Judges Assistance

The purpose of the Arizona Judges Assistance Program is to assist members of the Arizona judiciary who may have encountered emotional, behavioral, substance abuse, or gambling problems that affect their well-being and professional performance.

This program is in place to uphold the public's trust and confidence in the Bench and Bar by initiating early intervention for judges as well in need of help.

The Judges Assistance Program provides free, confidential, professional assistance with these and other issues that may be affecting you or a judge you may know.

• Depression
• Stress and Burnout
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Marital and Family Relationships
• Gambling
• Career Concerns
• Work Life Balance

Maintaining the Utmost Confidentiality

Because of the sensitive nature of personal issues, Arizona has adopted Ethical Rule 8.3(c) that ensures privacy of program participants.

Additionally, the Director of the State Bar of Arizona's Member Assistance Program is Hal M. Nevitt, who holds licensure in Arizona for Clinical Social Work and Independent Substance Abuse Counseling. Hal is certified nationally as an Employee Assistance Professional. He has 20 years of experience providing services to individuals, couples, and families, and has been providing assistance to Arizona law students, attorneys, and judges since 2002.

Peer Assistance Model

It is our belief that one judge helping another has been demonstrated to be a powerful dynamic that can have a tremendous impact on the healing process. A judge who has "been there" can address the initial fears, and such a relationship can be less threatening than a formal, professional one.

We Can Help, but Only if You Contact Us

When you know a member of the bench who may be having trouble, call for a private consultation. Judges Assistance is always confidential, so you need never be concerned that by contacting us, your call has the potential to do harm. In fact, your call may be career, or even life saving. Early intervention can often salvage the judicial or legal career, and may prevent disciplinary issues.

The decision to seek assistance takes courage; the decision to act on behalf of those you care about takes courage as well. Please don't delay in calling while you are trying to decide whether things are bad enough.  Everything is confidential.  You are not alone.  If you, a friend or a colleague is in trouble, seeking help will make a positive difference.  Once you make the call, you have taken the first step. We will help you take it from there.

Help Starts With One Phone Call

The Judges Assistance Program shares the experience of the State Bar of Arizona's Member Assistance Program, which has a proven 20-year record of assisting Arizona's judges, lawyers, law students and others-confidentially.

We can confirm what research studies show:  depression, anxiety, addiction, marital and family problems, career issues and other personal difficulties can be successfully addressed, treated and overcome; thus restoring individuals to living successful, productive, and fulfilling lives.

Contact Judges Assistance at 602.340.7334.
The 24-hour confidential assistance line is 800.681.3057.

The following active or retired judges have agreed to be contacted should a judge require assistance: