The goal of The Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program is to provide confidential, non-disciplinary help to lawyers, judges, law students, bar applicants and other members of the legal community who are experiencing personal or professional impairment as a result of substance abuse or mental health issues.
Assistance helps prevent disciplinary problems for the lawyer, protects the client, supports the lawyer’s family and professional associates, as well as strengthens the profession.
Specifically, VJLAP provides the following services, without fee:
- Substance abuse and mental health education for the profession through Bar associations, firms and law schools.
- Information and referral for individuals and colleagues
- Assessment and treatment referral
- Intervention
- Compliance monitoring for courts and firms
- Support services for family and staff
- Assessments as requested by the Board of Bar Examiners, Character and Fitness Committee
- Assessments, treatment referral and monitoring as requested by the Virginia State Bar, Disciplinary Committee and the involved lawyer, as disposition or diversion
- Support for those in treatment and recovery