History and Purpose of NHLAP

            In 2007 the New Hampshire Supreme Court established, through Rule 58, the New Hampshire Lawyers Assistance Program. The program is the culmination of over 20 years of volunteer commitment in New Hampshire by two separate organizations, the Lawyers Assistance Committee of the New Hampshire Bar Association (LAC), and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL), a 12-step based self-help group for lawyers. These two organizations had worked together since the early 1980’s to address issues of substance abuse, depression and other mental health concerns of their colleagues.

            By 2000, most states had created funded, formalized programs, known as Lawyers Assistance Programs (LAPs) to assist attorneys in their states. The attributes of LAPs included confidentiality, outreach, and increased follow-through and support for struggling lawyers. With confidentiality, programs saw an increase in attorneys seeking and obtaining needed assistance.

            In 2006, New Hampshire Supreme Court formalized the NHLAP with the passage of Rule 58. Chief Justice John Broderick, whose family had experienced the challenge of mental illness, championed a program that would provide confidential support and assistance to New Hampshire lawyers. Under Justice Broderick’s leadership, the Court appointed the governing Commission of the NHLAP. Judge John Maher, founder of LCL in New Hampshire, was named Chair. Attorney John Tobin, head of the the LAC, was named Vice Chair. In August 2007, the commission hired Cecie Hartigan as its first executive director.

            As a 22 - year member of the New Hampshire Bar, Cecie is familiar with attorneys throughout the state. She is a long-time member of LCL, during which time she has worked to help New Hampshire lawyers recover from alcohol and substance abuse. A graduate of the University Of Florida Law School, she clerked for the Fourth District Court of Appeal in FL, and later for the New Hampshire Supreme Court. She most  recently was an associate with Phillips Law Office, PLLC. Cecie gratefully welcomes this opportunity to assist lawyers through the NHLAP.

Through outreach and education, the NHLAP seeks to encourage attorneys to seek help for impairments early through the confidential resources that NHLAP provides.

As a friend of NHLAP says, “we set up discipline to make sure those who are not doing what they should be as lawyers are removed from harming the public. We set up client security funds to help those clients who have been financially harmed by lawyers. We require continuing education to maintain competence. And after we have protected our clients and the public in all of those ways we take care of ourselves through lawyer assistance programs. Ultimately this also protects the public but it helps us as well.“

If you or someone you know needs help,
don’t hesitate to call NHLAP 603-545-8967 or 877-224-6060.