The Florida Bar News August 29, 2023

YLD President Anisha Patel says there is an urgent need for more volunteers to provide simple advice about how those impacted by the storm can get their lives back in order.

With Hurricane Idalia landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast causing widespread property damage and displacement, residents now face a bevy of legal questions without a lot of answers.

The Young Lawyers Division has opened its Disaster Legal Services Hotline, which answers legal questions for hurricane victims on a pro-bono basis, in conjunction with the ABA’s Young Lawyers Section and FEMA.

YLD President Anisha Patel says there is an urgent need for more volunteers to provide simple advice about how those impacted by the storm can get their lives back in order.

“The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division needs volunteers to assist disaster survivors in the aftermath of this life-changing event,” Patel said. “Please consider offering your time by providing free legal services to fellow Floridians in their time of need.”

The hotline allows low-income residents to ask legal questions through a dedicated voicemail system placed on the YLD’s 1-800 hotline or at FEMA centers. The messages are then triaged and sent to an available volunteer lawyer to respond.

The call for volunteer attorneys has never been higher. All Florida Bar members eligible to practice may volunteer to provide basic civil legal services for people who cannot otherwise afford legal representation in non-fee-generating cases.

The division’s volunteer lawyers will guide callers through the recovery process using the Disaster Assistance Manual for Legal Services Advocates, which teaches hotline volunteers what they need to know to better assist victims.

Volunteers should be willing to serve and have a basic understanding of common problems experienced by disaster victims. The legal questions most frequently asked related to hurricane disasters involve landlord/tenant and other housing problems, consumer protection matters, and home repair contracts.

Those willing to volunteer their time and legal experience, visit The Florida Bar YLD’s website for more information and to register.

“We understand you may have concerns regarding conflicts of interest in assisting survivors with legal matters related to a federally declared disaster,” Patel said. “However, in 2017, The Florida Supreme Court adopted Rule 4-6.6 that alleviates some of these concerns by easing the application of the conflict of interest rules in these situations. For more information on this regarding the adoption of Rule 4-6.6, please see The Florida Bar News article here.”

Pro bono attorneys will listen to the concerns of victims and discuss the recovery options available through FEMA and other organizations.

“Many young lawyers shy away from pro bono work because it’s new or feels uncomfortable,” Patel said. “However, serving those in need, at a time when they need it the most, is a fundamental part of our role and commitment to the public.”

The Florida Bar also has an entire web page of resources and tips dedicated to dealing with hurricanes, both for lawyers and the public.

The Supreme Court is also posting weather related emergency orders here.