Help for a Colleague in Crisis
If you’ve noticed troubling changes in a fellow lawyer’s behavior, work performance, or wellbeing, trust your instincts. LCLPA offers free, confidential support and guidance to help you approach them with care and possibly save their career or life.
You’ve Noticed a Change, Now What?
When a fellow lawyer begins to show signs of distress such as mood changes, isolation, or declining work quality it can be difficult to know what to do. You may feel hesitant to get involved, unsure of how to help, or afraid of making the situation worse. But taking that first step to reach out, even just to ask questions, can be a life-changing act of support.
At LCLPA, we provide confidential, no-obligation guidance to help you navigate this delicate situation with care and compassion. Our staff can assist you in crafting a respectful and effective approach that encourages your colleague to get the help they need without judgment, pressure, or exposure. Whether you choose to remain anonymous or share limited details, your call is always private and protected. By reaching out, you’re showing leadership, empathy, and a commitment to the well-being of your colleague and your profession.
Services We Offer to the Legal Community
Confidential Help for Lawyers
The demands of practicing law can lead to stress, depression, and substance use.
We offer confidential support.
Confidential Help for Family Members
Judges face unique stress and are not immune to depression or substance use.
We’re here to help confidentially.
Confidential Help for Law Students
Law school stress can impact physical and mental health. You’re not alone we provide support without judgment.
Why Should I Help a Lawyer in Distress?
When a lawyer is silently struggling with mental health or substance use issues, the impact can extend beyond their own wellbeing—to their clients, their firm, and the credibility of the legal system itself. Left unaddressed, these challenges may lead to serious consequences.
By reaching out to LCLPA, you play a vital role in protecting both your colleague and the integrity of the profession. Many legal professionals in distress are hesitant to seek help on their own. Your decision to take action could be the turning point that safeguards a career—and potentially saves a life.
Understanding Your Duty and the Power of Confidentiality
As members of a self-regulating profession, lawyers have a responsibility to uphold the integrity of the legal system and protect the public’s trust. According to Rule 8.3(a) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct:
“A lawyer who knows that another lawyer has committed a violation… that raises a substantial question as to that lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer… shall inform the appropriate professional authority. This rule does not require disclosure of information otherwise protected by Rule 1.6 or information gained while participating in an approved lawyers assistance program.”
LCLPA is the Commonwealth’s officially approved assistance program.
Comment 7 reinforces this protection:
“Providing for an exception encourages lawyers and judges to seek treatment… Without such an exception, they may hesitate to get help, increasing the risk of harm to themselves, their clients, and the public.”
Rule 5.1 also reminds supervising attorneys of their duty to ensure compliance with professional standards through reasonable oversight.
Dangerous Myths That Keep Lawyers From Getting Help
Misconceptions and stigma often prevent people from seeking support. Let’s break the silence around these common but harmful beliefs:
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“Attorneys don’t suffer from addiction or mental illness.”
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“Addiction is a sign of weak character or moral failure.”
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“They’ll get better on their own eventually.”
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“It’s not my place to say anything.”
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“If I speak up, I’ll hurt my relationship with them.”
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“Addressing this issue will ruin their career or reputation.”
The truth? The only real mistake is doing nothing. Speaking up—compassionately and confidentially—can change, or even save, someone’s life and career.
100% Confidential & Judgment Free Help
Everything you share with LCLPA stays completely private. Protected by Pennsylvania law, our services are entirely confidential and judgment-free because you deserve real, compassionate support.
Peer Support from Fellow Legal Professionals
Speak with someone who understands. Our volunteer network includes lawyers, judges, and law students in recovery who’ve been in your shoes and want to help.
Comprehensive Help for the Legal Profession
Whether you’re a lawyer, judge, law student, or a concerned family member, we offer tailored resources, compassionate referrals, and personalized assistance for your unique situation.
“I didn’t know where to turn when everything in my life started falling apart. The pressure of my practice, my mental health, and my personal life was too much. LCLPA connected me with a lawyer in recovery who had walked a similar path. Just speaking with someone who truly understood gave me the strength to move forward.”
— Anonymous Attorney
Stand Up for Your Colleague’s Well-Being
If you’re concerned about a colleague, don’t wait. Your call to LCLPA is 100% confidential—and could be the first step toward saving a career, a reputation, or even a life. We’re here to help you help them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Confidential Support for Concerned Colleagues
If you’re unsure how to approach a colleague’s troubling behavior or what happens when you contact LCLPA these answers will guide you.