6 Tools for Law Office Disaster Preparedness
In the aftermath of Sandy, our thoughts and prayers are with the storm victims and their families.
Life is flickering and fragile. Extreme weather events remind us of this. No one can predict exactly when disaster will strike, nor can we accurately foresee all the consequences.
What we can do is plan ahead, so that we are ready for the worst.
For law firms, disaster planning covers four broad considerations:
- People. They come first, of course. Priority number one is protecting the health and safety of those who work with us and their families. When should the office be closed and everyone sent home? How do people get out of the building quickly and safely? What happens if some are trapped inside?
- Work flow. What if we are unable to physically access the office and get our hands on individual case files? How do we prevent work from grinding to an unnecessary or prolonged halt? How to make sure important tasks are done and critical deadlines met?
- Systems. Are our computers and communication devices adequately backed up? Protected against electrical surges or failures? Mobile technology allows us to plug into our systems and keep working even at a distance.
- Recovery. How to put the pieces back together after the crisis has passed? Sometimes the aftermath and cleanup is as traumatic as the actual event.
This is heavy stuff.
Fortunately, help is available. Following are some key resources for North Carolina lawyers:
- Lawyers Mutual Disaster Tool Kit. This comes from the loss prevention professionals. Chock-full of useful information and available for free online here. You don’t even have to be an insured to download it.
- Lawyers Insurance Agency. Insurance is the cornerstone of an effective risk management program. Are your premises adequately insured? Office equipment and vehicles? How about your health and life. Disability coverage can provide needed income if you are unable to return to work. Learn more about insurance for North Carolina lawyers and their families here.
- N.C. Bar Association. Call (919) 677-0561 or 1-800-662-7407 and ask for the brochure “Rebuilding After Disaster Strikes.”
- Federal Emergency Management Agency. Disaster kits and checklists are available here.
- FEMA Family Emergency Plan. Get a copy here.
- ABA Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness. The American Bar Association kicked its disaster preparedness program into high gear after Hurricane Katrina. The result is a goldmine of online information available to all lawyers. Topics range from technical assistance (local and national) to sample “disaster clauses” for inclusion in commercial leases. There is even a hotline for post-disaster technology consultation and tips for advising clients who have been hard hit.
The law is a service profession. Our mission is to help.
Be well.
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Jay Reeves is an attorney licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina. He has practiced in both states and was Legal Editor at Lawyers Weekly and Risk Manager at Lawyers Mutual. He writes the Risk Man column of practice pointers and risk management tips. Contact jay.reeves@ymail.com or phone 919-619-2441.
