Post Hurricane Sandy: ABA Resources

ABA Offers Legal Assistance, Disaster Planning and Recovery Resources

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the American Bar Association helps coordinate volunteer assistance for survivors with legal needs and provides disaster-related resources for lawyers, including:

Legal Services Hotlines. After immediate safety needs are established and recovery operations are underway, the ABA Young Lawyers Division, at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, works with state and local bar associations, local legal aid organizations and law firms to coordinate volunteer lawyers for Disaster Legal Services’ toll-free hotlines. Disaster-related legal issues involve areas such as bankruptcy, contract and contractor problems, landlord/tenant, wills and insurance.

The ABA urges lawyers to let their communities know of this program and volunteer as their jurisdictions allow—see website for details, including details for hotlines in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

National Disaster Legal Aid Website. The ABA is a participating organization in the National Disaster Legal Aid website, www.disasterlegalaid.org. The site provides information for lawyers who want to volunteer or donate to legal aid programs. It also serves as a resource for individuals affected by a disaster who are seeking legal assistance and help in dealing with a disaster’s aftermath.

Pro Bono Opportunities for Lawyers. The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service offers a pro bono opportunities guide that can connect lawyers with volunteer opportunities in their area. The guide has been updated with information on Sandy-related opportunities.

ABA Special Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness. Sample disaster plans and information on safeguarding records and serving clients and the public, both before and after disaster strikes, are available at www.americanbar.org/disaster.

ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. The section’s Disaster Initiative provides a series of podcasts, teleconferences and live programs that address issues arising out of disasters such as preparedness, risk management, recovery and response, liability, insurance, claims and litigation.

ABA Law Practice Management Section. The section offers a free webzine that focuses on emergency preparedness and response.

ABA Member Benefit: Agility Recovery. ABA members receive a discount on the services of Agility Recovery, whose experts work with lawyers to develop disaster plans and help law practices get back up and running after a disaster.