Services

MAP Services

MAP provides assessment, referral, follow-up, peer support, consultation, intervention and monitoring services.

Assessment: MAP staff can assess issues concerning lawyer impairment and assist the judge or lawyer in securing appropriate help. An initial assessment is generally done in one to three sessions.

Referral: If a judge, lawyer or legal staff member is assessed as requiring additional help, MAP will refer the individual to the most appropriate resource in the community. In some circumstances, the most appropriate referral resource may be outside the community. MAP has developed referral resources across the country. Referral resources include social service agencies, private therapists, physicians, hospitals, residential treatment facilities and the like.

Follow-up: After referral, MAP will follow-up to ensure that the program participant is satisfied with the service and that he or she is progressing toward appropriate goals. Follow-up services are provided on a case-by-case basis and can be for a short period of time or for a duration of years.

Consultation: MAP can provide assistance to judges, law partners, friends or family members who are concerned about a judge or lawyer. MAP will assist the concerned person with exploring appropriate options and make recommendations which are appropriate to the circumstance.

Intervention: If a judge or lawyer is seriously in trouble with alcohol or drugs, or is experiencing a mental disorder that demands immediate treatment, MAP can arrange appropriate intervention, arrange appropriate treatment, and provide encouragement to the impaired individual to access appropriate resources.

Monitoring: In situations where the lawyer’s impairment has resulted in ethical or disciplinary violations, MAP can provide a monitoring function to assist the recovering impaired lawyer in demonstrating to bar counsel or the court that the lawyer is maintaining his or her recovery appropriately.

Support Groups: MAP sponsors AA/NA meetings for attorneys, judges and law students in Portland and Bangor. The Portland meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of the month at 11:45 p.m. The Bangor meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at noon. MAP also conducts a support group for attorneys dealing with depression, anxiety, stress or burnout. The meetings are held every other Monday in Falmouth. Contact MAP for more information about these meetings.