In 2018, the Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service joined with ABA President Bob Carlson to encourage organizations to plan and participate in events focused on disaster resiliency. Disaster survivors face countless legal issues—from insurance disputes, FEMA appeals, landlord tenant disputes, consumer fraud, health and education issues, and so much more.

Moreover, even before a disaster strikes, communities need legal assistance with disaster preparedness through business continuity planning, securing title documents, meeting insurance needs, and other assistance.  

Examples of Past Events for Disaster Resiliency:

Special Hurricane Relief Legal Line: Houston, TX. Houston Bar Association Legal Line

Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey with legal questions can receive free legal advice from a licensed volunteer attorney.

 

Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Training: Houston, TX. Asian American Bar Association of Houston; Hispanic Bar Association of Houston; South Texas College of Law Houston, State Bar of Texas Asian Pacific Interest Section; Houston ECI; Houston Lawyers Association, Boat People SOS Houston; Lone Star Legal Aid; OCA Greater Houston; South Asian Bar Association of Houston

Seminar to provide lawyers with disaster relief training.

 

Free CLE: Flood Relief Seminar: Charleston, WV. West Virginia State Bar Association

Topics: warnings about contractors, price gouging, and charities, flood insurance, FEMA appeals, and landlord/tenant and government benefits available in a disaster.

 

Disaster Flood Insurance Webinar: Tallahassee, FL. Florida Legal Services, Inc.

Webinar with NYLAG, Storm Response Unit on disaster flood insurance basics.

 

Hurricane Irma Legal Clinic: Miami, FL. CABA Pro Bono Legal Services; Legal Services of Greater Miami

Hurricane relief legal clinic for Little Havana Residents and any South Floridian needing legal assistance after Hurricane Irma.

Resources for Disaster Resiliency:

DisasterLegalAid.org: National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center

 

ABA Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness: Resources for disaster survivors and attorneys

 

ABA Disaster Legal Services Program: ABA Young Lawyers Division and FEMA provide immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors at no charge

 

Creating a Disaster Readiness Plan: From the Law Practice Management Program of the State Bar of Texas.

 

Understanding the Legal Needs After a Disaster: From LSC's Best Practices Center, Medium, posted September 25, 2018.