Who We Are and What We Do

Substance abuse assessments are offered to law students and all members of the Bar and Bench. Each assessment typically involves a single two-hour session. To schedule an appointment, please call 505-797-6003 or email pam.moore@sbnm.org

If an assessment indicates a need for counseling or treatment, NM LAP will provide the person with information regarding the most appropriate resource(s). NM LAP maintains referral resources across the state and country that include private therapists, physicians, and private and state-funded treatment facilities. Call 505-228-1948 or email pam.moore@sbnm.org.

NM LAP volunteers are lawyers and judges committed to providing peer assistance to their colleagues. Most volunteers are individuals who, having received help for their own substance abuse and/or mental health problems, are interested in sharing their experiences with colleagues who face similar challenges.
Our volunteers know how important confidentiality is to a legal professional in crisis and are trained to help in a variety of ways: providing one-to-one peer assistance, participating in interventions, introducing others to local support groups and to other lawyers in recovery, making presentations, etc.

New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program Confidential Helpline:
For confidential assistance regarding mental health or substance use concerns, contact the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program Confidential Helpline at 505-420-8179 or 505-228-1948. Call or text services are available. This service supports attorneys, paralegals, law students, law clerks and other legal professionals. All communications are strictly confidential and anonymity is available upon request.

New Mexico Judicial Helpline:
Judges seeking support or concerned about a colleague may contact the New Mexico Judicial Helpline at 505-797-6097. This confidential service is provided through the New Mexico Judicial Wellness Program. Anonymity is available upon request.


What to Do in a Crisis: If you or someone you know may be considering self-harm, seek help immediately. Do not leave the person alone or isolate yourself. Contact a medical professional. Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room for immediate assistance, or ask a trusted friend or family member for help. Contact the 24-hour New Mexico Crisis Line at 1-855-662-7474 (TTY 1-855-227-5485). You may also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TTY 1-800-799-4889).


Supreme Court Order and Privilege No. 05-8110 - Ensuring Confidentiality and Effective Court Operations: The N.M. Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 16-803) and the N.M. Code of Judicial Conduct (Rule 21-300) provide strict confidentiality for individuals seeking assistance from the NM LAP. All communications and actions taken by NM LAP with its clients are held in the strictest confidence and are not reported to any individual or entity outside of NMLAP, including any professional disciplinary agency, without the client’s permission. Likewise, the identities of individuals who contact NM LAP with concerns about a legal professional are confidential and not disclosed to the person referred. In addition, the New Mexico Supreme Court adopted Order 05-8110 in May 2005. The order provides that communications made to a member, staff member, or authorized agent of the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program, as well as all proceedings and records of the program are privileged. This privilege applies in court, the Disciplinary Board, Board of Bar Examiners or Judicial Standards Commission proceeding.

Sadly, many individuals don’t seek help for themselves even when they are suffering emotionally and losing control of their lives. Brushing aside concerns or waiting and hoping the person will independently seek help usually guarantees that the problem and its associated consequences will progressively worsen. The earlier an individual receives treatment for a mental health or substance abuse problem, the better their prognosis. Sometimes it takes only a concerned person willing to speak up to break through the inertia or denial of the impaired professional; other situations require a formal intervention involving several concerned persons (colleagues, friends, relatives). In either scenario, NM LAP is ready to assist. Call 505-228-1948 or 505-797-6003.

Legal professionals are required to inform the appropriate professional authority of violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct when the conduct raises a substantial question as to the individual’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness. When substance abuse or mental health is believed to be involved, making a report directly to the NM LAP may be an appropriate alternative to the Disciplinary Board. Doing so provides an important opportunity for professional assistance that might not otherwise occur and may avert civil liability for the reporting professional. Call 505-228-1948 or 505-797-6003.

NM LAP staff and peers offer presentations for State Bar associations and sections, private firms, and legal governmental departments on a variety of topics including, stress reduction, substance abuse, and depression. Call NM LAP at 505-228-1948 for help or email nmlap@sbnm.org

In situations where an individual’s impairment has resulted in ethical, disciplinary, or employment problems, NM LAP can provide a monitoring function to assist the recovering impaired professional demonstrate to the court or employer that he or she is maintaining recovery appropriately. Call 505-228-1948 or 505-797-6003.

New Mexico Crisis and Access Line is toll free and is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 1 (855) NMCRISIS (622-7474). www.nmcrisisline.com