HEALTH & WELLNESS | THE LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Leading with Hope: Marissa B. Joelson and Kate Hanlon Sinclair Head Up MSBA's Lawyer Assistance Program
THE LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LAP) provides free, confiden-
tial assistance to all Maryland lawyers, judges, law school students, and support staff by offering assessment, referral, short-term counseling, and continued support to ensure long-term success.
Marissa B. Joelson and Kate Hanlon Sinclair, the first female Chair and ViceChair of the Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP), exemplify how the program is a vital resource for legal professionals. Their personal and professional journeys highlight the immense pressures of the legal field and demonstrate the importance of confidential support and community. As the new LAP Chair, Joelson brings a deep understanding of the pressures faced by legal professionals. Joelson, the head of the Medical Malpractice Department at Peter Angelos Law, believes that the adversarial nature of litigation creates an environment where a lawyer's success is often measured by whether they “won.” This constant need to "win," she says, is "why the legal profession ranks so high
in mental health crises, substance abuse, and suicide." She believes this pressure can cause feelings of "inadequacy and self-doubt" in new attorneys and can even trigger mental health issues in those who previously had none. Joelson views the LAP as a vital support system that creates a ripple effect of positivity. When lawyers "team up to support one another," she says, it can make a big difference for them and their families, employers, coworkers, and clients. She believes that by sharing how they've overcome challenges, lawyers can give others "hope, an example to follow, as well as advice as to how they were able to improve their thinking, behaviors, or decision making." Joelson also stresses the importance of simply being "cordial and pleasant," noting that "Being a fierce advocate and amicable opponent at the same time is key." As Chair, Joelson is determined to grow LAP's reach. Her primary goal is to ensure every member of the legal community knows that LAP is "first and foremost— confidential." She wants to ensure no one risks their license or position before asking for help. Joelson wants