Opinion ID: 2534730
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: bill leary

Text: Mr. Leary has been the Executive Director of LAP since it was formed in 1992. He was also one of the original members of the Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Mr. Leary testified both in person before the hearing committee and by deposition, in each instance generally explaining the history of the LAP program and testifying about the confidentiality issues raised in this matter. Mr. Leary did not give any testimony specific to respondent's participation in the LAP program. Mr. Leary explained that LAP uses a standardized recovery agreement which he drafted himself, patterned after similar agreements in use in other states. [5] A LAP contract has a five-year term, and is usually signed after the lawyer completes substance abuse treatment. Mr. Leary testified that this is done in the event the treatment facility makes any recommendations for the lawyer upon discharge; for example, if the facility recommends aftercare or family counseling, that will be incorporated into the LAP contract. Under the terms of a LAP agreement, the lawyer must meet with a monitor, attend AA meetings, and is subject to random drug testing 12-14 times per year. Some lawyers enter into LAP contracts voluntarily, but other lawyers are referred to the LAP program by their law firms, and still others are referred in connection with bar discipline or bar admission proceedings. Mr. Leary testified that confidentiality is very important to individuals who call him asking for help. Mr. Leary assures these individuals that neither he nor any member of the Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse can be compelled to reveal information which is provided through LAP. He was adamant that LAP does not break confidentiality. Mr. Leary explained that the purpose of Paragraph 15 of the LAP agreement is to enable him to talk to any number of sources about a lawyer's recovery. In each specific case, instead of getting a release from all of the people he wants to talk to (like the aftercare group or people on the telephone who might call Mr. Leary about a lawyer in recovery), Mr. Leary puts Paragraph 15 in the LAP agreement so that every time I want to talk to someone, I do not have to go back and get a release done. Mr. Leary testified that all LAP contracts contain Paragraph 15. Mr. Leary testified that he had many, many conversations with respondent about confidentiality, occurring over a number of months. Specifically, respondent did not want to sign the LAP contract because of Paragraph 15. Mr. Leary told respondent he would not change the language of the contract, but did assure him that he was not signing a waiver as to the world but only as to those persons necessary for Mr. Leary to consult in connection with the recovery process. Mr. Leary testified that there are certain persons who are part of the LAP program structure whom he considers to be bound by the confidentiality applicable to LAP. These persons include doctors, counselors, monitors, and sponsors, for exampleindividuals with whom information must be shared so that they can assist Mr. Leary in the performance of his work. However, Mr. Leary testified that he has never considered outsiders to be included in this group, such as spouses, children, law firm partners or associates, secretaries, or others. He testified that in his view, these persons are not agents of LAP and are not bound by the confidentiality provisions applicable to LAP.