James “Jim” Deel, has served as Executive Director of the Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP) since March 3, 2025. In this role, he leads efforts to address the growing mental health and substance use crisis within the legal profession. DE-LAP offers confidential assistance, advocacy, and active engagement to reduce stigma and provide meaningful pathways to recovery for attorneys and judges facing challenges such as mental health issues, addiction, and grief—helping them improve both their personal well-being and professional performance.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran with over 20 years of experience across the criminal justice, behavioral health, and public safety systems, Jim brings a trauma-informed, multi-disciplinary approach to LAP services. As an embedded clinician with two Delaware municipal police departments, he co-responded to mental health and substance-related crises—strengthening trust between law enforcement, communities, and behavioral health resources. His work emphasizes pre- and post-arrest diversion, connecting individuals to care and reducing reliance on the justice system.

Jim has responded to high-stakes incidents, including the Delaware Department of Corrections hostage crisis and the line-of-duty death of a state trooper, underscoring his commitment to supporting professionals and families affected by trauma. He is a certified Crisis Intervention and Veterans Response Team member, a Grief Recovery Specialist, and an affiliate Chaplain with the First Responder Chaplain Corps. Alongside his therapy dog, Zoey, he deploys with Crisis Response Canines to provide animal-assisted support following traumatic events.

Jim has dedicated his career to bridging the legal, law enforcement, and clinical fields. He serves on advisory boards for Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, Wilmington University’s Human Trafficking and Behavioral Science programs and continues to train professionals statewide in disaster mental health, de-escalation, and crisis intervention.