Opinion
Delivered January 29, 2004
On December 7, 2000, this Court approved the establishment of the Arkansas Lawyer Assistance Program (ALAP). The rules and regulations for ALAP which were adopted at that time included a provision for a revolving loan fund to be made available to impaired lawyers and judges. It has been brought to our attention that Rule 9 of those rules limits loan funds to those generated pursuant to Rule 1.C.(2) which includes "gifts or bequests from any source and earnings on investments of the ALAP fund." The ALAP Committee is optimistic such funds will become available as time passes. However, for the present such monies are insufficient to assist impaired lawyers. The Committee asks that we amend Rule 9 to allow any funds designated for ALAP under Rule 1.C. be made available for the revolving loan fund, with the annual amount of that fund to be set by order of this Court in the normal budgetary process. We agree with the Committee's request and amend Rule 9 as it appears on the attachment to this per curiam order.
RULES OF THE ARKANSAS LAWYERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ALAP)
Rule 9. REVOLVING LOAN FUND
From the funds received under Rule 1, ALAP may establish a revolving loan fund. Such fund shall be made available to impaired lawyers and judges under rules and regulations established by the Committee, as a low interest loan for the purposes of defraying the cost of treatment.