognizes individual contributions

The Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) sponsored a training day in October for attorneys who answer calls to WisLAP's hotline. WisLAP provides confidential, meaningful assistance to lawyers, judges, law students, and their families in coping with alcoholism and other chemical addiction, depression, acute and chronic anxiety, and problems related to the stress of practicing law.

WisLAP immediate past chair Jim Collis (left) receives award for his longstanding support of the program from cochair Jim Cole.

More than 50 WisLAP Committee members, trained attorney volunteers, representatives from related LAP groups in Wisconsin, and surrounding state LAP directors attended the all-day program at the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison. The role of the trained volunteer is carefully delineated as a listening and helping role as opposed to the treatment role that is performed by trained professionals.

WisLAP is staffed by Shell Goar, program coordinator, and Linda Rothermel, program assistant. Attorney Gregory Van Rybroek, a licensed psychologist and clinical director at the Mendota Mental Health Institute, trains WisLAP volunteers and cochairs the WisLAP Committee with attorney James R. Cole.

"In March, the State Bar Board of Governors approved additional funding for outreach efforts to educate attorneys about the WisLAP program and to improve the services we provide," says Van Rybroek. "We are delighted to offer this program to those who make WisLAP a success."

Presenters offered insight on various topics. Van Rybroek presented techniques to become better listeners. Dr. David Mays, Mendota Mental Health Institute, addressed suicide risk assessment and prevention. Dennis Frank, New Vision, Milwaukee, discussed drug and alcohol intervention. Dr. Tom Shroyer, LAP director, Minnesota State Bar, discussed shame's powerful effect and its role in the life and death of lawyers.

"Helping lawyers seek treatment for their stress, depression, and alcoholism is important work," says Goar. "We have already started to plan next year's program."

Awards. Immediate past chair Jim Collis and Mary Alice Coan were recognized for their long-standing support of WisLAP. Cole, who presented the awards, said, "Jim and Mary Alice were pioneers in spearheading the merger of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers with the State Bar's Lawyers Assistance Program in 1996. Their efforts have resulted in a strong program with immeasurable benefits for Wisconsin lawyers and their families."

About WisLAP. WisLAP treats each request for help with the same confidentiality as a lawyer-client relationship. WisLAP is exempt from reporting professional misconduct to the Office of Lawyer Regulation under Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 20:8.3(c). It does not require callers to disclose their identity, does not use any "caller ID" devices, and does not keep any case records. Family members, professional associates, and concerned others who seek help in dealing with these issues also are treated confidentially.