| The State Bar of California has compiled a list of resources to aid victims of the recent southern California wildfires, as well information for individuals, law firms and others who want to contribute assistance.
Because San Diego County is the most severely affected area of the state, the State Bar Disaster Team decided to focus its efforts to provide immediate legal assistance in that county. The San Diego County Bar Association and a coalition of local organizations are coordinating and organizing efforts locally.
FEMA/ABA YLD (Federal Emergency Management Assistance, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division) have set up a Legal Assistance Hotline for victims ? 1-866-636-9041. The hotline is sponsored by the State Bar of California and hosted by the law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP.
Additional information is listed below and in the attached document, State Bar of California Disaster Response to the Southern California Fires
SEEKING LEGAL HELP
If you are a victim of the fires seeking legal assistance, call the FEMA/ABA YLD Legal Assistance Hotline number: 1-866-636-9041
VOLUNTEERS
If you are a lawyer and want to volunteer, the San Diego County Bar Association has posted a volunteer intake form on its Web site, http://www.sdcba.org/.
JUST FOR LAWYERS
If you are a lawyer and affected by the fires and have questions about your ethical obligations, please contact the State Bar Ethics Hotline: 415-538-2150.
PUBLIC PROTECTION
If you are a victim of a disaster, it is illegal for lawyers or others to solicit legal work from you. You should consider your need for legal representation, but your choice of lawyer is up to you. If you are solicited or have other concerns about the conduct of an attorney, contact the State Bar?s discipline complaint intake hotline at 1-800-843-9053.
For questions and additional information, please send an e-mail to: rodney.low@calbar.ca.gov or kate.oconnor@calbar.ca.gov.
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