WHATEVER THE PROBLEM, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MANAGE ALONE.

Continuing to try to manage alone is a symptom of the pathology of stress, distress, despair, depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction. AAP is a safe place to be. If you experience unpleasant stress, distress, despair about your life in the law, depression (is anything fun for you?), other people telling you that you have problems with alcohol or drugs, come in to a safe place.

Problems are not a sign of failure, but an opportunity for growth. The American Medical Association and the American Bar Association state that more than one in five doctors and more than one in five lawyers experience these problems. Come on in and talk about it.

If you are concerned about yourself or about a partner, associate, colleague, bar applicant, law student or judge, help is available here.

CONFIDENTIALITY
Maintaining the utmost confidentiality

AAP is not disciplinary. You are safe here. We are not part of the office of Disciplinary counsel and we do not report to the ODC. Rule 16 of the Rules of the Hawaii Supreme Court provide that any information provided to the AAP about any Hawaii lawyer is confidential, privileged, and not subject to discovery. We do not keep files or records. Information received by AAP concerning any lawyer seeking help or to whom assistance is offered is confidential. The confidentiality provided is that of the attorney-client privilege. If you call as the spouse, child, or friend of the lawyer you suspect may have a chemical dependency and/or mental or other health problem, your communication is also treated as confidential and not discoverable.

The attorneys and Judges Assistance program was established by the Hawaii Supreme Court "to provide immediate and continuing assistance to any attorney or judge who has a problem or is impaired for any reason."

Not dealing with your stress or other problems can lead to disciplinary complaints, malpractice suits as well as the breakup of partnerships, families, and to misery.

MAY WE HELP YOU? DO YOU HAVE A NEED?

Do you have a feeling of impending doom?
Have you ever appeared in court or a deposition not fully prepared?
Do you miss appointments?
Have you neglected to process mail? Return phone calls?
Have you ever borrowed, misused, or commingled clients' trust funds?
Have you approached other attorneys to make court appearances on your behalf?
Do hangovers or drinks during lunch interfere with your performance at work?
Do you frequently blame others for things that go wrong?
Is your relationship with your spouse, children, clients, or staff deteriorating? Do they nag you about drinking or using?
Have you filed motions late, missed deadlines for performance, or allowed the statute of limitations to expire?
Is your behavior inappropriate?
Are you still having fun?

If you identify with any of these questions, please give us a call. We are here to help you. We cannot possibly hurt you. You are safe here.

SOLUTIONS

The AAP has trained lawyers and counselors who have learned from experience a better way to deal with these issues. A call to the AAP office will put you in touch with someone who can show you an easier way to cope with life's problems. The services are free and strictly confidential, and communications are privileged.

AAP IS A SAFE PLACE TO BE