Mission Statement

NC LAP is a service of the North Carolina State Bar which provides free, confidential, non-disciplinary assistance to lawyers, judges and law students in addressing mental health issues, including problems with drugs or alcohol, and other life stresses which impair or may impair an attorney’s ability to effectively practice law. NC LAP assistance is designed to promote recovery, protect the public, prevent disciplinary problems for lawyers, and strengthen the profession.

Based on data beginning in the mid-1990s, we know that LAP has actively worked with +/- 15% of the Bar (including judges) with less than half of one percent involved in any discipline or regulatory process. One of the primary goals of LAP is to provide assistance to lawyers before any problems become debilitating or cause a lawyer to commit an ethical violation. Contacting LAP before a problem escalates is one of the best investments you can make, which is why we offer counseling, support, and referrals to any North Carolina lawyer or judge seeking our services for help with any issue. Despite this recent national focus on wholistic lawyer well-being, the trend continues that lawyers typically do not seek assistance in the early stages of any mental health issue. So, LAP is uniquely positioned and experienced in working with those who are dealing with more severe issues that may be starting to interfere with their practices.