Letter From Austin Bar President David Chamberlain

Dear Austin Bar Leaders:

As many of you know, we had a hastily called, several-hour meeting today to plan the Austin Bar Association's response to the devastating wildfires that have slammed central Texas.

First, I want to assure you that we will have a team of Austin bar members in Bastrop tomorrow and the rest of this week from 9am to 9pm each day to answer basic legal questions. The teams will be based at the two principal relief centers. We will work each center in three shifts. We will be joined on each shift at each center by select law students from the UT Law Clinic.

Second, I want to assure you that we first cleared our plans with the bar leadership in Bastrop County, and they have expressed their gratitude for our efforts. We have also been in constant contact with the State Bar and Texas Rio Grande Legal Service who have also been very supportive.

Third, we are also organizing a campaign for donations of life's necessities and cash, but also for temporary office space and pens, stalls and pastures for livestock and pets.

I have appointed David Courreges and Amy Welborn to co-chair our emergency response effort. They have really stepped up to the plate and I appreciate their leadership and service. Please thank them. If you can help with volunteering your time, please call Amy or David.

I want to also thank Senator Kirk Watson and his General Counsel, Edna Butts, for meeting with us today and helping us plan our response and activities. We are in excellent hands with their leadership. They are working on securing onsite response teams from Texas health and human services, DPS and other state agencies so matters involving birth certificates, licenses and motor vehicle titles can be expedited.

Also, big thanks to President-elect Lance Sharp and our ED, Delaine Ward, and our communications director, Kat Hinson, and our state bar director, Joann Merica.

Going forward, we will examine the need for Austin Bar onsite services in western Travis County.

I ask that you help us spread the word. We need all the help we can get.

It's been a good day to be president of the Austin Bar. We could certainly do without the disaster, but the response from our bar association has been truly awesome. But we have a lot more to do.

David E. Chamberlain
Board Certified, Personal Injury Trial Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Chamberlain♦McHaney
301 Congress, 21st Floor
Austin, Tx 78701
512-474-9124