Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Childers of Memphis has been appointed to a third term on an American Bar Association advisory commission created to assist lawyers and other legal professionals with addictions and mental health issues.
ABA President Michael Greco asked Childers to continue serving on the advisory group for the Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP). The commission’s goal is to educate the legal community about impairments and the assistance available. Childers also is a member of CoLAP and the commission for the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP).
“The legal community is taking a direct approach toward recognizing and addressing these problems,” Childers said. “Lawyer assistance programs, such as the one we have in Tennessee, are helping lawyers with personal issues and, as a result, the programs are indirectly helping the lawyers’ clients.”
The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program provides consultation, assessment, referral, intervention and other services for lawyers, judges, bar applicants and law students with issues such as substance abuse, stress, family problems, depression, gambling and eating disorders. The program was created by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1999 and is funded by attorneys.
According to CoLAP, 10 percent of the general population has problems with alcohol abuse, but 15-18 percent of legal professionals battle the same problem and related issues.
“Many lawyers are overachievers who work long hours dealing with stressful situations,” Childers said. “Sadly, those factors can lead to alcoholism, depression and other problems.”
Childers also is chairing a CoLAP Conditional Admission Subcommittee. Tennessee and several other states are considering adopting rules on conditional admission to the practice of law.
