ABA assisting hurricane victims

The American Bar Association recently opened three 24-hour toll-free telephone numbers for victims of Hurricane Katrina who are in need of legal assistance. Other efforts include the launch of a Web site devoted to directing those in need, as well as those who are interested in assisting, to the appropriate resources, and creating a Task Force on Hurricane Katrina. The Web site includes, among other resources, information for civilian and military victims needing legal assistance, information for lawyers and law students affected by the hurricane, and opportunities for lawyers to volunteer time, money, or even office space.

Through a 1978 agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the ABA Young Lawyers Division has been called upon time and again to provide legal assistance to victims of natural disasters and other catastrophes. Victims of Hurricane Katrina in need of legal assistance — such as help with insurance claims, replacement of wills and other lost documents, and consumer protection matters — may reach the ABA phone lines at the following numbers:

Louisiana residents: 1-800-310-7029

Mississippi residents: 1-866-255-4495

Alabama residents: 1-800-354-6154

ABA President Michael S. Greco has also asked several other ABA groups to join in the pro bono assistance efforts. “While we are encouraging our members to donate money and goods to disaster victims,” said Greco, “we believe our greatest contribution is the gift of our professional services to those who need them most.” While lawyers must be licensed in the affected state in order to give legal advice, lawyers from outside areas can answer the hotline and help assist with routing of the calls.

As of September 14 the ABA’s Katrina Web site had received 26,000 visitors, and some 1,326 lawyers had filled out the survey — the volunteer legal assistance database — to offer their assistance. Of those, 1,067 were willing to work on pro bono Katrina projects, with more than 790 expressing willingness to travel to the impacted areas to help and 530 offering to help staff the ABA hotlines. In addition, 173 had offered office space to lawyers displaced by the hurricane.

Victims can also find at the ABA Web site links to state pro bono networks and lawyer referral services.

In addition to the toll-free phone lines, Greco has established a Task Force on Hurricane Katrina that will coordinate the ABA’s efforts. Former ABA President N. Lee Cooper of Birmingham, Ala., will lead the group. The Task Force will monitor the initial efforts of the ABA, as well as develop and implement other initiatives, as needed, in the coming weeks and months.

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