About Us
Since 1988, LCL has confidentially assisted thousands of Pennsylvania lawyers, judges, their family members, and law students struggling with:
Stress Anxiety Burnout Problematic Alcohol Use Depression Bipolar Disorder
Prescription Drug Problems Illicit Drug Use Eating Disorders Problem Gambling
Compulsive Behaviors Emotional Trauma IPA/Intimate Partner Abuse Grief & Loss
Compassion Fatigue & Other Emotional and Mental Health Concerns
Who We Are
LCL is an independent, non-profit corporation run by judges and lawyers for the benefit of the Bench and Bar. We are men and women who understand the stresses of law school and legal practice. We are in and/or in support of recovery from a variety of mental health & substance use challenges. We understand these issues and we understand the pain, fear and frustration of the lawyer, judge, family member or law student who is in distress. We offer nonjudgmental, discreet and confidential assistance. We understand how difficult it can be to reach out for help, but we also know that recovery is possible.
Board of Directors
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Ned L. Spells Jr., Esq., President Robert H. Lefevre, Esq., Vice President The Honorable Ann M. Butchart, Secretary Joseph D. Holston Jr., Esq., Treasurer The Honorable William I. Arbuckle III Bruce Carsia, Esq. Patrick M. Casey, Esq. Andrew K. Fabian, Esq. Mark F. Flaherty, Esq. Matthew M. Holliday, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Bar Association The Honorable John H. Foradora
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Michele S. Haggerty, Esq. The Honorable Andrew J. Jarbola III C. Reginald Johnson, Esq. The Honorable Francine T. Lincicome Sharon R. Lopez, Esq. The Honorable Sarah C. Makin The Honorable Robert J. Rebstock Riley H. Ross III, Esq. Peter Speaker, Esq. R. Anthony Waldron, Esq.
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What We Do
Mission Statement
“To provide a caring peer assistance program to save the lives and restore the health and professional competence of Pennsylvania’s judges and lawyers, members of their families, and law students who may be facing mental health and/or substance use challenges. We carry out this mission through a combination of confidential helpline services, volunteer support and education.”
LCL is also a national leader in the development and delivery of educational programming and training on the topics of mental health, substance use and wellness. Our goal is to reduce the societal stigma attached to addiction and mental illness, increase bench and bar awareness and understanding of the nature of these illnesses, and to encourage lawyers, judges, and law students to seek the help they need.
Call us to schedule a presentation (CLE-eligible) for your firm, county bar or other legal organization. 1.800.335.2572.
LCL’s services are free, confidential, voluntary, and available to Pennsylvania lawyers, judges, their family members, and law students who may be struggling with mental health and/or substance use issues. Our menu of services includes:
- Answering any of your questions and providing general information and resources
- A referral to a qualified healthcare professional for a confidential evaluation paid for by LCL
- An accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan provided by an independent healthcare provider
- Peer support from a recovering lawyer, judge or law student who has faced and overcome similar mental health and/or substance use issues
- Information about lawyers & judges-only recovery support meetings and other mental health and recovery support groups
- Resource coordination, follow up calls and general treatment & recovery support from LCL staff
- Free literature from LCL’s comprehensive library of articles and books on the topics of mental health and substance use
- Assistance with interventions (for those individuals reaching out to LCL out of concern for a colleague or family member)
- Assistance with treatment admissions
Why We Are Here
- Lawyers that report struggles with anxiety: 61%
- Lawyers that met criteria for depression: 28%
- Lawyers that reported symptoms of stress: 23%
- Lawyers that met criteria for problematic alcohol use: 20.6%
- Lawyers that reported suicidal thoughts during their career: 11.5%
Krill, P. R., JD, Johnson, R., MA, & Albert, L., MSSW. (2016, January/February). The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 10(1), 46-52. doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000182.