Pro bono lawyers from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan and Citigroup and staff attorneys from the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, in consultation with NOLAC, the Pro Bono Project, Tulane Law School, Loyola Law School and others, have founded Second Wind, a grassroots, nonprofit organization assisting New Orleans small businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The group will work to secure financial assistance for small businesses, similar to the grants provided to small businesses in lower Manhattan after September 11th, and to ensure that small businesses play a meaningful role in the city's rebuilding process. Read more about the group's action points.

Second Wind will also address issues such as relief program reform, insurance settlement negotiation, debt reduction, bridge loans, commercial lease issues, tax incentives, and infrastructure repair.

For more information, including the group's meeting schedule and how to apply for membership, please visit [LINK to come].

Click here to download a copy of the intake form (opens a PDF file).

Second Wind will hold a meeting for small businesses affected by Katrina, at 6pm on March 7, 2006 in New Orleans. For information, inquire at voiletsnola@aol.com.