Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program
To be a good lawyer, one must be a healthy lawyer. Improving and protecting attorneys' well-being helps to maximize their professional competency. However, too many lawyers experience chronic stress and the profession struggles with higher than average rates of depression, problem alcohol use, and suicide.
The Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program's goal is to support Michigan legal professionals to optimize their general wellness and/or to facilitate involvement in our monitoring program. LJAP serves attorneys who are in good standing, suspended, disbarred, and candidates for reinstatement as well as law students, bar applicants, judges, family members, colleagues, and others.
All services offered by LJAP are confidential as regulated by HIPAA. Services include:
Here to help
Contact us at contactljap@michbar.org, (800) 996-5522, or using this online form.
VIRTUAL WELLNESS EVENT
The State Bar of Michigan will host a free virtual wellness event featuring Katy Goshtasbi, whose presentation, "Emotional Resonance Factor: The Secret to Your Thriving Practice," will focus on enhancing emotional resonance for a more fulfilling legal career and personal life. The 90-minute Zoom event is noon, Friday, May 2, 2025. Free to all State Bar of Michigan members, the seminar kicks off recognition of Well-Being in the Law Week, celebrated nationwide the first week of May. Learn more or register here.
VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP
New virtual support group for attorneys starting soon! The State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program is offering a free, confidential virtual support group for attorneys to help each other work through stress, improve their overall well-being to maximize professional competency, and connect with their peers. Our next sessions begin April 2, 2025, and continues through May 21, 2025. Contact us to sign up and learn more here.
WELL-BEING IN THE LAW
The Michigan Supreme Court created the Commission on Well-Being in the Law September 20, 2023, in response to a task force report calling for a series of reforms. The Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program is a partner in this effort. Learn more about the ongoing work to improve lawyer wellbeing here.