Post Disaster Planning - Iowa Lawyers Under Water Seek Assistance
Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 335
Linn County , Iowa is two and one half hours away from West Des Moines , Iowa where I live. As far as the lawyers who work in downtown Cedar Rapids are concerned it might as well be on the moon. The water in downtown Cedar Rapids went high enough that it breached the 500 year flood plane zone. The streets of Cedar Rapids were flooded with several feet of water making use of the roads and buildings impossible. Here is a photo from the Iowa State Bar Association Legal Community Relief Fund. Hopefully it will show up. (Angus Help!)
You never think this is going to happen to you, but if you office near a river, one day this could be your problem. Read what follows and consider if you have a disaster plan that will save your practice from devastation.
“The Iowa State Bar Association has established the Legal Community Relief Fund to help assist lawyers whose homes and offices have been damaged due to the recent disasters in Iowa . The Relief Fund is being administered by The Iowa State Bar Association. Contributions should be made to the Iowa State Bar Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization.”
Lawyers are much for asking for help, especially Iowans, but this is so different I can’t even begin to describe for you what this is all about. More than 200 lawyers have issues with flooding either at the office or at home. If you are interesting in helping there is a contribution form that can be downloaded.
Lawyers aren’t used to being the ones needing the help because it’s our job to help others. I was pleasantly surprised at the disaster website set up for assisting them and was awed by the helpful links the leadership assembled. Here are the links, perhaps sometime in the future someone else may be able to put them to good use.
Helpful Publications
New ISBA Ethics Opinion issued 6-18-08 "Damage File Disposition"
As a result of the statewide floods of June, 2008, many Iowa law firms have experienced flood damage to their offices. In many instances flood waters have destroyed case files as well as other law firm documents. Many firms have contacted us for advice regarding the handling and destruction of the flood damaged files. To assist the practicing Bar we issue the following guidance regarding the disposal of damaged files. Read Entire Decision
Disaster Recovery for Law Firms
(Excerpted from "The Essential Formbook: Comprehensive Management Tools for Lawyers, Volume IV"
Emergency Salvage of Wet Books and Records
The recovery of books and records after exposure to a water-based emergency can be successful and cost-effective if staff and management are prepared ahead of time and react in a timely way. Many libraries and archives have recovered in splendid form because staff knew precisely what to do in an emergency. However, if decisions and actions are delayed more than a few hours, collections may be lost or so seriously damaged that recovery becomes a major undertaking. Read More
The Psychological Effects of Disaster
By Geralyn Datz, PhD with recommendations by the National Center for PTSD
The Long-term Impact of Hurricanes Katrina & Rita: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work, and Financial Life
By Geralyn Datz, PhD with recommendations from the US Dept of Health and Human Services
NY 9/11 Experience; Personal Experience; How The Bar Can Help You
By: Steven Krane Proskauer Rose, L.L.P. New York , NY
Avoiding Ethical Disaster When Natural Disaster Strikes Steps to Take in Recovery Effort
By: Suzanne Rose, Suzanne Rose Consulting Brentwood , TN
Malpractice Concerns and Claims
By: Roland Johnson Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C., Ft. Worth , TX
Rebuilding Your Practice
By: JR Phelps The Florida Bar, Tallahassee , FL & Gisella Bradley State Bar of Texas , Austin , TX
Technology Triage
By: Jim Calloway Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma City , OK
The Country Lawyer’s Paperless Office
Prepared and Presented By: David L. Masters
The Linn County Bar Association sprang into action and set up a website with those offering assistance. Here is a list of attorneys offering space to those displaced by the flooding :
Temporary Locations for Displaced Attorneys
The following Linn County attorneys and law firms have provided information concerning temporary locations and contact information due to displacement as a result of the flooding:
See also:
Office Space Available for Affected Linn County Attorneys
Linn County Attorneys Looking for Temporary Office Space
Arenson & Zimmermann, PLC: “Arenson & Zimmermann, PLC has relocated our physical site to 2nd Flr., 1120 Second Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids , IA. Mail can still be sent to our address of record (see in signature block, below), as we are making arrangements for it to be forwarded, but urgent correspondence should be either dropped off at the temporary address, to the attention of Lauri Chappell (our office manager, who will be at the above-listed physical location) or the applicable attorney. If the correspondence is sufficiently small (e.g. no discovery requests/responses), it can be scanned and e-mailed. Lauri’s e-mail is lchappell@arensonlaw.com; all attorneys and staff have continued access to their standard e-mail addresses. Fax and telephone numbers are unchanged.”
