Hurricane Sandy: A List of Legal World Closures

How is the legal world responding to Hurricane Sandy? Mostly by closing. Here is a working list of closures at courts, government agencies, law firms, and law schools.

ARNOLD & PORTER — MEMORANDUM –OPERATING STATUS OF THE DC AND NOVA OFFICES FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 29

In light of Hurricane Sandy, we plan to operate as follows for Monday, October 29th:

* Our offices will be open and operating with minimal staffing. There will be DPC services, Help Desk coverage and conference services available for previously scheduled meetings.

* Except for critical services where a supervisor has indicated a necessity to be present, all non-legal staff members may be absent for the day and will not need to charge the absence to their leave. (Staff members who have been asked to work by their supervisor will receive overtime pay, as if the Firm were closed.)

* Attorneys and others with Citrix access (or VPN access on Firm laptops) may work remotely or in the office, as necessary.

* The Firm’s Children’s Center will be closed.

PROSKAUER ROSE — MEMORANDUM — HURRICANE SANDY ALERT

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Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2012 1:36 PM
To: Everyone New York; Everyone Newark
Subject: Hurricane Sandy Alert

In light of the impending arrival of Hurricane Sandy, the suspension of subway, bus and commuter rail service in New York beginning at 7:00 pm this evening, and related steps that either have been taken or are likely to be taken in New Jersey, please be advised of the following:

1. While the New York and Newark offices will be open tomorrow, and we are making arrangements for essential facilities, finance and IS personnel to be in the office Monday, we encourage all other administrative and staff personnel to stay home on Monday.

2. Lawyers who live outside Manhattan, and all Newark lawyers, also are encouraged to work from home on Monday. Lawyers who live in Manhattan should use their discretion in determining whether to come in, recognizing the potential difficulty in getting home at the end of the day and the impact that high winds and rain may have for those choosing to walk.

3. Your safety is our principal concern. No one should feel obligated to be in the office tomorrow. We urge everyone to use common sense and not risk coming in if it is not safe to do so.

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4. We will communicate with everyone by late Monday afternoon with respect to the planned protocol for Tuesday. Based on current storm projections, we expect that it will be similar to our plan for Monday.

5. We will be advising all New York and Newark personnel by the Send Word Now system so that those without email access are aware of these decisions.

Please be safe.

UPDATE (2:30 PM): Some additional memos:

PROSKAUER ROSE — MEMORANDUM — HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE

Sent: October 29, 2012, 12:35:46 PM EDT
To: Everyone New York; Everyone Newark
Subject: Update Regarding Hurricane Sandy

As a follow-up to our message yesterday regarding Hurricane Sandy, please be advised of the following plans for Tuesday:

1. Although the New York and Newark offices will be open tomorrow and staffed with essential facilities, finance and IS personnel, other administrative and staff personnel are not expected to come in on Tuesday. It is anticipated that New York and New Jersey transit services will not be available Tuesday morning.

2. Lawyers who live outside Manhattan, and all Newark lawyers, are encouraged to work from home on Tuesday. Lawyers who live in Manhattan should use their discretion on whether to come into the office.

3. Your safety continues to be our principal concern. No one should feel obligated to be in the office Tuesday. We urge everyone to use common sense and not risk coming in if it is not safe to do so.

4. At this point, we expect the New York and Newark Offices to be open for business as usual on Wednesday. We will, however, communicate with everyone on Tuesday afternoon about the status of each office.

5. We will be advising all New York and Newark personnel by the Send Word Now system so that those without email access are aware of these decisions.

Please continue to be safe.

SIDLEY AUSTIN — MEMORANDUM — CLOSINGS DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY

Sent: Monday, October 29, 2012 4:58 AM
To: +All Firm Personnel
Subject: Closing of the New York and Washington DC Offices due to Hurricane Sandy

The New York and Washington DC offices will be closed for business on Monday, October 29th due to the historic storm impacting the eastern coast of the United States. Jurisdictions along the east coast have issued State of Emergency declarations. The decision to reopen the offices will be driven by the resumption of mass transit services and the expiration of the State of Emergency by local governments.

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW — MEMORANDUM — LAW SCHOOL CLOSING

Class Cancellations for Hurricane Sandy
Sunday, October 28, 2012 | 12 p.m.

Dear Students,

Please be advised that Fordham University School of Law will be closed on Monday, October 29, and Tuesday, October 30, due to the impending storm. All classes and events are cancelled.

In addition, the Fordham Law Library will close at 5 p.m. today, Sunday, October 28.

The university expects to reopen on Wednesday, subject to conditions.

Please watch the Fordham University and Law School web pages for further announcements. Updates are also on the Severe Weather Line, 800 280 SNOW (7669), and Emergency Information Line, 877 375 HELP (4357).

Be safe!

Inclement Weather Closes Federal Courts [United States Courts]
Hurricane Sandy causes closings, cancellations around D.C. region [Washington Post]
Hurricane Sandy: Live Updates [New York Times]
As Hurricane Sandy Closes Many East Coast Courts, Supreme Court Plans to Stay Open [ABA Journal]
Several Law Schools Announce Hurricane Sandy Closings [ABA Journal]

Earlier: Frankenstorm Closes Everything, Except SCOTUS… And Above The Law