Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing a daily collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts.
If you have been adversely affected or wish to assist a colleague, please take a moment to complete the State Bar of Texas’ Hurricane Harvey assistance survey.
If you would like to donate money to the hurricane relief effort in Texas, you can give through the Texas Bar Foundation by clicking here.
If you are an attorney who wants to help by giving brief advice, limited-scope service, or full representation to Harvey survivors, please complete the form at texasbar.com/attorneyvolunteer.
State Bar Disaster Resources the Public — The State Bar of Texas legal hotline — (800) 504-7030 — helps people find answers to basic legal questions and connects them with local legal aid providers following declared disasters.
State Bar Disaster Resources for Attorneys — Information on this page includes recovery plans, court closures, court orders, and other items.
Harvey Legal Response
Texas Supreme Court adds, amends Harvey-related orders — The Texas Supreme Court has amended orders relating to problems created by Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath, amending one to allow out-of-state lawyers to practice temporarily in Texas and adding others (1) to permit the Aransas County court at law to sit in San Patricio County and (2) extending the August 31 deadline to pay State Bar membership fees for attorneys whose principal offices are in areas subject to disaster declarations. — Texas Bar Blog
Lawyers licensed outside Texas can provide help to Harvey victims, Texas high court order says — The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an emergency order allowing out-of-state lawyers to practice in the state temporarily to provide pro bono assistance to Hurricane Harvey victims. — ABA Journal
The legal crises to follow in Hurricane Harvey’s wake — With much of the Houston area still underwater, levees in surrounding counties breached, and stormwater reservoirs overflowing, it might seem an odd time for victims of Hurricane Harvey to think about legal services. But as first responders try to save lives in the middle of an increasingly deadly storm, legal-aid organizations along the Gulf Coast of Texas are already working to assist victims with a process that can be almost as stressful as a natural disaster itself: rebuilding. — The Atlantic
Legal aid begins offering legal advice to Harvey Victims at Houston shelters — Legal aid staffers and volunteer lawyers from some large firms in Texas were at booths handing out legal aid brochures on Wednesday to Hurricane Harvey victims staying at a shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston and at other large American Red Cross shelters. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Lawyers, others commandeer boats to help Houston residents amid Harvey devastation (audio) — Lawyer Robert Fickman talks about his and others’ volunteer efforts. — BBC
State Bar compiling Harvey-related free legal clinics — The State Bar of Texas is compiling a list of free legal clinics for the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The clinic list is updated regularly on the Bar’s Disaster Relief Resources web page texasbar.com/disasters. — Texas Bar Blog
Houston Bar to offer legal assistance to those impacted by Harvey — The Houston Bar Association (HBA) is responding to the questions and legal needs of those affected by Hurricane Harvey in a number of ways. — Texas Bar Blog
Two Houston firms to reopen Thursday; SMU Dedman gets involved — Officials at Andrews Kurth Kenyon and Baker Botts announced Wednesday that they will re-open their Houston offices Thursday in light of Hurricane Harvey. Both firms are headquartered in Houston. (Subscription required) — The Texas Lawbook
How Houston’s GCs are coping with record rain and floods — As the remnants of Hurricane Harvey continued causing record rains and unprecedented flooding in Houston Monday, many general counsel based in the city were working from home or elsewhere to make sure their employees were safe and their businesses were moving forward. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
How to get (and offer) help after Hurricane Harvey — Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas Coast, and has left Houston — the nation’s fourth-largest city — grappling with unprecedented flooding. Do you need help? Or do you want to help those in need? Check out these resources. — The Texas Tribune
How to get help during Harvey — Below is a list of services available if you or someone you know is in need of shelter or other assistance during what FEMA has called a “landmark event.” — KUT – Austin
The Latest Harvey News
Explosions reported at flooded Crosby chemical plant — The Harris County Emergency Operations Center reported two explosions and black smoke coming from the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby early Thursday, the company said in a statement. — Houston Chronicle
More than 30 people reported dead from Harvey, and officials expect toll to rise — Mona Saldivar watched from Green River Drive on a muggy Wednesday morning as authorities tugged a white work van from the murky Greens Bayou. She’d held out hope that perhaps the van didn’t contain the bodies of her loved ones, that maybe they were safe somewhere. — Houston Chronicle
Public health threat from Hurricane Harvey just beginning — More than 30 people are dead in the wake of Harvey, but the longest lasting impact of the hurricane turned tropical storm is just beginning: the public health threat. — Houston Chronicle
Hurricane Harvey damage costs could reach $75 billion, research firm says — Hurricane Harvey is “almost certain” to be at least the third worst storm in U.S. history when it comes to damage costs, according to Enki Research. — CNBC
Bexar County delays execution because of Hurricane Harvey — Hurricane Harvey has delayed the execution of a San Antonio man. Bexar County officials withdrew the execution date because part of the man’s defense team works in the Houston area. — The Texas Tribune
Harvey’s winds and rain disrupt Texas agriculture — Hurricane Harvey did more than transform cityscape by turning highways into rivers; it also upended life for farmers and ranchers across dozens of counties that Gov. Greg Abbott declared disaster zones. — The Texas Tribune
Here’s how translators are helping Harvey evacuees (audio) — Translators are in high demand at Austin’s Delco Center shelter because almost half of all Houstonians speak a language other than English. — Texas Standard
40 arrested in Harris County for looting — Burglars armed with a brick broke into a Walgreens near Brays Bayou, joining dozens of looters, thieves and scammers working across the Houston area in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. — Houston Chronicle
Problem Rising: 684 complaints for price gounging after Harvey — Hundreds of gas station owners, retailers, and hotel managers are under investigation. — KVUE – Austin