Confidentiality
Yes — your privacy is protected
Reaching out to WaLAL is confidential and independent of the WSBA and the courts. No diagnosis. No reporting. No records created.
“Confidentiality and respect for anonymity are at the core of WaLAL.”
Anything you share is protected by statutory privilege. Courts, the WSBA, and outside parties have no access to those who reach out.
Your privacy, answered
Is talking to WaLAL confidential?
Yes. What you share with WaLAL is confidential. Anything you disclose to a WaLAL peer counselor is protected by legal privilege, subject only to limited exceptions required by law. When you talk with a WaLAL peer, both of you are protected by Washington’s statutory client privileges (RCW 18.83.110 and RCW 5.60.060). WaLAL peer counselors are also bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct to keep what you share confidential — and RPC 8.3 does not require them to report misconduct that is disclosed.
Is WaLAL independent from the WSBA and the courts?
WaLAL is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit with no relationship to the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA). The two share a commitment to wellness in the legal profession, but nothing you share with WaLAL reaches the WSBA or the courts.
Will my contact be reported to anyone?
No. Seeking help from WaLAL is confidential. There is no requirement to report it to the WSBA or the courts, and no records are created.
Can courts, the WSBA, or others find out I reached out?
No. No outside entity — including the courts and the WSBA — has access to the identity of anyone who seeks or receives WaLAL services. Law students do not have to report WaLAL peer counseling on their bar application.
Could my WaLAL conversations come up in discovery?
Your conversations with WaLAL peer counselors are protected by statutory privilege (RCW 18.83.110 and RCW 5.60.060), subject only to limited legal exceptions. Confidentiality and anonymity are the foundation of the program.
What if I’m worried someone will find out I asked for help?
You don’t need to hold back. WaLAL is a safe, independent, and confidential resource, and the anonymity of the lawyers, judges, and law students it serves is the foundation of the program.
Looking for eligibility, cost, or how it works? See the FAQ →