Memphis Bar disaster relief efforts (From Susan Clark, president of the Memphis Bar Association) The officers of the Memphis Bar Association met Thursday to discuss various ways to assist those in need, particularly evacuees in the Memphis area, which now number 10,000 with more expected. The following are initial ideas of how the Memphis legal community, can help: 1. Provide temporary space for displaced lawyers to work - If you or your firm has space, please contact Dottie McCallen in the MBA office (901-527-3573; dmccallen@memphisbar.org). We have already received one call about a lawyer looking for space, and we expect more. 2. Offer assistance in finding work - Memphis Legal Placement, our placement service, has received several calls from displaced legal support staff seeking work. If you or your firm has an opening for legal support staff, please contact Mary Walpole, MLP President, at 901-527-3573; mwalpole@memphisbar.org. 3. Answer calls for legal assistance - If you are willing to answer questions from evacuees about working with FEMA, obtaining benefits, entering into leases for temporary housing, etc., please contact MBA Executive Director Anne Fritz at 901-527-3573; afritz@memphisbar.org. Training will be provided. Attorneys licensed to practice in Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama are especially needed. 4. Donations - The Memphis Bar Foundation has set up a "Katrina Disaster Fund" to accept contributions, which will go to the Hurricane Katrina Legal Community Relief Fund, established by the Louisiana State Bar Association to assist lawyers who lost their homes and offices. The MBA's website, www.memphisbar.org , has a list of other needed donations and volunteer opportunities. The MBA is inviting other legal-related organizations to a meeting next Thursday, Sept. 8, at noon to discuss other ways to assist and to coordinate efforts and communication. If you have any ideas, please call or email Anne Fritz or Susan Clark.