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Hurricane Relief Efforts - Texas and Louisiana

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This page serves as a resource clearinghouse for survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and attorneys displaced by the storms. Those needing legal help should call the State Bar of Texas legal disaster hotline at 800-504-7030. Displaced attorneys in need of assistance should click here to email the State Bar, or contact their local bar association. If you have ideas or would like to suggest additional resources, click here to email us.






Disaster Planning for Lawyers
The State Bar of Texas Disaster Response Task Force has prepared a pamphlet on Disaster Planning for Lawyers. Read it here (pdf format).

Houston Lawyers Empower Displaced Voters
The Houston Lawyers Association, NAACP, and other groups have opened a Voter Empowerment Center where displaced New Orleans voters can go to learn about their right to vote in the April 22 and May 20 municipal elections. Click here for details (pdf)

A Video Message from Justice Harriet O'Neill

ImageTexas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O'Neill, on behalf of the Texas Access to Justice Commission, appears in a 3-minute video encouraging lawyers to volunteer their legal expertise on behalf of hurricane victims.

Choose your connection speed to view the video(WMV format):  broadband    dial-up.

Click here to volunteer.

Legal Services for the Displaced News
Bar and Other Association Assistance How Can You Help?
Links to Helpful Resources Where Are Friends and Family?

Court Orders

Oct. 12, Judge James Mehaffy of the 58th District Court of Jefferson County signed this order regarding closure of the clerk's office, enlarging time, and extending deadlines.

On Oct. 11, the Texas Supreme Court amended its previous order regarding displaced attorneys to include certain legal services providers. Click here for the amended order and registration form.

On Oct. 10, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued an order permitting out of state lawyers not admitted to practice in Louisiana to provide temporary emergency pro bono assistance in Louisiana to persons residing in or located in Louisiana. Click here for the order.

On Sept. 30, the Texas Supreme Court ordered an extension of an emergency provision allowing attorneys who are now located in Texas to practice law as though they were in their home states until May 31, 2006, if they registered with the State Bar of Texas by Nov. 7. Click here for the Court's Sept. 30 press release.

The Texas Supreme Court issued an order and per curiam opinion late Monday, Sept. 26, providing for extending deadlines because of courthouse closures and other effects from Hurricane Rita. Click here for the order and opinion (pdf).

Under emergency provisions to assist clients in Hurricane Katrina-ravaged regions, the Texas Supreme Court ordered on Sept. 2 that Texas will permit lawyers from Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama to temporarily practice law from Texas locations. Click here for more information.

If you are a displaced lawyer email the State Bar Membership Department at memmail@texasbar.com or call 800-204-2222, ext. 1383.

Legal Services for the Displaced

State Bar of Texas Hurricane Katrina/Rita Task Force

Resource Materials for Responding to Legal Questions for Those Displaced by Hurricane Katrina (pdf) revised 09-09-05

Click here for Exhibits A-K (pdf)

NEW (09/15/05) Attorney Training Video

This video is also available at this link and in the Houston Bar Association office. All Texas attorneys are encouraged to volunteer their services to help meet the legal needs of displaced persons.

To apply for assistance from FEMA:

  • 1-800-621-3362

ABA/FEMA Disaster Legal Services Hotlines

  • Alabama: 1-800-354-6154
  • Louisiana: 1-800-310-7029
  • Mississippi: 1-866-255-4495

Please Note: Due to the volume of calls into the Northern Gulf Coast region, these numbers may not connect upon each attempt.

  • SBOT Legal Disaster Hotline:
    1-800-504-7030
  • Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program: (713) 228-0735 http://www.ehvlp.org

Information for Texas Disaster Victims

Housing-Related Questions and Answers for Texas Disaster Victims (pdf)

The Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) has put together information for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

This is general information and should not be considered legal advice.

  • See this link for the LSBA training manual for volunteer attorneys

  • Click here if you are a survivor of Hurricane Katrina and need information about legal issues such as housing, insurance, FEMA, medical issues, and banking.

On Sept. 9, the Mississippi Supreme Court ordered that attorneys from neighboring states are authorized to provide pro bono assistance to persons residing in Mississippi, in matters related to Hurricane Katrina. Click here (pdf).

The IRS has extended tax filing deadlines for those affected by Katrina. Click here.

 

Bar and Other Association Assistance

State Bar of Texas employees collected of donations, food, and other necessities for hurricane victims.

The American Bar Association is collecting names of volunteers to take pro bono cases at ABAnet.org/katrina

The El Paso Bar Association has helped evacuees with legal and housing needs (one member secured 16 apartments, which local law firms are helping to furnish). The association also donated backpacks for kids and duffle bags for other evacuees.

The Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation has authorized $1 million in emergency funding to local legal aid offices and has established a Katrina Legal Aid Fund. Click here to donate online.

The Louisiana State Bar Association has established a message board where you can post offers of help such as housing, employment, etc. Click here. 

The Mississippi Bar and Mississippi Bar Foundation have established a Hurricane Community Relief Fund.

The Executive Committee of the Texas Association of Counties established the TAC Hurricane Relief Project to support the Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama county relief efforts. 

The Hidalgo County Bar Association and Hidalgo County Bar Foundation have organized the Katrina Victims' Relief Fund & New Clothing/Food Drive.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program – free legal advice clinics for those who have been affected by recent hurricanes.

Links to Helpful Resources

 News

 Wikipedia.org pages:
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Rita



 

KatrinaTexas.org has New Phone Bank for Hurricane Survivors: 713-853-8711 [10/21/05]

Hurricane Victims Urged to Get Information At www.texaslawhelp.org [10/20/05]

Texas Bar Foundation Emergency Grants Aid Hurricane Evacuees [10/12/05]

Volunteer Attorneys Answer Questions for Katrina and Rita Survivors at 713-228-0735 [09/30/05]

Legal Help for Hurricane Victims [09/26/05]

State Bar of Texas Offers Free Legal Hotline to Assist Hurricane Victims [09/26/05]

More Than 150 Legal Cases Already Opened: TRLA Mobilizes Legal Efforts for Katrina Evacuees [09/20/05]

One-stop Website Now with Phone Bank Provides Up-to-Date Information for Katrina Survivors [09/19/05]

Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation Responds to Katrina Disaster with $1 Million in Emergency Funding for Legal Aid [09/15/05]

Houston Volunteer Attorneys Provide Legal Advice for Hurricane Katrina Survivors at 713-228-0735 [09/14/05]

State Bar of Texas Activates Free Legal Hotline to Assist Hurricane Katrina Survivors [09/13/05]

Baron and Budd Pledges $100,000 for Hurricane Evacuee Housing in Dallas [09/12/05]

ABA/YLD Update by Kelly-Ann Clarke (pdf) [09/09/05]

District Clerk helps 100s of Katrina Evacuees with Child Support [09/08/05]

District Clerk, Attorney General work to Provide Child Support for Katrina Evacuees - [09/03/05]

Texas Supreme Court Clears Hurdles to Assist Clients of Displaced Lawyers in Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath - [09/02/05]
 
Where are Friends and Family? How Can You Help?

 Register with the
Red Cross Family Links Registry





Also see:

Any links to external websites and/or non-State Bar of Texas information are provided as a courtesy. The State Bar of Texas does not represent or endorse the content, views, reliability, or accuracy of linked websites.