Obsolete Date: 2/28/2025

Section 1. Purpose.

In furtherance of the supreme court's constitutional responsibility for the supervision of lawyer conduct, this rule provides for the establishment of a mechanism to protect the public, assist lawyers in the performance of their duties and responsibilities in the representation of clients, and to maintain and improve the integrity of the legal profession.

Section 2. Lawyers Assistance Program — Establishment.

The state bar association of North Dakota may establish an assistance program for lawyers and for students attending the University of North Dakota School of Law to aid in preventing and alleviating problems that may adversely influence a lawyer's or student's performance.

Section 3. Lawyer Assistance Committee

A lawyer assistance committee is established to oversee the operations of the lawyer assistance program established under this rule. The committee will be comprised of three members, including one lay member, appointed by the board of governors of the state bar association and three members, including one lay member, appointed by the chief justice. Of the members initially appointed and as determined by lot at the first meeting, two members will be appointed for one year, two members will be appointed for two years, and two members will be appointed for three years. Thereafter, each appointment is for a three year term. Each member is eligible for reappointment, but may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Each member serves until the member's successor is appointed. Each member is entitled to reimbursement by the member's appointing authority for actual expenses incurred in the performance of committee duties. The president of the state bar association, after consultation with the chief justice, will appoint the committee chair, whose term as chair may not exceed two years.

Section 4. Confidentiality.

Information regarding a lawyer's or a student's participation in a lawyer assistance program and any communications made to or information received by a committee member, peer counselor, or program staff of the program are confidential and may not be disclosed without the consent of the affected party. Confidentiality under this section does not prohibit the disclosure of information when disclosure is considered reasonably necessary to prevent the commission of an act that is believed likely to result in imminent death or imminent substantial bodily harm.

Section 5. Immunity.

A committee member, peer counselor, or program staff in a lawyer assistance program is immune from suit for any conduct in the course of the person's official duties. Any person who in good faith reports information in connection with the program is immune from suit for reporting the information. A lawyer who participates in the program as a committee member, peer counselor, or program staff has qualified immunity from disciplinary complaints for conduct in the course of the lawyer's official duties as a participant in the program.