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 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