Firm Assists in Efforts to Help Tornado Victims

June 2011

BR&G attorneys are participating in efforts to provide legal assistance to victims of the June 1, 2011 tornadoes.

Felicity Hardee is helping the Hampden County Bar Association (HCBA) provide training and information to volunteer attorneys aiding condemned property owners in Springfield. The HCBA's work includes coordinating pro bono attorneys for owners of condemned properties who recently received court orders for hearings in the Western Division Housing Court. BR&G's Kelly Koch has appeared in Housing Court as part of the effort and Dan Rothschild has assisted the HCBA as well.

To ensure the attorneys have the necessary understanding and information to assist their clients effectively, the HCBA has prepared, with Hardee's help, a 64-page resource binder containing necessary forms and information on the Housing Court, state laws and municipal disaster assistance. Hardee has also participated in a HCBA-sponsored panel to train the attorneys and provide practice tips. Click here for disaster relief information for volunteer lawyers.

BR&G's Jim Duda, Mary Jo Kennedy and Koch participated in the Disaster Relief Dial-A-Lawyer program for tornado victims on June 22, 2011 sponsored by the HCBA, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Western New England University School of Law.

The HCBA has established a free lawyer referral and information service to aid any property owners with orders of condemnation. The service will answer questions about legal rights in condemnation cases and assist in insurance claims. For more information, call the HCBA at (413) 732-4660 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.