Hurricane Sandy: No Vacation for Lawyers
(Hurricane Sandy Storm Path, Wikipedia)
Concern over employees getting paid while out of work due to Hurricane Sandy is no issue for lawyers.
While Hurricane Sandy has affected many businesses and their ability to operate, luckily in this virtual world, it hasn’t disabled everyone from work; this is no more true than for law firms in Manhattan. Hurricane Sandy may have temporarily closed down law firm offices, but it hasn’t stopped lawyers from continuing to work.
Even when the office is shut down, there are expectations from client and their employers, and the clock doesn’t stop. Clients expect that, even if they are unable to work and go on-line, their lawyer is able to continue working and billing. And, associates must meet the billable requirements set up by the firm–no excuses.
In a way, natural disasters can funcation as a way of “cleansing” the way you practice. It forces you to focus your reinvestments on what’s essential to your practice and to morph your practice to be more transportable.
In Georgia, many counties require on-line e-filing of pleadings, which means if you have a computer and a phone, you can essentially practice anywhere (until you need to appear in court, right?!). And in cases without power, candlelight and paper file review, while not the most expedient, still get the job done.