Patrick A. Guida
President, Rhode Island Bar Association
“We cannot serve our clients well unless we also take care of ourselves.”
Starting the New Year with Support for Your Wellbeing
As we enter a new year, many of us use this season to reflect on the months behind us and to prepare for what lies ahead. The holidays can be a source of joy and connection, but they can also bring added stress. For attorneys, end-of-year transaction closing deadlines overwhelm our schedules, and the stress often extends into January. Courts are back to a full schedule, client work picks up, and the demands we place on ourselves continue to increase. The result is a challenging combination of professional pressure and personal responsibility at a time when many people already feel stretched.
Practicing law requires a significant investment of time, focus, and emotional energy. We shoulder the concerns of our clients, manage high-stakes matters, and strive to maintain the highest standards of professionalism. This work is meaningful, but the cumulative effect of these responsibilities can take a toll. As we begin 2026, I want to emphasize a message that is essential to the long-term health of our profession. We cannot serve our clients well unless we also take care of ourselves. Just as importantly, none of us need to navigate difficult moments alone.
The Rhode Island Bar Association provides important resources for members who may be experiencing stress, burnout, or personal concerns. SupportLinc, our lawyer assistance program provider, and the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee, a group of volunteer attorneys who offer peer support, are both available to every RIBA member. These services recognize the realities of our profession and the value of seeking support when it is needed. They are confidential, free of charge, and designed to assist attorneys who may benefit from guidance, connection, or professional help.
SupportLinc is available to all Rhode Island Bar Association members and their dependents at no cost. The program connects attorneys with licensed counselors who can assist with a range of personal and professional challenges. The nature of legal work understandably can lead attorneys to experience stress, anxiety, work-life imbalance, grief, or concerns related to substance use. SupportLinc offers a confidential place to address these challenges with the guidance of a trained professional.
A strength of this program is its accessibility. Attorneys can reach a licensed counselor at any time by calling the dedicated helpline at 866-482-8378, and members who prefer scheduled support may arrange virtual sessions. SupportLinc also partners with BetterHelp to expand access to virtual therapy options, giving members the ability to select from a broad network of licensed providers. The SupportLinc online portal offers additional resources that allow members to reflect on their needs, explore strategies for managing stress, and access tools that promote well-being at their own pace.
Confidentiality remains central to SupportLinc. Members may call the helpline without providing identifying information, and all services follow strict privacy standards. This allows attorneys to seek assistance in a way that feels safe and comfortable.
In addition to professional counseling, our Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee provides a different but equally meaningful form of support. This committee is composed of Rhode Island attorneys who volunteer their time to assist colleagues who may be facing personal or professional challenges. Members of the committee are available to listen, offer perspective, share their own experiences when appropriate, and help colleagues who may be stepping away from or returning to the practice of law. And it’s confidential; recognizing the importance of this work, in 1991 the Rhode Island Supreme Court issued changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct, giving members of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee confidentiality protection and immunity for the assistance they provide. These measures allow attorneys to seek help without concern that doing so could affect their professional standing.
Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee members are also available to visit RIBA committees, local affinity groups, and county bar associations to share information about the program and answer questions. These conversations can help reduce the hesitation that many attorneys feel when considering whether to reach out. I encourage any member or local affinity group interested in learning more to contact me or the committee chairpersons.
Our Bar is grounded in professionalism, collegiality, and a commitment to supporting one another. When members seek assistance, it strengthens our community and reinforces the integrity of our profession.
I wish each of you a healthy and steady start to the year ahead. For additional information on SupportLinc, the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee, and other member resources, I encourage you to visit the Confidential Attorney Support and Wellness section on our website. These programs are here for you, and confidential help is always available.
