Supreme Court accepting public comment on rule amendments affecting Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court is accepting public comment on amendments to a rule governing the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program.

Comments may be made by email to scrulespubliccomment@kscourts.org until noon February 15. The subject line must read “Rule 233.”

The proposed amendments to Rule 233: Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program are to align it with other Supreme Court rules and to clarify processes.

The Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program provides immediate and continuing assistance to any legal professional—lawyer, bar applicant, or law student—who is experiencing a physical or mental health issue.

The Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program offers educational programs to the legal community about the problems of physical or mental disabilities and how to limit circumstances that can lead to these issues. The program also seeks to protect the public from potential harm through intervention and support for the legal professional.

A new section of the rule reflects existing practices not presently in the rule regarding the KALAP Foundation. The foundation collects and receives donations to furnish financial assistance, including low-interest loans, to legal professionals seeking treatment for physical or mental health issues.

The Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program's services are confidential and provided at no cost to the participant, although a legal professional may be responsible for costs of psychological, medical, rehabilitative, and other treatment services. Program funding comes from annual registration fees attorneys pay to practice law in Kansas.