LAW FIRM DISASTER RECOVERY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLAN

PLAN INFORMATION

SECTION 1: PLAN OVERVIEW

1.1 Purpose

This Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan establishes procedures to:

☐ Ensure continuity of essential legal services during emergencies

☐ Protect client data and confidential information

☐ Minimize disruption to client matters and deadlines

☐ Safeguard firm assets and resources

☐ Provide clear guidance for personnel during emergencies

☐ Meet ethical obligations to clients during disruptions

1.2 Scope

This plan covers:

☐ Natural disasters (earthquake, flood, fire, severe weather)

☐ Technology failures (system outages, data loss, cyberattacks)

☐ Facility emergencies (building damage, utility failure)

☐ Public health emergencies (pandemic, illness)

☐ Personnel emergencies (death, incapacity of key personnel)

☐ Civil disturbances and security threats

1.3 Recovery Objectives

SECTION 2: EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

2.1 Disaster Recovery Team

2.2 External Emergency Contacts

2.3 All Personnel Contact List

SECTION 3: RISK ASSESSMENT

3.1 Threat Analysis

3.2 Business Impact Analysis

SECTION 4: DATA BACKUP AND RECOVERY

4.1 Backup Configuration

4.2 Backup Verification

4.3 Offsite Storage

Primary Backup Location:

Secondary Backup Location:

SECTION 5: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES

5.1 Immediate Response (First 4 Hours)

Step 1: Assess the Situation

☐ Ensure safety of all personnel

☐ Evacuate if necessary

☐ Account for all employees

☐ Assess nature and extent of emergency

☐ Contact emergency services if needed

Step 2: Activate Disaster Recovery Team

☐ Contact Plan Coordinator

☐ Notify Managing Partner

☐ Convene emergency response team

☐ Establish command center

☐ Document all actions taken

Step 3: Initial Communications

☐ Send initial alert to all staff

☐ Establish communication method

☐ Provide safety/status updates

☐ Identify immediate needs

5.2 Short-Term Response (4-24 Hours)

Step 4: Assess Business Impact

☐ Determine extent of damage/disruption

☐ Identify affected systems and data

☐ Review upcoming deadlines (next 72 hours)

☐ Identify critical client matters

☐ Assess facility status

Step 5: Activate Continuity Measures

☐ Enable remote work capabilities

☐ Activate backup systems

☐ Redirect phone/communications

☐ Notify cloud service providers

☐ Engage IT support/MSP

Step 6: Client Communication

☐ Identify clients with imminent deadlines

☐ Contact clients regarding emergency

☐ Request deadline extensions if needed

☐ Document all client communications

5.3 Recovery Phase (24-72 Hours)

Step 7: System Recovery

☐ Restore data from backups

☐ Verify data integrity

☐ Test restored systems

☐ Resume essential operations

☐ Document recovery progress

Step 8: Business Resumption

☐ Establish temporary work location (if needed)

☐ Resume client work

☐ Address backlog items

☐ Reschedule appointments/hearings

☐ Notify courts/opposing counsel as needed

SECTION 6: SPECIFIC DISASTER SCENARIOS

6.1 Technology/System Failure

Immediate Actions:

☐ Report issue to IT Lead: [________________________________]

☐ Determine scope of failure

☐ Notify affected personnel

☐ Engage IT support provider

☐ Activate backup systems

Recovery Steps:

☐ Diagnose root cause

☐ Implement fix or workaround

☐ Restore from backup if needed

☐ Test restored systems

☐ Document incident

6.2 Cyberattack/Ransomware

Immediate Actions:

☐ Disconnect affected systems from network

☐ Do NOT pay ransom without proper consultation

☐ Contact IT security provider

☐ Preserve evidence

☐ Notify Plan Coordinator and Managing Partner

Notification Requirements:

☐ State bar notification (if required)

☐ Client notification (if data affected)

☐ Law enforcement notification

☐ Insurance carrier notification

☐ State data breach notification (if required)

6.3 Office Inaccessibility

Immediate Actions:

☐ Notify all personnel

☐ Activate remote work procedures

☐ Forward phones to alternate numbers

☐ Access cloud-based systems

☐ Identify alternate meeting locations

Alternate Work Locations:

6.4 Key Personnel Incapacity

Immediate Actions:

☐ Notify firm leadership

☐ Review critical matters

☐ Identify coverage attorneys

☐ Access case files/passwords

☐ Contact clients regarding transition

Succession Contacts:

6.5 Pandemic/Extended Remote Work

Immediate Actions:

☐ Activate remote work policy

☐ Ensure VPN/remote access capability

☐ Distribute equipment as needed

☐ Establish communication protocols

☐ Review critical deadlines

Ongoing Operations:

☐ Daily check-ins with staff

☐ Virtual team meetings

☐ Document sharing protocols

☐ Client communication procedures

☐ Mental health resources

SECTION 7: CRITICAL INFORMATION ACCESS

7.1 Essential Credentials

Location of Credentials: [________________________________]

Access to Credential Information:

7.2 Critical Systems Inventory

7.3 Key Client Information

High-Priority Matters with Imminent Deadlines:

SECTION 8: COMMUNICATION PLAN

8.1 Internal Communication

Primary Method: [________________________________]

Backup Method: [________________________________]

Emergency Notification System: [________________________________]

Communication Tree:

Plan Coordinator notifies:
- ☐ Managing Partner
- ☐ IT Lead
- ☐ HR Lead

Department Leads notify:
- ☐ All department personnel

8.2 Client Communication

Template Communications:

☐ Initial notification of emergency

☐ Status update template

☐ Resolution notification

Client Priority List:

8.3 External Communications

Courts/Tribunals:

☐ Motion for extension of deadlines

☐ Notification of emergency affecting pending matters

☐ Request for continuance

Opposing Counsel:

☐ Notification of emergency

☐ Request for stipulated extensions

SECTION 9: INSURANCE AND DOCUMENTATION

9.1 Insurance Coverage

9.2 Documentation Requirements

During Emergency:

☐ Incident log with timeline

☐ Photos/video of damage

☐ All communications

☐ Expenses incurred

☐ Business losses

Post-Incident:

☐ Incident report

☐ Lessons learned

☐ Plan updates needed

☐ Insurance claims

SECTION 10: PLAN TESTING AND MAINTENANCE

10.1 Testing Schedule

10.2 Plan Maintenance

☐ Annual review and update

☐ Update after any organizational changes

☐ Update after any emergency incident

☐ Update after plan testing

☐ Distribute updated plan to all team members

10.3 Training Requirements

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Emergency Checklist Cards

(Wallet-sized quick reference cards for each team member)

Appendix B: Communication Templates

(Pre-drafted client, court, and staff communications)

Appendix C: Vendor Agreements

(Copies of critical vendor agreements and SLAs)

Appendix D: Floor Plans and Evacuation Routes

(Building layouts with marked exits and assembly points)

Appendix E: Equipment and Asset Inventory

(Detailed inventory of firm equipment and assets)

PLAN ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I acknowledge receipt of this Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plan and understand my role and responsibilities.

Name: [________________________________]

Position: [________________________________]

Signature: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

This plan should be reviewed and updated annually, tested at least annually, and updated whenever significant changes occur to firm operations, personnel, or technology systems.