If you’re a Minnesota legal professional, you’ve probably heard of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL). You may even know someone who has used our services. But despite that, there are still a lot of misconceptions floating around. And honestly, that is not surprising. Lawyers are trained to be careful, skeptical, and self-reliant. Those traits serve us well in practice, but they can also make it harder to recognize when support is a professional or personal best choice.
So, let’s clear up a few common myths.
Myth #1: “If I reach out, it will go on my record.”
Fact: Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers services are completely confidential.
This is probably the biggest misconception, and it stops a lot of people from picking up the phone.
LCL’s programs are built on confidentiality. What you share with a counselor or program staff stays there. The goal is to make it safe for lawyers to get help early, before things escalate into something bigger or start interfering with the way you show up as an attorney or in your personal life.
Myth #2: “LCL is only for people in crisis.”
Fact: You do not have to wait until things fall apart.
A lot of lawyers assume they need to be in crisis before they qualify for help. That is not how it works. LCL supports legal professionals for any issue “that causes stress or distress.” It might originate with something at home. It might be the work you’re doing, the kinds of cases you’re taking or the people with whom you are working. Stress, burnout, anxiety, substance use concerns, or even just feeling overwhelmed are all valid reasons to reach out.
In fact, the earlier you connect, the easier it is to get back on track. You do not need to wait for a breaking point to justify it.
Myth #3: “I should be able to handle this on my own.”
Fact: Getting support is part of being able to do your job well.
There is a strong culture in our profession around pushing through and figuring things out on your own. That can make it feel like we should be able to do this on our own and asking for help is a sign we’re not cut out for this work. But the reality is the opposite. Most lawyers who reach out to LCL are not unable to do their jobs; they are trying to stay capable, focused, and healthy enough to keep doing them.
Think of LCL and our serves as less of a last resort and more as a resource that helps you stay in practice.
Myth #4: “LCL will report me to the Office of Lawyer’s Professional Responsibility if I admit to something serious.”
Fact: When we say confidential, we mean it.
This is another fear that keeps people away, especially if they are worried about substance use, mental health concerns, or mistakes they have made. LCL is not an enforcement body. We are not here to discipline you or report you. We are here to offer targeted support and resources. Our staff members are lawyers from various practice areas. We understand the intensity and rigor of being a lawyer and we can get you to the help you need.
Myth #5: “No one else is dealing with this.”
Fact: You are not alone, even if it feels that way.
One of the hardest parts of being a lawyer is the sense that everyone else has it together. I distinctly remember feeling that my colleagues weren’t experiencing the same level of stress as I was while practicing. From the outside, it can look like your colleagues are managing everything perfectly. The truth is that many lawyers quietly struggle with stress, burnout, and other challenges. They just do not always talk about it.
We exist to support you. As a human, as a lawyer, and in all walks of your life.
Myth #6: “Reaching out will make me look weak.”
Fact: It often takes more strength to reach out than to stay silent.
This one is deeply ingrained in legal culture, and it is probably the hardest to shift. But asking for support is not about weakness. It is about recognizing when something is not working and taking action before it adversely affects you. It is the height of problem solving, something we do well! Many lawyers who contact LCL say the same thing afterward: they wish they had done it sooner.
If you take nothing else from this, let it be this: you work in an exceeding demanding profession and deserve support in meeting those demands.
If you ever find yourself wondering whether you “should” reach out, you do not need to overthink it. You can just start the conversation. We are here. 24/7. Reach out.