Nebraska Lawyers Assistance Program

NSBA Home Page

Confidential help for all lawyers,
judges and law students

NLAP Helpline: (402) 475-6527

NLAP Q & A

Confidentiality

Q: Are my conversations with NLAP confidential?

A: Yes. Conversations between a lawyer, law student, or judge and NLAP are protected by Neb. Court Rules 3-501.6(c) and 3-508.3(c). The Court Rule on confidentiality can be found here and the exception to the duty to report misconduct can be found here.

Q: Does NLAP report to or communicate with Counsel for Discipline, the Judicial Qualifications Commission or the Nebraska State Bar Commission (admissions)?

A: Only when expressly authorized by the lawyer, judge or law student seeking help from NLAP. It is your choice whether you want NLAP to communicate with anyone regarding your interactions with our program. In certain circumstances you may want NLAP to communicate with one of these entities to confirm that you are working to address a substance use or mental health condition.

Under certain circumstances, the Court may order a lawyer to be monitored by NLAP as part of a disciplinary matter or conditional admission to the bar. In those circumstances, you will be required to sign a monitoring agreement that includes a consent to communicate your progress under the monitoring agreement. Formal monitoring comprises a small percentage of the interactions with NLAP.

Q: Do the same confidentiality protections apply to communications with NLAP Committee members?

A: Yes, the same confidentiality rules described above apply to NLAP Committee members when they are acting in the capacity of an NLAP volunteer.

Who can receive help from NLAP?

Q: Do I need to be a sustaining member of the NSBA to receive NLAP services?

A: No. NLAP services are available to all Nebraska lawyers, judges and law students.

Q: Can I receive help from NLAP while in law school or after graduation but before I become licensed as a lawyer?

A: Yes. NLAP assists all law students studying at the two law schools in Nebraska. We also offer assistance to all applicants seeking to be licensed as a lawyer in Nebraska, regardless of where the applicant went to law school.

Getting help for a lawyer, judge or law student that you know.

Q: Can I call NLAP to request assistance for lawyer, judge or law student who I think needs help?

A: Yes! About half of our calls come from someone calling to get help for a lawyer, judge or law student in need of assistance. Friends, co-workers, employers, colleagues and family members of a lawyer, judge or law student are encouraged to contact us for information. We can answer your questions, and help develop a strategy on getting the lawyer, judge or law student in touch with help resources they need.

What education and outreach does NLAP offer?

Q: Does NLAP offer CLEs?

A: Yes. NLAP offers a variety of CLEs on wellness related topics. Often NLAP CLEs qualify for professional responsibility credit under MCLE rules. Please contact the NLAP Director to discuss how NLAP can fit within your CLE needs.

Q: Will NLAP come to my local bar association, bar section or law firm to present CLE topics?

A: Please call the NLAP Director to see how NLAP can fit within your CLE needs.