Court Information
and Orders For current information on court closings
please see Texas Courts Online.
The Supreme Court of Texas
has issued two emergency orders. The first
order provides greater time for certain filings. The second
order allows displaced lawyers and out-of-state legal aid
attorneys to practice in Texas for 30 days.
The U.S. Southern District
of Texas Bankruptcy Court has issued an emergency
general order related to Hurricane Ike (pdf) MCLE Deadlines
Extended
An automatic 90-day extension on MCLE requirements
will be granted for attorneys in the 29 FEMA-designated counties whose birth month is in September, October,
or November. For more information contact the MCLE department at (800)204-2222, Ext. 1806 or by email.
Donation Information Please consider
making a donation to help those affected by the storm. Click
here for donation details. Clearinghouse for Help Requests
and Offers
The State Bar has established a clearinghouse
where attorneys can request and offer help with needs such as office space,
housing, and supplies. Email requests and offers to ikeresponse@texasbar.com. Requestors should include their bar number, office address before
the storm, and current contact information. We will do our best to match
offers with those in need. Hurricane Relief Resources
People affected by hurricanes will face a number of legal issues
and questions. Please see our disaster
relief resources page for federal and state agencies that can help.
The State Bar of Texas has a disaster hotline, (800)504-7030,
to help assist with basic legal questions following a disaster.
The
Houston Bar Association has a daily LegalLine for those affected by the
storm. Volunteer attorneys will answer legal questions from the public from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily through Oct. 1, 2008. The public
may call the LegalLine at (713)759-1133 or toll
free (866)959-1133.
Ten Minute Mentor has more than 20 free videos for attorneys about disaster response and recovery. Click here for more disaster resources for attorneys.
TexasBarCLE is hosting a webcast CLE, "Client and Business Information Recovery: Ike is Gone...What Now?," on October 7 from 12:30-1:30 that is free to those who were in the impacted counties ($80 for others).
The IRS has
extended the Sept. 15 filing deadline for those affected
by Hurricane Ike.
How to Volunteer
Please provide your contact information if you're an attorney willing to help answer basic legal questions of those in need.
A training program for attorneys who would like to help answer legal questions, including FEMA-related questions, will take place Monday, Sept. 22, from 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Baker Botts, 32nd floor of One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana. The training is free and approved for 3.5 hours of MCLE credit. RSVP to mariar@hba.org
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