April 21, 2010 – In 1984, Ted Mazza’s legal career came to an abrupt end. A 1965 Marquette Law School graduate, Mazza found himself disbarred with a serious alcohol problem − the source that contributed to his misconduct. He needed help. In May of 1985, he called the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP), formerly Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers.
“I spoke with a pleasant lady who kept me on the phone for three and half hours,” Mazza said. “She made me promise to attend an area support group meeting the next day. I went, and that was the beginning of a new life for me.”
Since then, Mazza has volunteered his time to counsel those facing substance abuse and other problems. He co-founded Vision Unita Incorporated, an outpatient treatment clinic that offers services to minorities who are underserved through other community programs. Over the past 25 years, Mazza has assisted with nearly 60 interventions and counseled others while working towards his own recovery. He worked jobs in other fields to pay the bills.
In April of 2002, Mazza’s Wisconsin law license was reinstated. In November of 2002, he became a WisLap volunteer and began serving as a WisLAP committee member in 2005. He and some 100 other WisLAP volunteers take calls from the WisLAP hotline to counsel fellow lawyers and judges about the wide range of problems they face. Callers can remain anonymous, and WisLAP is exempt from reporting professional misconduct to the Office of Lawyer Regulation or the Judicial Commission. As part of his participation, Mazza has supported many others through struggles that were impacting their work as an attorney. On May 6, at the State Bar’s Annual Convention, he will be honored as WisLAP’s Volunteer of the Year.
WisLAP Committee Chairperson Kathryn L. Norton noted Mazza’s exemplary service to peer assistance and consistent committee participation as primary reasons for choosing him for the award. In addition, Norton mentioned his humanistic approach to volunteerism.
“Ted is very responsive to requests for assistance,” Norton said. “He travels to meet people, writes letters and emails, visits the home or office – he goes above and beyond to help his colleagues find resources, treatment options, and additional support. Ted demonstrates a commitment to the program by serving on subcommittees, following through with promised work and remaining upbeat and encouraging to staff, committee workers, and members.”
Reducing stress or inducing sleep through alcohol or other substances can often lead to more stress and less sleep, Mazza noted. Mazza also noted that since consultation through WisLAP is completely confidential, lawyers should not hesitate to consider that one call can make a difference in the long-term success of his or her personal and professional well-being.
WisLAP will present the award for Volunteer of the Year May 6 at the Annual Convention’s Volunteer Recognition and Member Networking Celebration starting at 6:15 p.m. at the Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison.
Visit wisbar.org for a complete list of this year’s award recipients.
