Get Involved

How Can You Help the Lawyer Assistance Program

We welcome new volunteers. Below are the options for volunteering with the LAP. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions about how you can help the LAP and LAC achieve our mission. If you have any questions or if you would like to become a LAP volunteer, please contact LAP staff at 202-347-3131 or [email protected].

Volunteers – Mentors

The D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) has a strong volunteer component which allows lawyers who have faced similar problems and have overcome them to offer their guidance and assistance to LAP clients in a confidential, mentoring relationship. If you are interested in becoming a LAP volunteer mentor, please call LAP at 202-347-3131 or email [email protected]

Volunteers – Speakers

LAP volunteers frequently assist with outreach by speaking about their experience at LAP educational presentations. These presentations are conducted at legal employers and law schools throughout the year. If you are interested in assisting LAP staff with speaking engagements, please call LAP at 202-347-3131.

Lawyer Assistance Committee (LAC)

Every fall, the D.C. Bar Board of Governors seeks candidates for appointments to the Lawyer Assistance Committee (LAC). All candidates must be members of the D.C. Bar, except positions designated for nonlawyer members. LAC members are appointed to serve a two–year term, which can be renewed, and can only serve three consecutive two–year terms.

If you would like to apply for a LAC vacancy, please submit a résumé and a cover letter describing your interest, along with a description of work, volunteer or personal relevant qualifications and email to [email protected]. Applications that do not include the requisite cover letter with a description of relevant experience will not be considered. Leadership experience with other D.C. Bar committees, voluntary bar associations, or the Bar’s sections is highly desirable.
 
Charles L. Reischel Memorial Fund

The LAP manages a fund which gives no-interest loans for necessary treatment for LAP clients who have no other sources of funding. The loan fund is named after Charles L. Reischel, a former Chair of the D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Committee (LAC)  and a strong advocate of funding treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. The Charles L. Reischel Memorial Revolving Fund, named posthumously in Mr. Reischel’s honor in July of 2004, is a fund supported entirely through voluntary contributions. If you would like to learn more about supporting the Charles L. Reischel fund, please contact the LAP.

If you would like to know more about LAP volunteer opportunities or you have questions, please contact the Lawyer Assistance Program staff, at 202-347-3131 or email [email protected].