Confidential Assistance for Attorneys

By rule of the Colorado Supreme Court, there are two programs that offer assistance to attorneys, the Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP) and the Colorado Lawyers Helping Lawyers (CLHL). Both programs offer information regarding additional resources that are available to attorneys. Financial assistance for attorneys may be available through the Waterman Fund.

Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP)

The Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP) is the free, confidential, and independent program for our legal community. Call COLAP at 303-986-3345, email at [email protected], or go to www.coloradolap.org. All calls and emails are confidential. COLAP offers free well-being consultations for topics such as: Stress & Burn-out * Secondary Trauma & Compassion Fatigue * Work-life balance * Free ethics CLE presentations on well-being * Improving well-being in the workplace * Personal or professional issues * Mental health, substance use, or addiction concerns * Referrals to updated resources for assistance. COLAP’s mission is to promote well-being, resiliency and competency by assisting Colorado judges, lawyers, and law students with any issue that compromises their practice, efficacy, and quality of life.

Colorado Lawyers Helping Lawyers (CLHL)

Colorado Lawyers Helping Lawyers is a lawyer-to-lawyer program supported by the CBA and is available to all lawyers, judges, law school students, and graduates. The focus of CLHL is on helping those who are experiencing alcohol, substance abuse, and mental health issues. This is achieved through confidential peer support, education, referral, and outreach. The peer support program offered through CLHL does not provide treatment or evaluation services. Rather, CLHL provides peer support groups in Denver and a statewide “virtual” telephone support group. All groups preserve the confidentiality of participants. In addition, three attorneys are available for direct phone contact to discuss individual's personal issue and strategies for dealing with those problems. These calls are not for emergencies — for those, people should contact 911. For a list of CLHL’s meeting times and locations, click here.

The Waterman Fund

The Waterman Fund provides financial assistance to Colorado lawyers who have practiced law in Colorado for at least 10 years, and are "…aged, infirm or otherwise incapacitated [and are] in good repute and standing." An Application can be downloaded from the Waterman Fund page . All information about applicants and awards are confidential. Please direct your questions or a completed Application to Lori Krupske at 303-824-5331 or [email protected].

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Trained counselor at a crisis center in your area are available, anytime 24/7. 1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org