Federal Courts Establish Communications Center

From the Louisiana Bar Today - Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Judge Richard to Haik of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana has issued a court order establishing a Communications Center for attorneys displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane has affected almost 6,000 cases pending before the Eastern District (virtually all of which involve New Orleans attorneys); more than 9,000 cases in the Middle District (of which 50 – 75 percent involve New Orleans attorneys); and more than 600 Western District cases involving New Orleans attorneys. Special Master Gary Zwain, himself a displaced New Orleans attorney, was appointed by court order to oversee the operation of the Center. A cooperative effort between the LSBA, the federal courts and the Federal Bar Association, the Communications Center is housed at 810 South Buchanan Street in Lafayette in office space donated by the law firm of Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier & McElligot. The main priority is to locate attorneys and then keep them updated on the status of their cases in the federal court system. Attorneys should contact the Center at (337)235-2444; toll-free at (866)456-8297; or by email at: gary_zwain@laspecialmaster.com. For more information, go to: www.laspecialmaster.com .