Lawyers line up to assist Haiti.

Florida lawyers seeking ways to contribute to Haitian earthquake relief efforts can do so directly through The Florida Bar's Web site.

The Bar--working in concert with the International Law Section--has set up links at www.floridabar.org that allow members to make contributions directly to the American Red Cross to help the Haitian people with food, water, temporary housing, and medical attention or to local nonprofit major trauma centers in Florida that are accepting large numbers of Haitian patients, including the Jackson Memorial Foundation International Kids Fund--Haiti's Children Fund.

The moment the 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean nation, Florida lawyers sprang into action, immersing themselves in a variety of statewide and nationwide relief operations.

"Thus far, the effort has raised over $26,600," said Edward H. Davis, Jr., a past chair of the International Law Section who is helping to organize the effort.

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"Many survivors do not have access to food, water, medicine, and the basic necessities that we often take for granted here," said an e-mail signed by Bar President Jesse Diner and International Law Section Chair Francisco Corrales. The e-mail, sent to all Bar members, encouraged Florida lawyers to donate the equivalent of one billable hour to the cause.

"Given our numbers, this effort by Florida's legal profession can raise millions of dollars."

Fastcase, the online legal research service, is also donating 20 percent of the proceeds of all Florida Premium Upgrades in February to the Bar's earthquake relief efforts.

For Steve Befera and the Dade County Bar Association, helping Haitian nationals obtain temporary protected status became an immediate priority. Within 24 hours of the quake, the Dade County Bar issued a unanimous resolution signed by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The association's persistence has enabled eligible Haitian nationals to remain in the U.S., obtain work permits, and seek other benefits for 18 months, and Befera believes the status will likely be renewed due to the tragic circumstances.

"As Floridians, we're often at the epicenter of the storm. We have to be quick on our feet," said Befera. "The immigration laws need to be used to the benefit of those suffering. That was the first thing we looked at as a way lawyers could help."

To further their efforts, the DCBA immigration law committee partnered with the Haitian Lawyers Association to put...