Lawyers Helping Lawyers
Resources for OBA Members
The OBA offers all bar members up to six hours of free short-term, problem-focused or crisis counseling. The service is strictly confidential. For help with stress, depression or addiction, call the Lawyers Helping Lawyers hotline (800-364-7886) to be referred to a counselor in your area. Identifying participant information is not made available to the OBA and services are provided through a separate, contracted organization.
If you have a question or request that is not urgent, another option (in addition to the hotline) is to email oklalhl@gmail.com. Responses to email will take place during regular Monday-Friday business hours.
The LHL hotline is answered by a counseling/mental health service. After-hours calls are answered by a licensed mental health professional. Calling the hotline is always the first step in receiving help or information.
Call the hotline for:
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Monthly Discussion Groups
LHL hosts a monthly meeting led by a LHL Committee member. The small group discussions are intended to give group leaders and participants the opportunity to ask questions, provide support and share information with fellow bar members to improve their lives – professionally and personally.
Oklahoma City | Regular Meetings are held 6-7:30 p.m. In-person meetings in Oklahoma City are held at the office of Tom Cummings, 701 NW 13th St., Oklahoma City. Check the OBA Event Calendar for upcoming dates.
Tulsa | Tulsa Meetings are held 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the office of Scott Goode, 1437 S. Boulder Ave., Ste. 1200, Tulsa. Check the OBA Event Calendar for upcoming dates.
Oklahoma City Womens Group | Meetings are held 6-7:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. The meeting location is Oil Center Conference Room; 2601 N.W. Expressway; Oklahoma City (First floor crossover hallway, closest to west tower); RSVP to oklalhl@gmail.com. Check the OBA Event Calendar for upcoming dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program?
The program assists OBA members who are having difficulties that adversely affect their practice. Difficulties can be from a variety of sources – not just drugs and alcohol but also depression, stress, relationship challenges and gambling.
Who runs this program?
The program is administered by the LHL Assistance Program Committee and funded by OBA member dues. The LHL hotline is answered by a counseling/mental health service that is contracted by the OBA.
Does the OBA know when I call the hotline?
No. All calls are confidential and are handled by a counseling/mental health service, which reports numbers of those utilizing services but not names.
How does this all work?
Lawyers Helping Lawyers provides CONFIDENTIAL help to an impaired lawyer. By statute and OBA resolution, any information received by the program must remain completely confidential. Information regarding a lawyer is often received from the lawyer personally or from family, friends, partners or even clients. Once contact is made through the hotline, the lawyer is provided the information requested or referred to needed services. If you wish, you can be referred to a peer mentor who can work with you on specific issues.
I struggle with drugs/alcohol. How can you help?
The majority of calls received by the LHL program deal with lawyers whose lives and practices are being ruined by a drug or alcohol abuse problem. This is not at all surprising because some researchers estimate a 15% rate of alcoholism and other substance abuse among professionals. This means there could be as many as 2,500 lawyers in Oklahoma in one stage or another of chemical dependency. To address this problem, the program has a network of lawyers who are well acquainted with the disease of alcoholism or chemical dependency and who are willing to devote their time and energy to helping others find recovery.
My problem is not with drugs or alcohol. How can you help?
Lawyers, who are trained not to show weakness, can sometimes be crippled by depression or other emotional problems. Take advantage of the free, short-term counseling, participate in the monthly discussion groups or ask for a committee member mentor, who can help with emotional problems due to physical illness, senility, divorce or stress.
I know I have a serious problem, but I can’t afford treatment.
The first step is to ask for help and take advantage of the free, short-term counseling. Call the hotline. Second, you may qualify for a grant from the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Foundation to help pay for treatment or medication. To apply for an LHL Foundation grant, schedule an appointment with the off-site LHL program coordinator by calling the 800-364-7886 hotline or emailing oklalhl@gmail.com. A grant application form and more details are available online.
I don’t have a problem, but my friend does.