About Us

The Other Bar is a network of recovering lawyers and judges throughout the state, dedicated to assisting others within the profession who are suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems. We are a private, non-profit corporation. Our organization is founded on the principle of anonymity and provides services in strict confidentiality. The program is voluntary and open to all California lawyers, judges and law students.

Our network of "lawyers helping lawyers" comprises 30 to 40 peer support meetings throughout the state, most of which meet every week. This network serves more than 600 lawyers each year who support each other in recovery and assist others in becoming and staying clean/sober. The Other Bar also provides MCLE programs, both online and live, focused on recovery. Through its Shot of Sobriety Loan Program, it assists with the costs associated with hospitalization and residential treatment for attorneys who need it. Finally, it provides two retreats in the fall, one for men and one for women, and a statewide Networking Conference each spring, where lawyers, judges, law students and their families come together to share their experience, strength and hope.


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Although we retain two part time consultants to help coordinate our efforts, the overwhelming proportion of the work is performed by volunteers who donate their time and talents to assist others in becoming and remaining clean/sober. On average, Other Bar members provide 20 to 25 hours of service to lawyers in recovery every month which amounts to more than 80,000 volunteer hours each year. Informally, many members also provide jobs to those who need work, counseling to those who seek it, housing, and transportation to and from meetings. In urgent circumstances, members provide short-term coverage for the practice of a lawyer who is seriously disabled, even to the extent of making court appearances to seek continuances and other accommodations. The Other Bar also provides assistance to families and co-workers of lawyers, thus reducing the impact of co-dependence on the lawyer's recovery.

The Other Bar is completely unrelated to, and has no association with the discipline system of the State Bar of California. In fact, many Other Bar participants have no disciplinary problems at all. And unlike the State Bar program, the Other Bar has no dues or fees for participation, and serves a community of lawyers at various stages of recovery. It is the only network that focuses on continuing sobriety -- for life. The Other Bar also differs from traditional AA OR NA in that it is the only forum where lawyers can work on problems and pressures related to the practice of law. Lawyers can be assured of complete confidentiality and the mentorship of others with decades of experience with the same challenges.

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcoholism or chemical dependency, please call our 800 number (1-800-222-0767). Our consultants and members stand ready to assist our colleagues in all areas of recovery.