We are always seeking attorneys to assist respond to natural disasters and help South Carolinians in need during recovery. The SC Bar provides malpractice insurance for pro bono representation of clients who are at 125% of the poverty level or below.
Contact Betsy Goodale to sign up.
Resources for Disaster Relief Volunteer Attorneys
The South Carolina Bar’s Pro Bono Program and Young Lawyers Division collaborate with various state and local organizations to provide legal assistance to disaster survivors.
Below are resources for attorney volunteers including videos, downloadable guides, handy websites and webinars covering legal issues that most often arise after a hurricane or natural disaster. We will continue to update this list as new tools become available.
Many of the resources included are tools created by legal services organizations in North Carolina, Texas and Florida in response to previous natural disasters. We thank these organizations for their partnership and assistance.
Last updated September 30, 2019.
Downloadable guides and checklists
- SC Bar Young Lawyers Division Disaster Legal Services Quick Reference Guide | Developed after the 2015 “1,000-year flood” in South Carolina by the YLD Disaster Legal Services Committee
- FEMA Quick Tips | Information compiled by S.C. attorney Taylor Gilliam including details from FEMA’s website, South Carolina resources and Gilliam’s experiences representing clients following the October 2015 flooding
- National Disaster Legal Aid | Disaster Manuals and resources for pro bono attorneys
- Disaster Assistance Manual | by South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center for attorney volunteers
- Hurricane Harvey Crisis Response Guide (2017) (Baker Botts)
- Hurricane Harvey Crisis Response Guide, NC ADDENDUM (2018) (Baker Botts)
- Equal Justice Works Disaster Training Videos (National Legal Aid)
Webinars and videos
- Ins and outs of FEMA | Equal Justice Works teamed up with Disaster Legal Aid to create this training video that covers the ins and outs of FEMA, including relevant statutes, regulations, programs and legal issues.
- Representing Disaster Survivors II: Practical Litigation Tips on How to Succeed in Court and Administrative Hearings | Free On-Demand CLE from the American Bar Association
- Overview of disaster assistance (Legal Aid of North Carolina video)
- Hurricane Matthew CLE (Legal Aid of North Carolina video )
- Presentations and trainings (National Legal Aid)
- Equal Justice Works Disaster Training Videos (National Legal Aid)
Presentations
- Helping Individuals and Families Meet Their Basic Needs After a Disaster (Legal Aid of North Carolina and North Carolina Bar)
- Resource Materials for Responding to Legal Questions from those Affected by Disasters (State Bar of Texas)
- Weathering the Storm: Pro Bono Preparedness (Legal Aid of North Carolina)
More tools by topic
FEMA claims and appeals:
- FEMA: A Primer on How to Obtain Disaster Assistance (downloadable presentation)
- Individual Assistance(downloadable presentation)
- Interactive FEMA AppealsTool from National Disaster Legal Aid
Insurance:
- Disaster Insurance Issues (Hurricane Matthew) (Legal Aid of North Carolina presentation)
Immigrants:
Housing:
- Disaster Preparation, Response and Recovery for HUD Grantees and Tenants
- Rights of Private Tenants After a Disaster
- Your Reverse Mortgage After a Natural Disaster | Guide for borrowers with a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
We are always seeking attorneys to assist respond to natural disasters and help South Carolinians in need during recovery. The SC Bar provides malpractice insurance for pro bono representation of clients who are at 125% of the poverty level or below.
Contact Betsy Goodale to sign up.