State Bar Has Disaster Recovery Resources; Plan Ahead

Nov. 1, 2012 – State Bar of Wisconsin resources are available to help our East Coast members in the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s destruction and for members who experience disaster closer to home. From disaster recovery to emotional support, help is a phone call or an email away.

• Practice411 Law Office Management Assistance Program is available for guidance on your technology and office questions. Call (800) 444-9404, ext. 6012, or email practicehelp@wisbar.org with your questions.

• Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) 24-hour helpline (800) 543-2625. Trained volunteer lawyers and judges are available to offer support and guidance.

• Law office recovery information is available on flooding, disaster/recovery, damaged, records, and rebuilding your firm/practice.

Plan Ahead Before Disaster Strikes

Hurricane Sandy also serves as an important reminder to Wisconsin lawyers to have a recovery plan in place before disaster strikes. Read Tom Watson’s July 2012 Wisconsin Lawyer article, “Up in Smoke: Prepare a Disaster-recovery Plan Before Disaster Strikes.”

Watson lists of 10 pieces of critical information to maintain off premises should the worst happen. In addition, visit WisBar.org for links to disaster-related resources.

In your disaster-recovery planning, think about whether it makes sense to move your practice management, time and billing, and client collaboration platforms to a cloud-based system,” says Nerino Petro, State Bar practice management advisor.

State Bar members will soon announce a new benefit in which members receive a discount on cloud-based services through Clio.