As a native Houstonian, I’ve lived through my share of disasters. From hurricanes, freezes to those so-called “500-year floods” that arrive every few years. As a Texas attorney, I’ve also had a front-row seat to something far more encouraging: watching our legal community step up for clients, colleagues, and communities when things go sideways.

Texas attorneys play a critical role in recovery and continuity during crises, but we’re still vulnerable to manmade and natural disaster chaos. And despite how often we advise clients to plan for the unexpected, many of us haven’t done the same for our own practices.

It’s of paramount importance, and responsible lawyering, that we prepare ourselves and our law firms for the worst.

Disasters don’t only come in the form of hurricanes and floods. For attorneys, they can look like ransomware attacks, sudden medical emergencies, office fires, or prolonged power outages.

And remember, disasters don’t suspend our ethical obligations. If you were unexpectedly sidelined, what would happen to your cases? Your trust account? Would you still be able to meet deadlines and protect client interests?

Thinking about heart attacks and hurricanes isn’t exactly a fun way to spend time—but it is a necessary one. The good news is you can absolutely prepare for them. A little foresight can go a long way toward protecting your firm, clients, and peace of mind.

Join me on January 29 for a free CLE where I’ll talk through best practices for disaster preparedness.

Disaster Preparedness Tips for Texas Law Firms

• Be a compassionate leader. If authorities warn of an imminent disaster, don’t make your staff take PTO to prove dedication. Remote work is more than just a perk, it’s a continuity strategy. With modern practice management tools, staff can work and bill from anywhere.
• Run at least one disaster drill each year. It’s all eye rolls and gripes until the tornado sirens go off (ask Fort Worth!). Be sure new staff are aware of the emergency plan right from the start.

• Review your insurance policy annually. Know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t. Does your policy address lost revenue as well as property damage? Are cyber incidents included, or do they require a separate rider? Being aware of these details matter when the pressure is on.
• Store backups off-site and off-region. A backup server across town won’t help if a statewide freeze or regional outage hits. Geographic separation is key.
• Plan for yourself as a resource. Your clients and staff depend on you. Personal preparedness is professional preparedness. Keep emergency contacts, medication lists, and copies of essential documents secure and accessible.
• Write it down. Memory is not a strategy when under stress. Document critical information like insurance contacts, server locations, and emergency procedures. Recall gets harder when adrenaline is high.

For Texas attorneys who want detailed, practical guidance, join us on January 29th at 1 PM CT for Disaster Planning for Texas Attorneys. This free CLE is specifically designed with our state’s unique risks in mind and provides concrete steps to protect your practice. It’s a chance to pressure-test your firm’s readiness.

Disaster planning is about stewardship of your clients, colleagues, and the legal profession we’re proud to be part of.

Learn how Smokeball’s practice management software can help transform your law firm at smokeball.com. Smokeball is a member benefit partner with the State Bar of Texas; with this partnership, members are eligible for a 10% discount on new Smokeball subscriptions. Get your discount now!