| THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Lawyers Helping Lawyers – How Can I Help? By John Starzynski Law is a noble profession, demanding much of us from our clients, the public and to and from each other. Sometimes, our professional obligation, ie to report another lawyer for improper conduct, is not a difficult decision – for failed undertakings, misapplication or misappropriation of trust funds, or even regusing to respond to letters or telephone calls. But, we would not be human or collegial if we did not make superhuman efforts to do one more thing to help a lawyer to meet his or her professional obligations. Often, instances of improper conduct arise from emotional, mental, or family disturbances, or substance abuse. Lawyers who suffer from such problems should be encouraged to seek assistance as early as possible. There ar eno magiv rules, like civil procedure, to deal with human behaviour and illness. Patience, listening, and understanding are needed to give the distressed lawyer the trust and confidence to seek and get help. Lawyers Helping Lawyers tells us about our duty to our colleagues, fellow practitioners and friends. If you see another lawyer who needs help with stress, burnout, addictions or mental health issues, please call the Ontario Lawyers' Assistance Program – a network of peer volunteers who help by listening and getting the appropriate help for lawyers in distress, in complete confidentiality. BACK TO MAIN STARZYNSKI ARTICLES PAGE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE (MS WORD)
Legal Profession Assistance Conference (LPAC) |Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) | Lawyers Assistance Program of British Columbia (BCLAP) | Nova Scotia Lawyers Assistance Program (NSLAP) | Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) | The Lawyers Assistance Program (LINK) | The Alberta Lawyers Assistance Program | Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (Saskatchewan) | The Lawyers Professional Indemnity Company (LawPRO) | Law Practice Consulting |
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