JUDGES AND LAWYERS

Barristers party in interest of community service effort

Some 200 lawyers and their friends or better halves gathered at the Governor's Mansion the evening of Nov. 3 for a fundraising dinner for the Arkansas Judges & Lawyers Assistance Program, also known as JLAP.

The Advocates Dinner, first held at the Capital Hotel in 2010, raised more than $60,000 for its outreach programs for judges and lawyers who have difficulty with anger management, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, stress and burnout, substance abuse, work transition troubles or other issues that could affect the way they do their jobs.

This year's total was the most the group has raised, said Sarah Cearley, executive director of JLAP, established by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

After a lively reception and silent auction, guests enjoyed a meal of chicken piccata, salmon, asparagus, roasted potatoes, carrots, Caesar salad and dessert of apple crumble or chocolate creme brulee.

Kathryn Pryor was master of ceremonies. The Justice Robert L. Brown Community Support Award went to Justice Karen Baker and the JLAP Distinguished Service Award went to the state's two law schools -- The University of Arkansas School of Law and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's William H. Bowen School of Law.

"The gifts from this dinner help us be the true statewide program the Arkansas Supreme court intended JLAP to be," Cearly said. "We now contract with therapists from all around the state so that all our clients receive the same cost-free counseling services." Eliminating the cost to the client removes the barrier to getting help, she added. Over the last three years that the funds have been available, nearly 50 clients across the state have been served.

-- Story and photos by Cyd King

High Profile on 11/13/2016

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