North Carolina Lawyers Assistance Program

11/14/2025

Less Perfect, More Powerful: Self-Compassion Tools for Lawyers

Thu, Nov 20 | 12:00 PM ET | Zoom

Struggling with perfectionism, fear of failure, or imposter syndrome? You're not alone. Discover evidence-based practices to quiet self-criticism, boost resilience, and make clearer decisions under pressure. Learn practical self-compassion tools designed specifically for legal professionals.

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11/07/2025

Practice Perspective: Following the maxim “to thine own self be true” ensures this lawyer lives an authentic life free of regret. Read more:

I read an article recently about dying people and what they revealed to caretakers in their final days. None of them ever wished they had spent more time at work. Instead, they wished they had spent more time with family and friends. Some also indicated something along the lines of, "I always did wh...

11/03/2025

Hard To Ask For Help: It is well established that lawyers (including judges) have three to four times the rate of alcohol and other drug problems as the general population. There are many contributing factors, including the often-unrelenting stress and emotional demands of the job. Read more here:

Problems with alcohol or other drugs can be temporary or chronic. The most serious form is known as Substance Use Disorder ("SUD"). SUD is not defined or diagnosed by the amount and frequency of use of a substance, but by the thinking and behaviors exhibited.

10/31/2025

“Law School: A Prolonged Abnormal Situation”.
Most people are aware from the outset that law school will be challenging, but many lack the necessary resources to cope adequately with the stresses that law school can bring. Read more here:

For many of us, something profound happens to us in law school, but we are too busy trying to succeed and survive to notice.

10/28/2025

My Monsters are Real: Lightning struck twice for this lawyer when, in his law practice, he was exposed to an identical traumatic event that occurred in his family of origin when he was young. He describes his healing journey. Read more:

I took my first serious drink when I was 13 years old. It was the perfect solution for a kid that did not feel comfortable in his own skin. I grew up under the roof of an abusive, mentally-ill father. We were poor, and that just complicated my self-esteem issues even more. Alcohol removed all those....

10/23/2025

Communication is a fundamental aspect of work in the legal profession. Often, we take the process for granted. Effective communication is a key component of success and satisfaction. Lawyers often see their job as getting to a solution- fast. Read the article, “Better Listening Skills Make Better Lawyers”, here:

Become a Better Listener, Be a better lawyer. Practicing active listening skills can help lawyers be more successful advocates with happier clients.

10/21/2025

Practice Perspective: Following the maxim “to thine own self be true” ensures this lawyer lives an authentic life free of regret. Read more:

I read an article recently about dying people and what they revealed to caretakers in their final days. None of them ever wished they had spent more time at work. Instead, they wished they had spent more time with family and friends. Some also indicated something along the lines of, “I always did ...

10/13/2025

The Science of Hope: A Legal Professional's Advantage

Wed, Oct 22 | 4:00-5:15 PM ET

Hope isn't just optimism—it's a measurable skill that gives lawyers a tangible edge.

Learn how hope fuels productivity, resilience, and ethical decision-making. Explore practical strategies through case studies and exercises to reduce burnout and strengthen client relationships.

**You'll Learn:**
- Measure hope using validated tools
- Apply hope theory to improve performance
- Implement daily practices to build resilience

Can't attend live? Register for the recording!

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10/13/2025

9 Things In Life That Don't Matter: There are certain things in life that we put so much energy into, but truth be told, they don’t actually impact our long-term happiness or success. Here is a list of 9. Unfortunately, lawyers are actively trained to focus on several of these, and as a result of our training, we spend an inordinate amount of time and energy on many of these. Read more:

We all stress about things that, when you think about it, don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

10/06/2025

Practice Perspective: This lawyer has found a simple and refreshing way to bring a little bit of joy into a stressful day. Read more:

A Polar Pop sometime between 2 and 4 PM provides me with simple relief and release during my workday. I am not sure why. Perhaps it is the mixture of White Cherry soda combined with Wild Berry Powerade, the round pebble ice, or the guilty pleasure of drinking from a plastic straw.

10/02/2025

“NCLAP publishes a quarterly e-newsletter, Sidebar. LAP volunteers regularly submit articles for Sidebar around recovery themes or slogans. LAP volunteers understand, as few others can, the sense of loneliness and isolation that are so devastatingly integral to depression and drinking problems. “You Are Not Alone” is a popular theme because it offers so much hope. We share two of our volunteers’ stories here.”

NCLAP publishes a quarterly e-newsletter, Sidebar. LAP volunteers regularly submit articles for Sidebar around recovery themes or slogans. LAP volunteers understand, as few others can, the sense of loneliness and isolation that are so devastatingly integral to depression and drinking problems. “Yo...