Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 | 11:32 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- Lawyers in three Southern states displaced by Hurricane Katrina can operate out of temporary offices in Nevada for the next six months, the state Supreme Court said Monday.
The high court issued an emergency order to help attorneys in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama whose offices or judicial facilities were damaged. Several other states have issued or are considering the issuance of similar orders.
"Allowing attorneys displaced by the storm to temporarily practice law from Nevada is a simple step on our part that can assist their justice systems and preserve the rights and liberties of their citizens," Chief Justice Nancy Becker said.
In the states hit by Katrina, court operations in some jurisdictions have been moved to nearby cities. Recovering records and rescheduling hearings will hamper justice systems there for months, Becker added.
The court order was issued at the request of the Nevada State Bar Association, which will oversee the displaced lawyers' practices. The temporary measure also was advocated by the American Bar Association.
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