The Fund | Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program

A Call to Action

In 2015, the Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP) under the direction of Carol P. Waldhauser with significant assistance from the Lawyers Assistance Committee and the Professional Guidance Committee, sought assistance from the Delaware Bar's generous firms and attorneys to develop a fund - the Delaware Lawyers' Assistance Fund (DELAF) to help assist attorneys in obtaining expensive long-term treatment. DE-LAP estimates that between 10 to 15 percent of licensed Delaware Lawyers face "problems that threaten their ability to continue practicing their profession" at any given time.

Equally disturbing is that at least 10% of these attorneys cannot afford necessary treatment programs, outpatient and/or inpatient and/or individual/group therapy. Often by the time an attorney is ready for treatment, he or she has usually hit bottom or has limited funds available for treatment. Many no longer have health insurance coverage or savings and have minimal funds. Donors to this fund offer a lifeline to their colleagues and bolster the image of Delaware as a special place to practice.

How to Make a Difference

Your gift will help an attorney or judge in crisis. A tax-deductible contribution to The Delaware Lawyers' Assistance Fund is a way to improve the life of a friend and benefits the entire profession. Your donation helps us to provide emotional support through in-patient treatment for lawyers and/or judges in need. See below on how to give.

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to need and want treatment but, because of financial needs, could not get it?"

The Solution
The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP), working with the DSBA'S Lawyers Assistance Committee, has formed The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Foundation. Together they have secured support and funding from the Delaware Judiciary, the Delaware State Bar Association, and The Delaware State Bar Insurance Services. The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Foundation is a nonprofit corporation under the management of an elected Board of Directors selected by the Delaware Supreme Court, The DSBA President, The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program, and the DSBA's Lawyers' Assistance Committee.

The foundation's goal is to work with The Delaware Lawyers' Assistance Program (DE-LAP) to ensure lawyers in desperate need receive the financial help necessary to secure treatment by providing loans to members of the legal profession in the State of Delaware. The latter suffers from alcoholism, drug addiction, or mental illness and cannot pay for treatment.

CALL: (302) 777-0124

How will funds be used?
Candidates must demonstrate a commitment and an inability to pay for treatment. Funds loaned to qualified candidates will be used to enable timely access to treatment. Payment will be made directly to the treatment care providers. Repayment is mandatory but may be deferred until recipients are on the road to health (recovery).

Why help?
Rarely can people do it alone. They need help.

The law license is the last thing to go when a lawyer has substance abuse/mental health problems.

Too many lawyers in Delaware have been denied access to treatment because they lack the financial means to pay for it.

There are many ways to make a gift to The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Fund. Consider a donation to honor a loved one, perhaps celebrate the recovery of a loved one or friend, or a specific donation-bequeath within your Last Will and Testament. Additionally, you may want to transform a one-time gift into an annual tribute.

The Delaware Lawyers Fund is a charity, a 501c3, and we rely on your support.

DONATE TODAY

The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Fund is available by calling:

DE-LAP at (302) 777-0124

or e-mailing

mvavala@de-lap.org
or mail your check today to:

The Delaware Lawyers'

Assistance Program,

704 N. King Street, Suite 1100

Wilmington, DE 19801