On August 1, 1976, the XXI Summer Olympic Games officially closed in Montreal, the United States celebrated its bicentennial, and a small group of Minnesota lawyers formed Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL). Fast forward 45 years to 2021, and LCL has become the nation’s oldest continuously operating Lawyer Assistance Program. Times and technology have changed since LCL’s founding, but one thing remains the same—LCL’s commitment to providing help and hope to the legal profession.
This commitment drove the expansion of LCL’s mission to encompass a broad range of issues facing the legal profession, including mental health, substance use and well-being. Joan Bibelhausen, LCL’s executive director, noted, “Well-being efforts are important and so it’s the fact that LCL will always be here when there is a crisis or serious issue. That’s our heritage and the fire in our bellies. You need not wait until there is a crisis and you certainly need not wait until you think you have the time.”
On April 28, 2021, LCL hosted a virtual celebration of its long history of Standing Up for Well-Being. The event featured the Honorable Judge Donovan Frank as the emcee, remarks from 2020-2021 MSBA President Dyan Ebert, and an inspirational keynote address by ABA President Patricia Refo. Video testimonials highlighted the range and depth of LCL services. A replay of the event is available on the LCL website at https://www.mnlcl.org.
Robins Kaplan and Dorsey were Gold Level Sponsors for the event. Silver Level Sponsors were Fredrickson & Byron, P.A.; Stinson; Greene Espel, P.L.L.P.; Hogan Lovells; Minnesota Lawyer; and Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company. Bronze Level Sponsors were Maslon; Taft; Forsgren Fisher McCalmont DeMarea Tysver; Nilan Johnson; Bassford Remele; Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions; Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation; and Minnesota CLE.
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers is Minnesota’s Lawyer Assistance Program. An independent, nonprofit organization, LCL provides help and support to lawyers, judges, law students, and their immediate families with any issue or concern causing stress or distress in their lives.
