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    July 23, 2025
  • July 23, 2025

    Volunteer to Support Your Peers: WisLAP's Annual Training is Aug. 25

    Wisconsin attorneys can volunteer to support their peers via the State Bar of Wisconsin's Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP). This year's annual training is Aug. 25 in Madison – submit your interest form by Aug. 1.
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    July 23, 2025 – Interested in helping your colleagues in a substantial way?

    Peer support volunteers with the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) provide individualized support to colleagues in need. We encourage all interested lawyers and judges to consider serving as peer support volunteers.

    Each year, WisLAP provides training to attorneys interested in volunteering in peer support roles. WisLAP is currently accepting interest forms from lawyers and judges for WisLAP’s Aug. 25, 2025, training, 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. at the State Bar Center in Madison.

    WisLAP welcomes interested lawyers and judges to complete the volunteer interest form by Aug. 1, 2025.

    About WisLAP Volunteering

    WisLAP asks peer support volunteers to make a minimum one-year commitment to offering individualized peer-to-peer support with colleagues in need. Most peer support volunteers spend three hours or less each month supporting other attorneys.

    Volunteers work with WisLAP staff regularly and collaboratively to ensure each attorney or judge receives the assistance they need to maintain their license, practice ethically, and thrive while lawyering.

    Volunteers provide support, guidance, and understanding to fellow lawyers in Wisconsin on various topics, including work/life balance, stress, work politics, substance use, and much more. By sharing their own lived experiences and understanding, peer support volunteers support the well-being of their peers, give back to their community, and cultivate a supportive legal culture in Wisconsin.

    This Year’s WisLAP Training is Aug. 25 – Apply by Aug. 1

    Lawyers and judges in good standing may apply to serve as peer support volunteers. The first step in the process is to complete the volunteer interest form by August 1, 2025. Participants will be confirmed the week of August 4. The program will be submitted to the Board of Bar Examiners for LAU credits.

    This year’s specialized training offers an interactive format for a small group of new and returning volunteers drawn from the pool of people interested in these roles. The training includes:

    • an overview of WisLAP and how it serves the state’s legal professionals;

    • an introduction to peer support among lawyers;

    • a review of some of the most common mental health challenges lawyers experience; and

    • experiential and scenario-based opportunities to practice skills in reflective, non-judgmental listening, motivational interviewing, and navigating the deep confidentiality practices required by WisLAP.

    Questions? Please contact the WisLAP staff:

    Amber Ault, Ph.D., MSW
    WisLAP Manager
    aault@wisbar.org

    Cara Lamusga, MSW
    WisLAP Member Coordinator
    clamusga@wisbar.org

    What is WisLAP?

    The State Bar of Wisconsin's Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) offers confidential support, consultations, and education related to mental health and wellness for lawyers. WisLAP aims to develop a culture within the Wisconsin legal community that fosters work-life balance and destigmatizes mental illness and substance use disorders.

    WisLAP needs volunteers – the program has a long history of support from Wisconsin lawyer volunteers. We are especially grateful to those who have trained and served as volunteer peer supports and volunteer peer monitors.

    WisLAP services are a benefit of your State Bar membership and available to everyone in the legal community. Learn more about WisLAP.

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