It is with great empathy and sincere sorrow that we view the scenes of devastation from Hurricane Katrina in our neighboring states, and The Florida Bar stands ready to assist relief efforts in every way possible. We have been in contact with our colleagues in the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama state bars, and we have offered our resources and experience in their recovery efforts.

We have shared information on all of the relief efforts The Florida Bar implemented during Florida’s hurricane recovery in 2004 with the staffs of the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama Bars, but we hope to be of additional considerable assistance to them as they assess the needs of their members and communities and work to meet those needs.

The Florida Bar has been asked by Governor Jeb Bush's office to help find Florida property owners willing to provide locations for temporary shelters for evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. All Florida Bar members are being asked to contact clients and others they know who own property throughout the state of Florida to seek their assistance in this effort.

Suggestions for monetary donations are being provided to our members via our Web site www.FloridaBar.org. Louisiana State Bar Association has set up a Hurricane Katrina Legal Community Relief Fund to help assist lawyers who lost their homes and offices. The Mississippi Bar Foundation is collecting donations to help Mississippi Bar members. The Florida Attorney's Charitable Trust (ACT), a 501(c)(3) disaster relief fund that offers Florida's attorneys an avenue for making donations to victims of disasters, is accepting donations. ACT seeks to provide aid and relief from human suffering and hardship to individuals in need following a natural or other disaster. ACT may also support other charitable organizations that assist in providing aid and other assistance to persons on a charitable basis. Details on these funds, and on the American Red Cross, are listed on The Florida Bar Web site.

In addition to offering assistance to the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama Young Lawyers Divisions in setting up their individual disaster response plans, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is encouraging and challenging its members to donate funds by September 16. Fundraising will be coordinated by local affiliate young lawyer groups. The YLD also plans to organize supply drives for Florida shelters when needs have been identified. These efforts should be made by all Florida Bar members.

As the recovery proceeds and Florida’s legal profession provides assistance, our hearts and prayers will be with everyone who has been affected by this storm.