The good, the bad, and the brief

Our law firm is one of more than a dozen that has been displaced by the damage caused by last night's violent storms. While our floor did not sustain a direct hit, the floors above us did, and those law firms will have to contend with much greater damages and impact to their business than we do. However, none of us can return to our offices for the foreseeable future due to water damage, structural issues and falling debris. It could be quite some time before we are able to get to our offices and our files. Some may see this as an opportunity for an unexpected vacation from the daily grind. I, however, am completely stressed at the thought of not being able to do my work or take care of my cases. I have never wanted to be in my office with all its little luxuries quite as much as I want to be there right now.

The Indianapolis Bar Association has put the call out and offered to act as a clearinghouse for available office space, as well as graciously offered their own space. And the Marion County courts will accomodate the affected firms. Hoosier hospitality and the Indianapolis legal community at its best.

A northside firm took us (partner, myself and another associate, and co-counsel) in this morning so that we could continue to work on our immediate case from their office. The attorneys and staff were incredibly accomodating - offering internet access, copiers, projection equipment, coffee, and empathy. Our hearing is in a neighboring county tomorrow morning. While we could likely get a continuance based on the circumstances, we are substantially ready to go and there is no need to request a continuance. Besides, our co-counsel is here from New Orleans, and we are geared up for this hearing. The case is an emotional one, and we are all deeply invested in it, professionally and personally. Albeit the circumstances today were difficult and chaotic, but our client and our case matters so much more that the inconvenience.

Speaking of co-counsel, I had only met him via phone prior to today, and it was an pleasure to meet him in person. He is an expert at litigating this particular kind of case, and he was absolutely amazing today. Not only does he have the most charming southern presence (think Matthew McConaughey meets Harry Connick, Jr.), but he has been through much worse with his practice in the past year having been displaced himself for many weeks due to Hurricane Katrina. His perspective kept us grounded and focused on the task at hand. What the attorneys and legal system have been through in Louisiana is incomprehensible to most of us.

So, we are ready for tomorrow. The brief will be hand-delivered to the court prior to the hearing, and our strategy for the argument is ready to go. As in any adverse situation, resourceful people pull together and figure out how to get things done. I'm exhausted, but the experience has been poitgnant.

Thanks to all for the e-mails and phone calls today offering to help. I will keep you posted!