I am sure all of you have been watching the events along the Gulf Coast. I gather that unlike most hurricanes and tornados, this disaster is getting worse and not better at least in New Orleans as the water there continues to rise. Here is a link for Red Cross donations: http://www.redcross.org/ and here is an interesting and impressive e-mail I got this morning which was sent to all members of the Houston Bar Association. I thought it was great to see how they are mobilizing to help their neighbors:

—–Original Message—–
From: HBA [mailto:hba@hba.org]
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 9:37 AM
To: HBA
Subject: HBA Disaster Relief Effort

As we learn more of the devastation Hurricane Katrina has caused and continues to cause our Gulf Coast neighbors, the Houston Bar Association and the Houston Bar Foundation believe it is imperative we act swiftly and in unity as a bar to reach out with help to our colleagues and their communities. Although there may be additional efforts, the HBA and HBF believe a multi-prong approach to the numerous issues these communities face is the best place to start. In short, we want to respond immediately with solidarity and compassion towards the victims (lawyers and non-lawyers) of the largest natural disaster our country has experienced, and we need your help.

We know that tragedy can strike anywhere, arbitrarily and without warning, and your efforts are appreciated. Whether you can contribute to each request below, or just to one (no matter the size or amount), please help us respond as an organization.

1. The Houston Bar Association and Houston Bar Foundation are now collecting funds to deliver to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund designated specifically for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please forward your (tax deductible) check payable to the Houston Bar Foundation with the notation “ARC” or “American Red Cross” to the HBF office at 1001 Fannin, Suite 1300, Houston, Tx., 77002. We encourage each law firm to make it a firm-wide effort including their staff, and consider matching the staff’s contributions.

2. An additional fund is being set up through the Houston Bar Foundation to provide monetary support to those legal aid providers in the states hardest hit by the hurricane. The funds will be dedicated to advise victims on legal issues relating solely to the disaster, such as probate matters (for those who lost loved ones), insurance claims, prevention of price gouging claims, landlord-tenant issues, and FEMA assistance issues. Please forward your (tax deductible) check payable to the Houston Bar Foundation with the notation “Legal Services” to the HBF office at 1001 Fannin, Suite 1300, Houston, Tx., 77002.

3. We are expanding our Fall Clothing Drive (to include garments in addition to warm clothing and coats) and it will start immediately. Please gather any usable clothing you, your co-workers, your staff and their families may have and contact the Houston Bar Association (713-759-1133) or by email rustyb@hba.org or through our website, www.hba.org. The HBA will inform you on how these clothes will be collected and distributed to ensure they will be delivered to those who need them. Watch for future HBA emails for further information on the expanded clothing drive.

4. From our previous local flooding misfortunes, we know the lawyers of the Gulf Coast will need to establish offices on a temporary basis. Many of our members have additional space that can be made available on a temporary basis, and we would like to donate this space to our brothers and sisters in our profession. If you have additional space, please call or email the HBA with the information about the space and we will carefully try to link up those lawyers who have been so adversely impacted by the hurricane with you.

We will not make promises to any lawyers and will allow you to ensure the proper relationship is established with this donated space.

5. Many of our members are fortunate enough to have second houses in the Galveston area or other counties, or have garage apartments that are available. Many of our disaster-stricken colleagues have lost even the most basic of housing. If you are willing to donate (or offer at a significantly reduced rate) your second home or garage apartment, please contact the HBA by email or by phone, and we will link you with lawyers who have lost their homes. We are contacting the state and local bar associations in the states affected by the hurricane to determine what lawyers are in need of housing.

6. The HBA will provide free CLE for lawyers in need of assistance.

If there are needs that match what you are looking for, we will protect your privacy on these issues and only you will determine who you will deal with.

The HBA and HBF believe we must act promptly and although these are some areas of assistance and relief we can offer, we welcome any additional suggestions you have on mobilizing our membership to respond to this historic disaster. Thank you for everything you do.

Randall O. Sorrels, President, Houston Bar Association and Bill Kroger, Chair, Houston Bar Foundation