In the News
LAP Volunteer Training Program on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Volunteers are the foundation of the Lawyers’ Assistance Program. If you are interested in becoming a LAP volunteer, consider attending a Volunteer Training Session on Thursday, June 7, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at Loyola School of Law in Chicago.
Information will include alcoholism and drug addiction; family dynamics and denial; understanding mental health; helping colleagues through peer assistance; and helping impaired lawyers through intervention. There will be lecture, video presentations, role play, and a special lunch time speaker.
Six MCLE professionalism and ethics credits are available for this event. There is no charge for attending, but space is limited and registrations are required. For more information or to register for the volunteer training, contact Bridget McLaughlin at 312-726-6607 or email her at bmclaughlin@illinoislap.org.
Do you need professionalism and ethics MCLE credits?
Two of LAP’s most popular MCLE presentations are now available on this website. Each is one hour long, free of charge, and qualifies for the professionalism and ethics requirement.
“Striving for Balance in a High Stress Job” addresses the challenges of life/work balance for lawyers and includes practical, healthy solutions for dealing with the lawyer’s world.
“The Impaired Lawyer: When a Colleague Needs Help” focuses on the addiction and mental health problems that sometimes interfere with a lawyer’s ability to work effectively and manage a satisfying personal life. It includes suggestions on how to reach out to colleagues, friends, or family members who may be struggling with these issues.
To experience either of these programs, click on the large photo on the home page and select the MCLE Online option. If you are viewing these programs for MCLE credit, sign in with your email address and your lawyer registration number. If you are viewing them because of general interest and do not require the MCLE certification, simply enter a “0” in place of a lawyer registration number.
Lawrence Scanlon has joined the Lawyers’ Assistance Program staff as Clinical Case Manager.
Larry is working three days a week in our Chicago office receiving calls for assistance, following up with clients, and facilitating two weekly groups — one for lawyers struggling with depression and the other a group for women attorneys who want support for a variety of issues. He is an attorney with a private practice as well as an addiction and mental health clinician.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Larry received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University School of Law and his clinical training at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. In his private clinical practice at The New Center (The Carl Rogers Institute), he provides psychotherapeutic and counseling services to children, adolescents, and adult clients in a private practice.
Robin Belleau is Clinical Director of Lawyers’ Assistance Program and is in our Chicago office receiving calls for assistance for addiction and mental health issues.
Robin combines a background in law and in clinical counseling. She received her Juris Doctor with honors from Northern Illinois University of Law in 1995 and a Master’s Degree with honors in Counseling from Northern Illinos University in 2006.
She practiced law for eight years before becoming a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. During her tenure in the law, she was a DuPage County Senior Assistant Public Defender, a Kane County State’s Attorney, and then entered into private practice with a speciality in criminal defense, real estate, and family law.
Robin has experience in both addiction and mental health. She has previously worked for Advocate Medical Group in DesPlaines, the F.A.I.R. Program, and most recently in private practice with Todd and Lewis-Todd. She is highly qualified to conduct individual and group counseling, perform assessments, and provide case management services to those who seek assistance from the Lawyers’ Assistance Program. She is also available for MCLE presentations on addiction, mental health, and work/life balance issues.
Robin takes over the clinical responsibilities from Susan Riegler, who has left LAP for marriage, a geographical move, and new career options.
Another important date! The 2012 LAP Annual Dinner will be Friday, November 9, 2012 at the Union League Club of Chicago.
Tickets are $100. For reservations, contact the Chicago LAP office at 312-726-6607 or 800-LAP-1233.
25th ABA Annual Conference for Lawyer Assistance Programs
The ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs will hold its annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 9 through 12, 2012.
The conference will have sessions of interest to lawyers, judges, disciplinary staff, bar leaders, law school administrators, and law firm managers, as well as abundant opportunities to network with LAP personnel and volunteers involved in lawyer assistance programs across the United States and Canada.
The program will include such varied topics as: recovery mind; assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of sex and pornography addiction; cognitive impairments; compulsive gambling; best practices in law schools; motivational interviewing; addiction treatment; and intervention for lawyers.
For more information, go to the ABA website: www.abanet.org/colap