Free service connects Bar members offering resources to other lawyers after the recent hurricanes
Florida Bar members have been reaching out wanting to help fellow attorneys and law firms impacted by the recent spat of hurricanes that have cut across the state, including Milton.
To quickly connect these members, the Bar created a Hurricane Help section of The Florida Bar News’ Classified Ads for temporary office space or other resources.
If you would like to assist attorneys impacted by the hurricanes, email the offered resources and contact information to Editor Mark Killian at [email protected]. To access the resource, visit Hurricane Help.
The Florida Bar is also continuing to update its Hurricane Information page.
For court closures or administrative orders due to the storm, check the Florida Supreme Court Emergency page.
FEMA Hotline: Florida lawyers can volunteer for the YLD Disaster Services Hotline to help return calls to the 833-514-2940 hotline or at FEMA centers. Learn more and sign up here.
Unlawful solicitations: Florida citizens should use caution and good judgment in any emergency, particularly when dealing with representatives of insurance companies or direct contact from lawyers. Any contact by a lawyer or a lawyer’s representative in person or by telephone asking to handle a specific case is a direct violation of The Florida Bar’s disciplinary rules, unless the injured party has requested contact from the lawyer. Florida Bar rules also prohibit lawyers from writing or emailing within 30 days of an accident or disaster unless they have been specifically asked to provide information. To report an unlawful contact, call The Florida Bar at 833-979-8225.
Price gouging: State law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency. Anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 866-9-NO-SCAM. Here is a page with frequently asked questions about price gouging.
Resources for Florida Bar Members
LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar has disaster planning information and resources for Bar members collected on one page including links to The American Bar Association disaster response, preparedness, and recovery advice; a LexisNexis publication “Surviving Disasters: Questions and Considerations for Law Firms Preparing Business Continuity Plans;” an after disaster strikes checklist; as well as disaster recovery services provided by the Florida Small Business Development Council. Advisers can assist members by phone during regular business hours, 866-730-2020, via live chat at LegalFuel.com, or email.
Florida Lawyers Helpline at 1-833-351-9355 is a free, confidential 24/7 lawyers helpline available for Florida Bar members to call and speak to mental health professionals. Calls to 1-833-351-9355 are unlimited.