State Bar of Wisconsin

Is your office affected by the recent floods?

Practice411™ State Bar Practice Management Advisor Nerino Petro offers eight tips for lawyers whose offices have been affected by recent storms and flooding – from waterlogged computers to wet files to connecting with clients to setting up an office.

• Retrieving data from waterlogged computers. If a computer is wet, cut the electricity and unplug the computer. Do not plug the computer in until you are 100 percent sure it is dry. The outer cases need to be removed and if there is any dirt or other debris in the water, then the computer will need to be cleaned before trying to recover any information. Hard drives are particularly susceptible.
• Wet hard copy files. Place wet files in plastic bags and put them in a freezer ASAP to prevent mold and mildew. Drying paper is a major undertaking and is expensive, but it gets worse if the mold and mildew are allowed to start.
• Connecting with clients. Update your voicemail. Firms with websites can post information on the home page. Firms might also try to get the word out via radio stations or newspapers that may be broadcasting or publishing information for businesses that have been affected.
• Handling office phones. Forward office phones to cell phones ASAP or another telephone line.
• Communicating with clients. Voicemail and Web site messages should advise clients how to contact the firm, and be sure to ask for the clients’ contact information if they have been displaced by flooding. If possible, let current clients know that their information is safe, and you will be up and running again soon.
• Communicating with courts. Contact the courts if there are problems with your files and request extensions or new dates.
• Finding office space. In the smaller communities, lawyers can check with fellow attorneys who have not been affected to see if they have any available space. Check with a local restaurant, coffee house, etc. that may have a small banquet or meeting room and see about renting it for client consultations until they are able to get back into their offices. Check with business clients to see about temporary space for their offices or for meetings. In larger communities, lawyers may be able to find a virtual office that will rent them just an office or a conference room for a short period. The State Bar has conference rooms available for client meetings.
• Working from home. Working from home and using remote web conferencing tools such as GoToMeeting, DimDim, and others also might be an option.

The State Bar has established a flood assistance bulletin board to connect lawyers affected by recent storms and floods with each other and lawyers who would like to offer assistance. Those needing assistance also can contact practice management advisor Nerino Petro directly at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6012, or email floodhelp@wisbar.org.

For more information.