Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge John Everett Williams was the keynote speaker at the Missouri Bar Association’s Lawyers’ Assistance Program annual dinner last month in St. Louis.
Judge Williams, chairperson of the Tennessee Lawyer’s Assistance Program (TLAP) and a strong advocate for the organization, spoke about how Tennessee has become a leader in such programs in the nation.
“The success of our TLAP program rests with three core principles: We have the support of our Supreme Court, we have an outstanding staff at TLAP, we have an good number of quality volunteers,” said Judge Williams. “Without any of that, we could not do what we do so well.”
Judge Williams was asked to share that and other stories of success with members of the Missouri bar.
“Judge Williams was an inspiring keynote speaker. He shared innovative ideas for raising awareness about Lawyer Assistance Programs, such as offering one simple and memorable message each year and building on it over time,” said Anne Chambers, Director of the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program “He shared how he became known as the free, anonymous and confidential guy by spreading the message that services are just that in Tennessee.”
The mission of the Tennessee Lawyers’ Assistance program is:
- To protect the interest of clients, litigants and the general public from harm caused by impaired lawyers or judge;
- To assist impaired members of the legal profession to begin and continue recovery; and
- To educate the bench and bar to the causes of and remedies for impairments affecting members of the legal profession.
