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It has been estimated that anywhere from 2,000
to 3,000 lawyers licensed by the State of Kansas suffer from physical or mental
illness impairing their professional abilities. This results in a substantial
impact on clients and the State Bar's disciplinary system. The Kansas Lawyers
Assistance Program (KALAP) was created by the Kansas Supreme Court to provide
for identification, peer intervention and rehabilitation of any Kansas lawyer
whose professional performance is impaired because of physical or mental
illness, including alcoholism and substance abuse, so these attorneys may resume
or enter the competent practice of law. In this way, KALAP not only helps to
save the lives and practices of impaired attorneys, it also contributes to the
protection of the public, the continued improvement in the integrity and
reputation of the legal profession and, because assistance to an impaired lawyer
often prevents future ethical violations, the reduction of disciplinary actions
against impaired attorneys, including the immense amount of time and expense of
investigation and prosecution. |
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