Institute For Well-Being In Law
MAINE
Established in 2022, the task force in Maine is a collaboration with Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges, Maine State Bar Association, Maine Board of Bar Overseers, Maine Board of Bar Examiners, both State and Federal Judiciary, Maine Law School and members of the bar in Maine.
Contact
Kristin Murray-James, Esq.
207-266-5951
maineassistanceprogram@gmail.com
ARIZONA
The State Bar of Arizona has a long-standing Member Assistance Council. Pre-COVID (not sure the exact year) the charter for that advisory group was updated to include a focus on lawyer wellness and wellbeing. Wellbeing programming has been offered by the State Bar for many years, both through CLE and informational programming. The Member Assistance Program focuses on wellbeing/wellness as well as substance use and mental health disorders.
Contact
Roberta Tepper, Chief Member Services Officer
roberta.tepper@staff.azbar.org
ALABAMA
Quality of Life, Health and Wellness Task Force
Created by the Alabama State Bar President Irby in August 2018 and made into a permanent standing committee in 2021. Well-Being programming and education offered as of 2020.
https://www.alabar.org/about/committees/ql/
Contact
Emily Hornsby, Task Force co-chair
205-410-5192
ehornsby@mhhlaw.net;
PUERTO RICO
Proposal submitted to PR Bar President in July 2019 to determine willingness to implement a Well-Being Task Force. First initiative is advocating for the adoption of the Model Rules on Continuing Legal Education’s request for one credit every three years on wellness (mental health and substance abuse in particular).
Contact
Manuel Quilichini
manuelq@prlex.com
NEW JERSEY
Lori Buza and Maritza Rodriguez are teaching the first Lawyer Well-Being course at Rutgers Law School-Camden and Rutgers Law School-Newark. There’s a Lawyer Well-Being Task Force that has just put out a survey to the entire NJSBA members. In May 2023, The NJ Supreme Court announced the formation of The Supreme Court Committee on Wellness in Law.
Contact:
Lori Buza, Co-chair, Lawyer Well-Being Committee, New Jersey State Bar Association
lori@ksbraniganlaw.com
Martiza Rodriguez, Co-chair, Lawyer Well-Being Committee, New Jersey State Bar Association
maritza@rodriguezlawllc.com
