10/29/07
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''The fires have disrupted the flow of legal work, but clients have been understanding and apologetic — many of them are in the same situation we are,'' said Sheppard Mullin's Richard Kintz. |
Of the fires, managing partner Robert Bell says, "It's pretty unreal down here."
Law firms Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton; Latham & Watkins; Morrison & Foerster; Cooley Godward Kronish; and Fish & Richardson have all faced evacuations, and many of the firms' attorneys and staff members have been forced from their homes.
While two of Luce's offices are closed, one remains open — but only for those who choose to go there. According to Bell, "We want to make sure they take care of their families first."
With all the evacuations and temporary office closures, sticking to court dates and deadlines has been tricky; however, attorneys are trying to stay on top of things, having relocated work to different offices. And thanks to the BlackBerry, lawyers are able to communicate much more easily with other lawyers.
"The fires have disrupted the flow of legal work, but clients have been understanding and apologetic — many of them are in the same situation we are," said Sheppard Mullin's Richard Kintz.
But most important, said Mark Zebrowski, managing partner of San Diego law firm Morrison & Foerster, are his firm's people and the other people in town. "Business comes a very distinct second."
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