May 22, 2018 |
Disaster Planning & Recovery
Disaster Planning & Business Continuity
Effective disaster planning dictates whether your office will survive a disaster. Keep in mind that during a disaster, natural or otherwise, a lawyer’s professional and ethical obligations are not suspended.
A destructive hurricane is certainly an example of a potentially business ending event. However, the mundane (and more common) event, such as an employee termination gone awry or a computer malfunction (virus or other technology issues) can also wreak havoc on a law office. Other examples of business interrupting events might include illness or disability on your part or on the part of a key member of your office; theft or burglary; workplace violence; sudden staff changes; and trust fund theft.
Disaster Planning
- Create a Business Disaster Plan that includes:
- Important contacts
- Alternate Locations
- Important Resources and Records
- Disaster Supply Kit and Checklist
- Property Protection Checklist
- Business Recovery Checklist
- ABA Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness
- Surviving Disasters: Questions and Considerations for Law Firms Preparing Business Continuity Plans
- FEMA's Ready.gov
Disaster Recovery
- After Disaster Strikes: A Checklist
- New Law Practice/ New Office Checklist
- Disaster Resources for Law Firms
- Florida Disaster Assistance Manual for Legal Services Advocates
- U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance
Other Helpful Links
- Florida Small Business Development Council – Business Disaster Recovery Services
- DisasterAssistance.gov
- FloridaDisaster.org
- FloridaDisaster.biz
- FEMA
- Florida Governor
- Florida Attorney General
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
- Florida County Emergency Management Contacts
- Florida Department of Health Hurricane Information
- American Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- American Red Cross Contact Loved Ones
VIEWS AND CONCLUSIONS EXPRESSED IN ARTICLES HEREIN ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF FLORIDA BAR STAFF, OFFICIALS, OR BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FLORIDA BAR.
