Take a

WIFF
Beverly Michaelis
Practice Management Advisor
Professional Liability Fund
Worms
Illness
Flood
Fire
It Could Happen to YOU!
Every Lawyer Should
Have a Disaster Plan
Assess and Act
 Assess
1. What are the risks?
2. Vulnerabilities?
 Act!
1. Use tools
2. Take advantage of resources
3. Create a plan
 Our Topics
 Protect your technology
 Protect your office
 Protect yourself
 Protect your clients
At Risk: Technology
Consider what is stored on your
computer, network, smart phone
and other devices….
• Every form you ever created
• All your client bills
• Accounts payable and receivable
• Trust account records
• Calendar
• Tickler
• Conflicts
• Client e-mails and documents
• The list goes on ……..
 Act – Backup!
1. How much do you want to lose?
2. Test integrity
3. Rotate or use online storage
 Act – Be Secure!
• Anti-virus / anti-malware
• Firewalls / lock-outs
• Biometrics
• Strong passwords
• Common sense
 Act – Have a Plan!
1.Disconnect affected device
2.Backup
3.Run malware cleanup tools
4.Hire professionals if needed
At Risk: Your Office
 Act – 10 Key Steps!
1. Put files and records away
2. Use fire-resistant cabinets
3. Avoid taking client originals
4. Recover quickly by being organized
 Act – 10 Key Steps!
5. Fireproof safe for cash/checks
6. Extra copies of critical
documents off-site
7. Go paperless
8. Inspect for hazards
 Act – 10 Key Steps!
9. Establish emergency procedures
10. Create a disaster plan
 At Risk:
You and Your Clients
 Act!
Follow Your Own Advice
• Advance Directive
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Will, trust, other?
• Disability insurance
 Act!
It’s All in the O
1. Office systems – Organized
2. Client files - Organized
3. Critical contacts - Organized
 Act!
Use the Buddy System
Act!
How will trust
funds be
disbursed if
something
happens to
you?
Act!
Inform your
family
 Tools & Resources
 In Brief practice management articles
 Our book – Planning Ahead
 Disaster planning/recovery practice aids

www.osbplf.org
 Remember:
It Could Happen to YOU!
Every Lawyer Should
Have a Disaster Plan