WisBar News
September 28, 2005
isconsin lawyers gear up to help those impacted by Hurricane Katrina
The State Bar of Wisconsin joins the nation in extending its concern and support to those recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. In the months ahead, thousands of people will need our assistance with various legal situations. The State Bar is working with the state's Emergency Operations Center, local bar associations, and various legal assistance programs to organize free legal services to displaced persons who relocate to Wisconsin.
Wisconsin lawyers gear up to help those impacted by Hurricane
Katrina
The State Bar encourages its members to provide free legal services
or to contribute generously to one of the various organizations that are
attempting to relieve the significant misery caused by Hurricane
Katrina. The recovery process will be a long one and much assistance
will be needed. Wisconsin lawyers can help in the following ways:
- State Bar of Wisconsin. The State Bar is working
with the state's Emergency Operations Center, local bar associations,
and various legal assistance programs to organize free legal services
to
displaced persons who relocate to Wisconsin. The Young Lawyers
Division is working with the American Bar Association and FEMA to
provide legal assistance to those in affected states through hotlines.
In addition, it has established telephone numbers, (800) 444-9494,
ext. 6004, or (608) 250-6004, that evacuees locating to Wisconsin can
call to request legal advice about issues specific to their stay in
Wisconsin. Wisconsin lawyers interested in providing pro bono services
should contact Jeff Brown,
State Bar pro bono coordinator, at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6177.
- Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic. Volunteer for a
shift at the legal services desk at the State Fair Park shelter for
hurricane evacuees. Volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday from
12:30 to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. The State Bar is providing free
professional liability coverage and LexisNexis research for volunteer
attorneys. Every area of law is affected. When volunteers receive
questions that they cannot answer, other Marquette Volunteer Clinic
volunteers are available to help. Contact Tanner Kilander at (414)
640-8824. More
- American Bar
Association. Visit the ABA Hurricane Katrina Web site for
comprehensive information on volunteering your professional services,
donating to relief agencies, and providing other assistance to the
victims of hurricane Katrina.
- American Red Cross.
Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than
70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of
disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes,
hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and
other natural and man-made disasters. You can also donate by phone at:
(800) HELP-NOW (800) 435-7669.
- Bush - Clinton Katrina
Fund. Former presidents Bush and Clinton have established a joint
charitable fund to receive donations to assist the victims of Hurricane
Katrina. This fund will serve as an umbrella organization for the three
special funds established by governors of Alabama, Louisiana, and
Mississippi and will focus on collecting donations to assist in the
long-term recovery plan for the states affected by this terrible
tragedy. Mail a check or money order payable to the "Bush-Clinton
Katrina Fund" to: Office of President Clinton, Re: Bush-Clinton Katrina
Fund, 55 W125th Street, New York, NY 10027, or, Office of President
George H. W. Bush, Re: Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, 10000 Memorial Dr.,
Suite 900, Houston, TX 77024.
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