Permit Me Just A Moment to Be Totally Parochial About Katrina Relief

I am very proud of my law firm, Foley & Lardner LLP. Ralf Reinhard-Boer, the Chairman and CEO of our firm, issued this announcement today:

In response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the Management Committee and the Firm's management and leadership have decided that the Firm will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000 in the aggregate, any contributions by Foley & Lardner personnel to any of the relief agencies providing support to the people and communities affected by this tragedy. As was done with the Tsunami relief effort, the Firm's matching contribution will be channeled through those organizations to which significant individual contributions are made.

Please forward a copy of your check or other evidence of your contribution . . . so that we can calculate the Firm's matching contribution. If you are so inclined, we would encourage you to send your checks, made payable to the American Red Cross or other relief agency of your choice . . . and we will forward both the Firm's and our individual contributions at the same time for maximum impact. In order that we can make the Firm's contribution in a timely manner, please submit your checks or evidence of your contribution . . . by September 20.

During the Tsunami relief effort this past winter, individuals in the Firm contributed almost $200,000 to various relief agencies, to which the Firm then added its $100,000 contribution. I am confident that we will all exhibit similar generosity to help alleviate the suffering caused by this latest natural disaster.

THE KATRINA LAW FIRM CHALLENGE: I am challenging all law firms everywhere to do something similar! If you are aware of any firm that does so, e-mail me and I will post the information here.