About The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program

The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (“TLAP”) was established by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court (the “Court”) in 1999. The mission and general structure of TLAP are set forth in Rule 33 of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules.

TLAP is a confidential, professionals’ program serving lawyers, judges, bar applicants, and law students who suffer from physical or mental disabilities that result from disease, disorder, trauma or age and that impair their ability to practice or serve. Many of those who seek assistance from TLAP are struggling with substance use issues, stress, or emotional health issues. TLAP’s professional clinical staff provides direct crisis counseling, consultations, interventions, referrals to appropriate assessments, diagnostic and treatment providers, and comprehensive TLAP Monitoring that supports long-term recovery and fitness to practice law. TLAP’s direct support services are unlimited and always rendered at no cost. In the event that services such as assessments, treatment, or drug screening by a third-party provider are clinically indicated, TLAP assists the client in efforts to obtain the financial support necessary to access the needed services. The TLAP Foundation is a non-profit corporation created independently from TLAP with a mission to provide financial support to TLAP clients in need. The TLAP Foundation may be a source of financial assistance for services. TLAP’s services are results-driven and highly specialized to meet the specific needs of legal professionals, and generate exceptional rates of recovery without relapse. This not only helps the individual but also helps protect the public and the profession from the damage that impaired professionals can cause. TLAP’s assistance and early intervention is key and often prevents future ethical violations, thereby reducing the number of disciplinary complaints. If you or someone you know needs assistance, reach out today! Your call to TLAP is free and is absolutely confidential!

The MISSION of TLAP is threefold:

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;
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To EDUCATE the bench and bar to the causes of and remedies for impairments affecting members of the legal profession.