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
  • Hurricane Toolkit
  • Business Continuity Plan Template

Disaster Recovery

• After Disaster Strikes: A Checklist
• New Law Practice/ New Office Checklist
• Disaster Recovery 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