What would you do if you suddenly had nothing? No law office, no computer, no files, no clients. Maybe even no home — just the clothes on your back. During the recent hurricanes, more than one-third of Louisiana lawyers lost their homes and/or their law offices. One of the most significant ways that the legal profession can respond is through help to fellow lawyers in this unprecedented disaster. The Oklahoma Bar Foundation, working together with the OBA, established a fund to help.

OBF President Judy Hamilton Morse, President-elect Hal Wm. Ellis and Immediate Past President William G. LaSorsa recently presented $32,270 to Louisiana Bar Association President Frank X. Neuner Jr. The funds represent contributions from the Oklahoma legal community and an additional $20,000 award from the OBF. The presentation was made during the annual OBF Fellows appreciation reception, where the theme was “OBF Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Celebration,” honoring the continuing generosity of Oklahoma’s lawyers.

These funds will help rebuild the legal infrastructure so that lawyers can provide essential legal services to clients and restore damaged offices and records in the wake of the disaster. The fund will also help defray expenses of legal professionals who are providing free legal advice and assistance to disaster victims. Mr. Neuner said that small grant awards (likely less than $500) are being extended to help lawyers and law firms restore their law practices in order to ensure the availability of legal services in areas damaged by the storms. Grants are made directly to lawyers and to otherwise assist with re-establishing legal communities in the most affected areas of Louisiana. Some of the factors that may influence eligibility are a net loss after any insurance coverage and the applicant’s availability of personal assets to cover uninsured
losses.

“Oklahoma has endured more than its share of disasters in recent years, so we can empathize with those dealing with this tragedy,” OBF President Judy Hamilton Morse said. “We also know the tremendous amount of legal help that people will need, which makes this fund so important. For example, we were told of one attorney who does pro bono work who couldn't go to court because she had no suitable clothing since she fled her home with only the clothes on her back.  A small $250 grant enabled her to help others in need.  We anticipate the funds Oklahoma lawyers and the OBF have donated will provide similar help to many others.”

OBA President Mike Evans said, “Hurricane survivors, including attorneys, have endured unimaginable losses. We need to help those who have been confronted by this horrible disaster. If we do not help our fellow lawyers in need, who will? Help is up to the legal community to ensure continuation of a justice system that provides fair and compassionate relief for shattered lives in the wake of the storm.”

The OBF formed similar funds when Oklahoma attorneys gave free legal assistance to Murrah Building bombing victims and again in May 1999 to people affected by the unprecedented 51 tornadoes that touched down in 18 counties. In both cases, lawyers were on site in disaster relief centers and offered a statewide hotline for legal assistance. In 1995, Oklahoma attorneys donated 3,248 hours of legal services valued at $345,550. In 1999, more than 650 calls were received, and 200 attorneys volunteered to help. Oklahoma attorneys reached out to help New York 9/11 victims in much the same manner.

“It will take time for residents to rebuild their homes, businesses and lives,” Morse said. “The legal system will help them protect their rights and gradually lead them to restoring their livelihoods.”

It is never too late to help! Those wishing to assist can send donations to the Hurricane Katrina Legal Assistance Fund, c/o Oklahoma Bar Foundation, P.O. Box 53036, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3036. It is important to identify the gift by designating it for the Hurricane Katrina Legal Assistance Fund.

The Oklahoma Bar Foundation is a charitable, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of advancing education, citizenship and justice for all. It gives annual grants for law student scholarships, citizenship rights and responsibilities, educational programs for school children, judicial education programs, children’s advocacy program and civil legal services for Oklahoma’s poor and elderly.