Once You Pass the Bar, You Never Pass a Bar.

Orientation Program: The Legal Assistance Program

Welcome to law school! I’m here to speak with you about the Legal Assistance Program, which provides help to members of the legal profession with substance abuse problems. Alcoholism (and substance abuse) is one of the largest problems facing our profession today. Between 25%-50% of all disciplinary actions taken against attorneys are the result of alcohol and substance abuse problems. Substance abuse is not a moral flaw or a question of character. It is a disease and we treat it as such. It is critical that if you know of a colleague who has an alcohol or substance abuse problem that you do not stand idle by and let it go unchecked. You can come to the Legal Assistance Program confidentially; we can work with you to plan an intervention to get your friend the help they need. Together we can work to help those members of our profession who are struggling with this disease of alcoholism. Thank you.

Now we’d like to make a few announcements: Do not forget the Dean’s cocktail party tomorrow evening featuring hors d’oeuvres and an open beer/wine bar. And the Student Bar Association would like to remind you of the upcoming “social” at [hip local club] two weeks from Friday. $5 cover for the open bar with student I.D.