Public Notice Detail
Justice James Gilbert Recognizes New Programs to Help Legal Community Deal with Stress
Posted: Wednesday, December 18, 2002
ST. PAUL, MN (Dec. 18, 2002) – Minnesota Supreme Court Justice James Gilbert will speak at a December 20 open house of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL), a St. Paul organization that assists attorneys, judges and law students with chemical dependency, mental health and stress-related issues.
“Judges and attorneys carry substantial responsibility as they handle some of the most difficult and life-changing issues for Minnesotans,” said Justice Gilbert, the Supreme Court liaison to the group. “LCL’s work ensures that those entrusted to provide for justice can do so unhindered by personal- and work-related stress. This is vital to equal access to justice and an effective legal profession.”
The organization recently moved into its new offices at Court International in St. Paul and is expanding its services to include:
- An additional peer-led mental health support group.
- A co-ed mental health therapy group.
- A women’s life balance therapy group.
LCL became the state’s lawyers’ assistance program in 2001 through a competitive bidding process and approval by the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Lawyers Trust Accountability Board. The Supreme Court approved funding to the group through an annual $8 surcharge on attorneys’ registration fees. In return, LCL provides some counseling, evaluation and referral on mental and chemical health issues at no cost. It also offers mental health support groups, attorneys’ Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and mentoring opportunities.
The organization was founded in 1976 by a group of attorneys and judges in recovery. LCL formally expanded its scope to include mental health and stress issues last year. The Minnesota State Bar Association, representing more than 15,000 attorneys, petitioned the Court to establish this lawyers’ assistance program. For more information about services for yourself or a family member, call LCL at (651) 646-5590.
Who: Supreme Court Justice James Gilbert
What: Speaks at the open house of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
When: 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 (The open house continues until 5:30 p.m.)
Where: Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Court International, 2550 University Avenue West, St. Paul, Suite 313N