Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program

WisLAP is a member service of the State Bar of Wisconsin which provides free confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, law students, and their families in coping with any substance abuse or dependence, mental health challenges, or other stressors which negatively impact the quality of life and the practice of law. The program is designed to help members and their families build on their strengths and to provide support through offering services that promote physical, mental, and emotional health.

We do not provide legal advice or give lawyer referrals. Click here if you are seeking legal advice or need to find a lawyer.

WisLAP Contact Information:

24 hour helpline: (800) 543-2625
Manager: Julia Persike (800) 444-9404 ext. 6159
Administrative Coordinator: Tamra Paulson (800) 444-9404 ext. 6098

How We Can Help

Initial evaluation
Referrals
Peer assistance
Consultation
Education, including CLE programs
Outreach
Intervention

Who We Serve

Law Students
Bar applicants
Attorneys (in good standing, suspended, disbarred, re-instatement candidates)
Judges
Family members
Colleagues
Other concerned parties

It is the responsibility of the legal community to help our colleagues. WisLAP is based upon the premise of Lawyers Helping Lawyers and Judges Helping Judges. We have over 150 trained volunteer lawyers and judges, who understand what you go through, to offer support and guidance. Interested in becoming a volunteer? Click Here

What Happens When You Call WisLAP?

	We Listen Whether it’s for your needs or someone else’s, mental health professionals are available 24/7, 365 days a year to answer your call.
	We Keep It Confidential You can call anonymously, and your call and its contents are confidential (SCR 10:10.05(4)(m)(3)). WisLAP is exempt from reporting misconduct (SCR 20:8.3 (c)).
	We Reach Out If you call because you’re concerned about someone else, we’ll reach out to them on your behalf — without identifying you — and start a conversation.
	We Provide Options We can recommend appropriate resources and programs — including support groups, treatment programs, or our network of 150+ trained attorney peer volunteers. You are not obligated to continue working with us, or take our advice.
	We Consult If you want to be the one to have a difficult conversation with an attorney or colleague, but you’re unsure about the best approach, we’ll advise you on how to help.
	We Put It All Together If you or someone you know is struggling with something that is negatively impacting quality of life and the practice of law, we can help turn things around.

Downloads

WisLAP is exempt from reporting professional misconduct to the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) under Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 20:8.3(c)(2) and to the Judicial Commission under Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 60.04(3). WisLAP does not require callers to disclose their identity and does not keep any case records.