Supreme Court Rules Table of Contents
PREAMBLE
The Supreme Court recognizes that a wide
range of influences can detrimentally affect the performance of a lawyer or
judge. Prominent among such
influences are the effects of chemical dependence or mental conditions that
result from disease, disorder, trauma or other infirmity that impair the ability
of a lawyer or judge to practice or serve. Lawyer or judge impairment is detrimental to the interests of
clients, litigants, our legal system, and the general public. The vast majority of States have
responded to the issue of lawyer impairment by creating funded lawyer assistance
programs as contemplated by this Rule, acknowledging the principle that every
member of the bar has an obligation to the public to participate in an
appropriate response to lawyer or judge impairment. The Supreme Court finds that the New
Hampshire Lawyers Assistance Program is an appropriate method for addressing the
issue of lawyer or judge impairment and that the program will promote the
integrity of the legal profession and will thereby directly benefit the people
of New Hampshire.