The State Bar of California has a number of resources to help direct attorneys willing to help with a recent disaster.
In California, attorneys can sign up online at the Pro Bono Portal to be notified about pro bono opportunities related to a recent disaster.
In the aftermath of disasters, volunteers may be needed to help staff a legal hotline or a resource table at disaster recovery centers. Volunteers may also be needed to conduct legal research, volunteer at clinics, or handle pro bono cases to assist disaster survivors. The California Lawyers Association also maintains a list of volunteer opportunities.
Online training and technical assistance are available.
Contact Christopher McConkey at Christopher.McConkey@calbar.ca.gov at the State Bar's Office of Access & Inclusion with questions and for additional information.
Once attorneys have been trained in providing legal help after a disaster, they can volunteer to provide pro bono legal services with a disaster response team.
If attorneys are not trained to help after a disaster but want to help, they can find free training through organizations that provide training. Here are some training opportunities:
State bars across the country also allow out-of-state attorneys to volunteer as pro bono attorneys in their states. Attorneys can contact the national Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center to offer help.
Attorneys who lost personal or client records in a disaster can contact the State Bar's Ethics Hotline with questions about what to do.