Bertroche Law Office: Mail to same address: PO Box 155 , Cedar Rapids , IA 52406-0155 . Same phone and fax: 319-366-8493; fax 366-3819; jgbjr@bertroche.com . Physical address: 698 Boyson Rd. , Ste. A, Hiawatha , IA 52233
Mark Brown:
1000 Collins Road N.E. Cedar Rapids , Iowa 52402
Phone: 319-378-9544
Cell: 319-329-8022
Cedar Rapids City Attorney’s Office: “Until further notice, the mailing address for the City Attorney’s office of the City of Cedar Rapids is: 3851 River Ridge Drive N.E., Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. As of right now, at least, we are able to use the same e-mail and phone numbers with occasional disruption.”
Christine Crilley: “We have been successful in moving to a temporary location at 146 18th street SW CR—please use this for mailing. Please continue to use our regular phone number 363-5606 as it is currently rolling to my cell phone.”
Day Rettig Peiffer: “Day Rettig Peiffer PC have temporarily relocated to 1950 Dodge Rd. NE, Suite 106 . All Phone and e-mail remain the same.”
Elderkin & Pirnie, P.L.C.: “We are moving on Monday, 6/23/08, to 1500 Second Avenue, Lower Level, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. Our telephone service will not be installed until 6/25/08.”
Greg Epping: “Greg Epping is temporarily working from The Gruhn Law Firm, 2405 Westdale Drive SW , Cedar Rapids IA 52404 . ph 319 396 9711; fax 319 396 9714. HOWEVER: continue to send regular postage and mail to: 118 Third Ave SE Suite 500 , Cedar Rapids IA 52401 . EMAIL IS THE SAME: gepping@tewlaw.net ”
Fisher, Ehrhart & McCright: “Mail should be sent to same address (Ste. 1010, 425 2nd St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1818). Working from 2750 1st Avenue NE, Ste. 125 , Cedar Rapids . Same phone 366-7795.”
Gloe and Quint: “ The law office of Gloe and Quint is temporarily closed due to flood. Office telephone number has been forwarded to Martha Quint residence Nick Gloe can be reached at 365-3309 Martha Quint can be reached at 390-3570 Mail is being picked up at NE substation Martha Quint e-mail is MarthaQuint@aol.com ”
Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky PLC: “Gray Stefani & Mitvalsky is temporarily operating at the offices of Brady & O’Shea, 2735 First Ave SE , CR , IA. Our telephone number, remains the same, with calls being transferred. We hope to reclaim and rebuild the beautiful mailing address and e-mail addresses are unchanged. Our FAX number is now 319.866.9280.”
Hallberg, Jacobsen, Johnson & Viner P.L.C.: “The office is closed due to extreme flooding in downtown Cedar Rapids . Due to the office being closed, [main email addresses] being checked very infrequently. You may reach Charles Hallberg at hallberglaw@mchsi.com.”
Joe H. Harris: “Please send mail to my office address. Urgent mail may be sent to 1830 Oak Knolls Court SE , Cedar Rapids , 52403 where I am temporarily practicing at my home. I can be reached through my office number which is being forwarded.”
Holden & Steggall: “Mail should be sent to same address ( 1203 3rd St. SE , Cedar Rapids , IA 52401 ). Phone 363-7401, fax 538-0222. ”
Holmes & Holmes: Mailing address, phone and email remain the same: 222 Third St. SE, Suite 314 , Cedar Rapids , IA , IA 52401, Phone: (319) 365-6259, E-Mail: jamesc@holmesatty.com .
Hong Law Office: “We have temporarily relocated our physical office to Hiawatha, but our contact information (mail, phone, fax, email) is the same: “ P.O. Box 1307 , Cedar Rapids , IA 52406-1307 ; phone (319) 294-5853 and fax: (866) 213-4371; janet@honglaw.com or derek@honglaw.com “.
Iowa Legal Aid, Cedar Rapids office: “As of June 23, we will be working out of a location near the Cedar Rapids airport: 9440 Atlantic Drive , in Cedar Rapids . The Cedar Rapids Regional Office will have new telephone numbers at this temporary location: 319-366-0376 and 319-364-2150. Additional information will be provided as it is available regarding handling of telephone calls and cases.”
Jackson & Jackson P.L.C.: ” Jackson & Jackson P.L.C. has relocated temporarily at Suite 210, 1500 2nd Ave. S.E., but our mailing address still remains at P.O. Box 74198 C.R. 52407. The phone number is the same 319-363-2683, but anyone calling us, must leave a message and their phone number. We will then return their phone call. Thank you.”
Kay Johansen: “My temporary office is located at 504 First Avenue SE , Mount Vernon , IA 52314 . I am available by e-mail at kjohansen@iowabar.org and by cell phone (319)210-0570.”
Johnston and Nathanson: “Johnston and Nathanson is temporarily operating at the offices of Brady & O’Shea, 2735 First Ave SE , CR , IA. Our mailing P.O. Box address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail addresses are unchanged. We hope to reclaim and rebuild the beautiful blue house at 129 1st Avenue .”
