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Firms set up new offices in flood stricken Brisbane

user iconThe New Lawyer 17 January 2011 SME Law

Beset by flood and destruction, law firms with Brisbane offices are being forced to open temporary offices elsewhere in the city.

BESET by flood and destruction, law firms with Brisbane offices are being forced to open temporary offices elsewhere in the city.

Allens Arthur Robinson has opened two temporary Brisbane offices in the wake of last week's floods.

Blake Dawson, meanwhile, has partners and lawyers from its Brisbane office working from temporary offices in the city’s centre as the clean up of the city continues this week.

Blake Dawson announced today that its offices in Brisbane’s Riverside Centre will not be re-opened for at least one week, if not two.

Some Blake Dawson staff are also being relocated to Sydney and Melbourne as the firm makes all efforts to assume business-as-usual.

The firm confirmed that no member of staff or their families have been injured by the flooding.

Allens, meanwhile, confirms the basement at its Riverside Centre offices was flooded. Access to the complex, which fronts the Brisbane River at Eagle Street, is expected to be limited for a number of days, the firm said.

The opening of the new offices, located at the Sofitel Hotel Brisbane Central and the Dockside Convention Centre, comes as staff continue to assist fellow Queenslanders with the massive clean-up task at hand, it said in a statement today.

Brisbane-based partner Erin Feros says that while all Allens staff are known to be safe, all have been affected by the floods in some way.

“It's been a harrowing week for Queenslanders,” Feros said.

“Allens has in place counselling services, hotlines, SMS update services and compassionate leave policies so that our staff, families and friends can get back on track as quickly as possible.”

She said a number of Allens' Brisbane-based staff have been out helping with the clean-up effort, while another core group has been tending to client needs and organising the alternative offices.

“These offices are now up and running, which means we can continue to support our clients in the usual way.

“As the recovery process progresses we'll be sitting down to discuss how we can continue to assist the rebuilding effort through fundraising, volunteering and pro bono work,” she said.


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