Page 95 - 2020OctoberBOG

Top 10 Parishes by # of Applications
Parish Applications Attys. Listed
Orleans 702 43
Jefferson 581 38
St. Tammany 555 27
E. Baton Rouge 468 30
Terrebonne 320 16
Lafayette 199 16
Lafourche 154 17
Livingston 154 23
Tangipahoa 136 20
Calcasieu 118 8

Access to Justice Committee

Disaster Response Subcommittee remains essential to coordination of civil legal aid
response as Louisiana faces natural disaster during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ann Gregorie, Chair

Pandemic Response
The ATJ Committee’s Disaster Response Subcommittee has been active since the beginning
of March 2020 when the pandemic began. The Subcommittee coordinates the ABA/YLD
Disaster response hotline, maintains a disaster manual for attorney volunteers, and provides an
avenue of communication for all parties involved in disaster response.

COVID-19 provided a disaster challenge unlike before, requiring a response unique to those
established after a natural disaster such as a hurricane. The Federal Declaration of Disaster for
COVID-19 did not include legal services, meaning that the ABA/YLD hotline was not
activated in response to the pandemic. Instead, the Subcommittee acted as a line of
communication for legal services and pro bono providers, who established outreach efforts
related to legal issues surrounding the pandemic, such as evictions, employment issues, and
domestic violence issues.

Hurricane Laura
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The ABA/YLD hotline was activated on September 7 following the Declaration of Disaster
related to Hurricane Laura. The hotline currently provides a recorded message referring callers
to Acadiana Legal Service Corporation as well as the LSBA Find Legal Help Page for legal
assistance and information. The LSBA’s Disaster Response site (www.lsba.org/dr) was
activated as well, providing a resource for attorneys affected by the storm and those wanting
to volunteer. To encourage attorney volunteers, a FEMA appeals training was hosted by
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services staff. LSBA staff facilitated and recorded the training for
further use.

The pandemic affected Hurricane Laura relief efforts as the subcommittee shifted to comply
with COVID restrictions, which prevented the opening of disaster response centers (DRCs).
Instead, evacuees and those displaced have been sheltered in hotels. The subcommittee has
coordinated with FEMA and Red Cross workers to provide flyers and virtual outreach to those