Juvenile Court Services Office: “Juvenile Court Services has been moved temporarily to the Linn County Juvenile Detention Facility. We have no computers, thus no e-mail. The phone number to reach the JCOs in Linn Co is 721-2262. We also have no fax capability.”
King, Smith & Boresi: “Due to the flooding of our office, KING, SMITH & BORESI (DJ Smith and Rick Boresi) has relocated to the Securian Advisors office located at 1627 Boyson Road in Hiawatha , IA 52233 . Our phone number remains the same: (319) 363-0294. Our new fax number is (319) 378-1688 which we are sharing with Securian, so please use a fax cover sheet.”
Krug Law Firm: “The Krug Law Firm office on 401 1st St, SE is temporarily closed. At this time, Ed and Sasha are working out of their homes. Ed’s contact information is krugedward@yahoo.com, cell: (319) 360-1692; P.O. Box 186 , Cedar Rapids Iowa 52506 . Sasha Monthei’s contact information is monthei72@mchsi.com; cell: (319) 325-5112; P.O. Box 186 , Cedar Rapids , IA 52406 .”
Michael Lahammer: “I am presently set up at Howes Law Firm, 3200 37th Avenue SW. Phone (319)396-2410 or (319)364-1140. My cell is (319)331-6294.”
John Lane : “I have a temporary office with Mullin & Laverty at 1636 42nd St. N.E. Cedar Rapids , Iowa 52402 . My mailing address and phone number, 363-3839, remain the same. However, the temporary fax number is (319) 395-9192. You can also reach me at attyjohnlane@msn.com .”
Lederer Weston Craig PLC: Please see here .
Linn County Advocate, Inc.: “The downtown office of Linn County Advocate, Inc. is temporarily closed due to flooding. The main office number (319-398-3535) is temporarily being forwarded. Due to line limitations individual attorneys are able to be reached at the following mobile numbers: Julie Trachta (573-4883), Jeremy Elges (573-6150), Anthony Haughton (654-5916) and Brandon Schrock (654-5986). Our mailing address remains 115 3rd St. SE, Suite 815 CR , IA 52401 . We are making every effort to continue to serve our clients and meet their needs during this crisis period and appreciate your continued patience and cooperation.
Linn County Child Support Recovery Unit: “The Linn County Child Support Recovery Unit is presently located at Prairie High School Success Center. The phone number is still 319/398-3619. We presently do not have a fax number. We have email at CSRUlinn@dhs.state.ia.us ”
McCool Law Office: “My phone number is being rolled over to another location. My mail is being held at the post office and is being picked up daily. After Monday, I will be at a temporary location at 740 N. 15th Avenue , Hiawatha. Anything that needs to be delivered in person can be dropped off at that address during regular office hours.”
Moriarty Law Offices, PC:
1000 Collins Rd NE
Cedar Rapids , IA 52402
319-393-5416
Nazette Marner Wendt Knoll & Usher : “Mail should be sent to same address ( 100 1st St. SW, Ste. 100 , Cedar Rapids , IA 52404-5798 ) . Same phone 364-0124 .”
Nidey, Peterson, Erdahl & Tindal : “We are currently using the same e-mail and mailing addresses. In addition we are using the same telephone numbers. Frank Nidey, Scott Peterson and Mark Fisher are currently using 4201 First Ave SE , Cedar Rapids , Iowa 52402 as temporary office space. Clemens Erdahl is currently using the Williamsburg office. Sara Smith is currently using the Iowa City office. Please direct any telephone calls to (319) 369-0000. Also please direct all e-mail and mail to the old Cedar Rapids address. ”
Dan O’Brien: “My temporary location is 2750 1st Avenue NE, Suite 125 , Cedar Rapids . My mailing address, telephone, etc. are the same as before the flood: 425 2nd St. SE, Suite 1010 Cedar Rapids , IA 52401-1818 ,Telephone 366-7795, DOBrien@1010crlaw.com .”
Pickens, Barnes & Abernathy: “Our temporary physical address is to be determined. Our phone number, email addresses, and mailing address remain the same. Any faxes should be sent to 877-592-1367.”
Riccolo & Semelroth: “Mail should be sent to same address (Ste. 1140, 425 2nd St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1848). Same phone 365-9200. Same emails.”
Jeannine Roberts: “My new mailing address is 4403 First Ave SE, Suite 307 , CR 52402 . This will also be my office address beginning July 1 (until then, I will be working from my home). My phone number remains the same. I have access to a fax machine, but you will need to call in advance. My email is jlroberts@iabar.org , although my other email is also working.”
Rush & Nicholson: “Our temporary address is 129 12th St. SE , Cedar Rapids , IA 52503 . Mail should be sent to same address ( P.O. Box 637 , Cedar Rapids , IA 52406-0637 ). Same general phone 363-5209. To reach Bill Nicholson directly, cell is 319-721-8567. No email and no fax. ”
Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C.: Please see here .
