THE ABA WILL HELP HURRICANE VICTIMS

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 30, 2005 -- As the eyes of the nation remain focused on the hurricane-ravaged southeastern United States, especially Mississippi and Louisiana, the American Bar Association stands ready to assist those injured by Hurricane Katrina.

ABA President Michael S. Greco has announced that he is enlisting the ABA Young Lawyers Division and lawyers from several ABA sections to assist hurricane victims in the coming days and weeks.  The lawyers will assist with insurance claims, home repair contracts, wills and other documents, and related issues. 

The ABA has provided pro bono assistance to storm victims since 1978, when the ABA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency agreed to utilize the ABA Young Lawyers Division in staffing a toll-free hotline open to disaster victims. 

FEMA is now in the process of establishing a hotline staffed by ABA volunteer lawyers to assist victims in each affected state.  A complete listing of the FEMA hotlines and other available legal resources will be posted on the ABA Web site, www.abanet.org, in the coming days.

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