Disaster Planning for Law Firms

In this episode of the Law Practice Podcast, the host interviews Shawn L. Holahan about disaster planning for law firms, drawing on her experience as a New Orleans litigator displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Holahan explains how a simple laminated wallet card with key phone numbers helped him reconnect with her firm when power and communications failed, underscoring that low-tech tools can be critical when “the power’s out.” She outlines a practical disaster recovery approach centered on a low-tech critical information binder containing family and staff contact details, bank account information, and password references listed in a non-identifying way, plus guidance on posting calm, redundant client-facing messages with updated contact information. Holahan emphasizes that lawyers’ ethical obligations to clients are not suspended during disasters, and encourages broadening the definition of “disaster” beyond hurricanes.00:00 Low Tech After Disaster00:20 Meet Shawn L. Holahan00:39 Katrina Changed Everything01:34 The Laminated Card Lesson03:20 Critical Info Binder Basics04:26 Ethics Don't Pause06:53 Client Communication Playbook08:12 Why Attend TECHSHOW09:37 Closing Thanks