Simmons Perrine PLC: Please see here .
Les Stokke: “Les Stokke’s office has temporarily relocated to 1636 42nd Street NE , Cedar Rapids 52402 . Mail should be sent and telephone calls made to our usual address and telephone number as everything is being rerouted. However, any faxes need to be sent to (319) 395-9192.”
Terpstra, Epping and Willett: “Ray Terpstra is temporarily housed in office space at 1619 F Ave. NE , Cedar Rapids , IA 52402 . The telephone number for Terpstra, Epping and Willett 319-364-2467 rings to a receptionist at this address who provides forwarding numbers for Greg Epping, Al Willett and Skip Rosser and displaced staff. Mail should still be sent to 118-3rd Ave. SE, Suite 500 , and is being forwarded by the post office for daily pickup. Faxes to Ray should be sent to 319-364-0923. Email remains the same at rterpstra@tewlaw.net . Greg Epping and Al Willett have postings with their respective forwarding information.”
Thinnes Law Firm: “Our phone number is being rolled over to another location. Our mail is being held at the post office and we will be picking it up daily. Kara can also be reached at karalmcfadden@hotmail.com.
White & Johnson: “Rick Johnson and Robert Legislador have temporarily relocated at the offices of Crawford, Sullivan Read & Roemerman, P.C., located at 1800 First Avenue, N.E., 200 Wells Fargo Bank Building, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402; Ph: 319-364-0171, Fax: 319-364-1370. Our mailing address of Post Office Box 5878 , Cedar Rapids , Iowa 52406-5878 remains the same. You can also reach us via e-mail: J. Richard Johnson - jrjohnson.law@gmail.com and Robert J. Legislador – legislador.law@gmail.com and via cell phone, J. Richard Johnson, 319-431-0682; Robert J. Legislador, 319-431-8585. Tim White, Jim Radig, Carolyn Beyer, Dominic Pechota, Dan Keys, and Scott O’Shea have established temporary offices at Basille Hall, Room 212 at Mount Mercy College . They can be reached by phone at their former number, (319)364-0900. Mail should be sent to P.O. Box 5878 , Cedar Rapids , Iowa 52406 .”
Al Willett: “I will be practicing law out of my home for the immediate future. My cell phone number is 310-2658 and my home phone number is 362-2921. My mailing address of Higley Building , 118 Third Avenue S.E., Ste. 500 , Cedar Rapids , Iowa 52401 will remain the same. My e-mail address will stay the same, aewillett@tewlaw.net. I don’t have access to a fax machine right now, but I will try to solve that problem soon.”
Wythe Willey: “We are working out of our house office; same e-mail; phone 365-4751; mobile 319-560-4316; address 2880 Indian Hill Road , Cedar Rapids ; Glen Waters mobile 319-325-4595.”
Bob Wilson: Cell Phone: 350-3279
And look at the Agenda for the Linn County Bar Associations Annual Meeting and Flood Recovery Seminar Agenda. Is this what went after Hurricane Katrina?
Annual Meeting and Flood Recovery Seminar
THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2008
HISTORY CENTER
615 1st Ave SE
Cedar Rapids , IA 52401
9:00 a.m. to 12:00: Panel discussion by Leopold Sher, James Garner and Elwood Cahill from the New Orleans law firm of Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert LLC
• Court issues for pending cases;
• Employee and personnel issues;
• Setting up a temporary office, dealing with disaster issues and keeping a firm together;
• Real estate issues created by the disaster;
• Insurance issues, particularly business interruption to law firms;
• Their personal experiences and what they learned; and
• Question and Answer period
12:00 to 1:15: Lunch and the LCBA annual meeting.
• Election of Officers
• Brief Remarks from ISBA President Dan Moore
1:15: “Considerations for Displaced Attorneys from a Malpractice Standpoint” Todd Scott ,VP of Risk Management and Member Services for Minnesota Lawyers Mutual
1:45: Report from Federal Clerk Ron Phelps
2:00: Report from Iowa District Court for Linn County, by Judge David Remley, Judge Patrick Grady and Assistant Court Administrator Jane Sweaney.
2:30: TENTATIVE: Jim Calloway of the Oklahoma State Bar Association: “Triage and New Technology”
3:20: FEMA & SBA Overview, by Kerry Finley and Kyle Wilcox from Simmons Perrine, P.L.C. (See PowerPoint Presentation file .)
3:50: Q&A
No Charge. RSVP to Jeannie McCall at jmccall@lynchdallas.com or 365-9101
The following are some of the handouts that will be provided at the seminar:
Never Say Never Again
Sher Brief
Xavier Brief
Marseilles Opinion
Posted in Announcements , 2008 Flood |