Case 14 After the Hurricane
Setting: Law Firm; Your Position: Managing Partner
Two days ago a major hurricane forced the evacuation of a huge office complex in which your law firm is located. To your dismay, this fierce storm resulted in extensive damage to the communication and life-support systems of the building. It could take weeks, if not months, to repair and render the complex fit for occupancy once again. It is your task to find a way in which the 75 lawyers and ancillary staff can carry on the essential activities of the business. The problem is enormous and unprecedented and could represent millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Securing alternative space suitable to conduct business at the earliest possible opportunity must be your highest priority. A plan must be developed to deal with this crisis. Your first step was to call a friend in the investment business who had worked with consultants in finding temporary space. Your friend explained that there were two different approaches that you could take. One included locating replacement space similar in size and concept to what you had. The second was to equip many satellite locations, including conference room spaces and home offices, with necessary data and communications equipment and connectivity. He gave you the names of two firms, each specializing in one of these approaches.
On your friend's advice, you retained for the weekend the services of one junior associate from each firm. You had hoped to get the help of a senior partner but none was available at such short notice. While neither has the experience you had hoped for and certainly cannot be expected to be familiar with the needs of your firm, each was described as a highly motivated and trustworthy professional, although they are relatively new in the business.
Two days after the hurricane you are sitting in a suite in a downtown hotel with the names and phone numbers of the prospective consultants. It is essential that a plan be developed by early next week. The issue confronting you is whether or how to involve the consultants.
Note: The choices refer to involvement of the consultants, not your own staff.