ATTORNEYS AT LAW 1009 W 7TH AVENUE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501 TELEPHONE: (907) 279-4529 FAX: (907) 279-9223
©1996 Steven Pradell
A recent wave of crime in downtown Anchorage has resulted in burglaries to numerous offices. The thieves have been brave enough to hit many locations in one evening, leave cigarette butts on the floor, and to return to at least one office again approximately one week later and take more goods. Disasters of this type can harm small and large firms alike. The consequences can be devastating. This article explores precautions which can be taken to minimize the likelihood of burglary, and to assist an office to recover as quickly as possible in the event that such harm occurs.
Installing an alarm system may be beneficial to prevent a potential burglary from occurring. Sensors which detect movement, glass breakage, the opening of doors, changes in air pressure, and other events which indicate the presence of a thief may be installed. Dead bolts on doors offer additional protection. Attorneys must decide whether or not to have a company monitor their offices, and whether a silent alarm should notify third parties and/or whether a loud alarm bell should ring to discourage a burglar from remaining on the premises. While the police would prefer a silent alarm, which may result in apprehension of a would be looter, you may instead simply prefer that potential thieves are scared off of the premises before the robbery occurs. A box containing a keyboard can be installed which requires that a secret code be programmed each time the office is opened or closed.
Burglaries often occur because individuals are careless. Window shades are left open, and lights left on, exposing the expensive computer supplies in the office nightly to visitors. Doors are accidentally left unlocked, or dead bolts not secured. The risk of harm may be avoided if you set up a detailed list of procedures for the last one in the office to follow, and initial, prior to closing the office. Don't forget to include turning off coffee pots and other appliances which might lead to fires. Check all potential entrances and exits, windows and doors, and insure that they are adequately secured. A fireproof safe will store valuables such as retainer agreements and computer discs. Keep all open and closed files off of the floor in case of flooding to prevent damage.
Make certain that you have insurance which will protect your investments, as the firm grows and the value of your assets increase.
The computer has become an irreplaceable element of a law office. In it is stored information which is essential to the existence of a law firm. Computers are also primary targets of thieves. The information contained in the computer and the time spent replacing both may be far more valuable than the price of the equipment. For this reason, it is important to store information off sight on discs or other back-up storage systems. The zip discs and drives are a recent low cost addition to the arsenal of an attorney. Zip discs are able to store a great deal of information in a very short amount of time. Attorneys should regularly back up all information on each computer, including timeslips or other billing programs, client files, law forms, client trust fund, accounting and tax information. In this manner, even if a fire were to completely wipe out a firm, necessary information can quickly be entered into a new computer to rebuild the lost documents to the greatest extent possible. Attorney's computerized billing slips should be backed up at least once per week, to insure that this important information is not lost due to inadvertence or disaster.
Keep valuables out of the office to the greatest extent possible. Money, loose checks, and other liquid assets should be kept in outside storage, or deposited in the bank or other safe location on a daily basis.
Record serial numbers of all computers and other valuables and mark them clearly with the name of your firm. Keep the receipts in a safe place. Photograph or video your possessions on a regular basis, and keep the photos and videos, zip discs and other essential back up information at home or in other safe places. Keep your office and those nearby informed of your location so that you can be immediately informed if disaster strikes.
If you are subject to such disaster, it does not necessarily mean the end of your career. Take a few deep breaths, notify your insurance company immediately, and begin the business of rebuilding your life, recreating your office, assessing the damage, taking steps to prevent future harm, and moving on. Sometimes a disaster can lead to an essential reassessment of existing problems and goals, which results in a new long term direction, change and growth for the firm.
The lawyers at Pradell and Associates can provide legal advice regarding your legal claims, or address legal questions about personal injury, family law, wills and probate issues. Attorneys can normally see new clients soon after your call to the office, conveniently located within walking distance of the state and federal court buildings. A helpful staff provides prompt, courteous service. Give Pradell and Associates a call, at (907) 279-4529. This article is not intended to provide legal advice and should not be relied on for that purpose.