North Carolina Lawyers Assistance Program

03/30/2026

Once upon a time, 40+ years ago, a lawyer made a mistake on a legal matter and had a big “Oh no!” moment. He thought about the mistake from every angle for days. He could not figure out how to fix it. He was in a panic and consumed with shame. He ruminated; he speculated; he predicted that he would be a laughingstock in his small-town legal community. He concluded the only rational course of action was su***de. Fortunately, he was a LAP client at the time. He told his LAP mentor about the mistake he had made. His LAP mentor said, “That’s what you have liability insurance for – for when you make a mistake.” Read the article here:

By Robynn Moraites, Cathy Killian, Nicki Ellington and Candace Hoffman Once upon a time, 40+ years ago, a lawyer made a mistake on a legal matter and had a big “Oh no!” moment. He thought about the mistake from every angle for days. He could not figure out how to fix it. He was in […]

03/26/2026

LAP has a network of lawyer volunteers throughout the state who have recovered from these very same issues and who assist lawyers who are just beginning their own journeys of recovery. These LAP volunteers attend lawyer peer discussion support groups that meet throughout the state. Many volunteers and clients report that peer support is one of the most important tools for a lawyer who is struggling with any issue. Just knowing you are not alone and that others have struggled with the same issue and emerged stronger on the other side can offer meaning and a renewed sense of hope as one begins the journey of recovery. Nclap.org

03/26/2026

Get in Touch: Ready to get started or simply have some questions? Reach out to the LAP Counselor who covers your area. Office hours are M-F (9:00-5:00) and in-person consultations are by appointment only. All communications with LAP staff are strictly confidential. Contact us here:

NC Lap Foundation has offices in Charlotte and Raleigh NC. Office hours are M-F (9:00-5:00) and in-person consultations are by appointment only.

03/17/2026

Practice Perspective: Playing the tape all the way through, this lawyer reflects on the change recovery has brought to his reactions in day-to-day law practice. Read more:

When a judge rules against me, even though they “ought to” have ruled for my client, I can pause and collect myself. If I pause.

03/17/2026

Mindful Moment: On any given day, dealing with a pressing matter may win out over a personal wellness routine. As lawyers and judges, we are trained to think in terms of urgency, risk, and responsibility—frameworks that naturally push less urgent personal health needs to the margins. The good news is that your physical well-being can be supported by small, consistent practices that are achievable even amid demanding caseloads and court schedules. Read more: https://www.nclap.org/sidebar/2026-winter-sidebar/mindful-moment/

This Mindful Moment is also a featured podcast episode: Check IN Before Your Next Check UP. Listen here: https://www.nclap.org/podcast/47-check-in-before-your-next-check-up/

On any given day, dealing with a pressing matter may win out over a personal wellness routine. As lawyers and judges, we are trained to think in terms o...

03/09/2026

Rumination as a Contributor to Burnout: For years, burnout was described as the inevitable cost of overwork: too many hours, too many demands, too little rest. But a growing body of psychological research suggests another powerful contributor quietly intensifies the damage: mental rumination. Read more:

For years, burnout was described as the inevitable cost of overwork: too many hours, too many demands, too little rest. But a growing body of psychological

03/02/2026

The Addicted Mind: Why Smart Professionals Lose Control

Tuesday, March 10th | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Online via Zoom Presented by Dr. Jungjin Kim, MD

Join Mass LCL for an important webinar as part of their Stomp Out Stigma Campaign. Dr. Kim explores why addiction affects professionals across all fields, regardless of intelligence or success. Learn the neuroscience behind addiction, recognize warning signs, and understand how to support those affected.

Register now to join:

02/25/2026

The competitive nature of law, the stress and fatigue from working too many hours, and the lack of balance in personal and professional life, combined with having to work with difficult clients and colleagues in an adversarial system makes lawyers very prone to anger management issues. The intensity of that anger can quickly escalate from a fleeting annoyance to an uncontrollable, destructive rage, making us feel as though we are at the mercy of a very powerful and unpredictable emotional force. While we may not be able to avoid or change the people and situations that make us angry, we can learn to control our reactions. Read more here:

The Roman poet Horace said, “Lawyers are men who hire out their words and their anger.” Unchecked anger, however, makes us less effective as advocates and can be a symptom of deeper issues.

02/24/2026

50 Lessons for Happy Lawyers: In this podcast episode, we interview Nora Rivas, co-author of the 50 Lessons book series. The lessons in the book provide a jumping-off point for deeper study; each aligns with our well-being mission at NC LAP. Ms. Rivas is a consultant in the well-being space. She offers coaching, CLE, and law firm consulting. Listen here:

02/18/2026

The Overwhelmed Brain: As lawyers, we always assert our position, and we are quite sure we are right. We may indeed be. As we head into election season, however, it can be helpful to remember the value of our relationships and put our relationships above our own need to be right. Read more:https://nclap.org/sidebar/2024-3/overwhelmed.html

02/10/2026

Decision dilemmas arise when the “right” path isn’t immediately clear, and the stakes for making the “wrong” choice are high. As attorneys and judges, we regularly encounter decision dilemmas. Our legal training sharpens our ability to see all sides of an argument, which is a crucial skill in legal practice. However, our aptitude to hold competing viewpoints can turn into a burden when it leads to over-analysis and impedes committing to a single course of action. Read the article here: https://www.nclap.org/sidebar/2025-summer-sidebar/deconstructing-decision-dilemmas/

This Mindful Moment is also a featured podcast episode: Deconstructing Decision Dilemmas. Listen here: https://www.nclap.org/captivate-podcast/45-deconstructing-decision-dilemmas/

02/02/2026

Practice Perspective: This lawyer has found a simple and refreshing way to bring a little bit of joy into a stressful day. Read more: https://www.nclap.org/sidebar/2025-summer-sidebar/practice-perspective/