Members join Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program board

TOPEKA— Two new members were appointed to the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program board, and five members were reappointed.

Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court announced the appointments.

Amy Elliott of Overland Park was appointed to a six-year term ending June 30, 2023. Bryan W. Smith of Topeka was appointed to fill the unexpired term of William "Billy" Rork ending June 30, 2019. Rork, who served as chairman and was a longtime board member, died earlier this summer.

Lara Blake Bors of Garden City, Lauren E. Reinhold of Topeka, Steven R. Smith of Overland Park, and Calvin K. Williams of Salina were reappointed to six-year terms ending June 30, 2023. Carol R. Bonebrake of Topeka was reappointed to a three-year term ending June 30, 2020.

The Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program was created by the Kansas Supreme Court in 2001 to help lawyers seek treatment for physical or mental illness, substance abuse, or emotional distress.

A lawyer seeking help can be paired with a volunteer attorney for peer counseling, directed to a treatment center or medical professional, or pointed to KALAP's Resiliency Support Group, which offers weekly sessions run by a psychologist who also is a lawyer. Sessions are offered in Overland Park, Topeka, and Lawrence, with the Lawrence meetings also available to lawyers living a distance away via Skype.