Practice Areas

Crisis Management, Security & Corporate Resiliency

When disaster strikes—from pandemic to hurricane— Shook, Hardy & Bacon clients know they can count on the firm’s Crisis Management, Security & Corporate Resiliency Practice lawyers for help. Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, key industries have faced a sea change in national security requirements. Similarly, natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, revealed how vulnerable business operations may be and the challenges that must be addressed to ensure recovery and continuity. From the front lines of crisis management to the long-term concern of business reputation risk management, SHB is prepared to assist.

Contingency planning, data security, supply-chain risk assessment, and document management are just some of the relevant crisis management skills that have been applied by Shook, Hardy & Bacon attorneys.

The firm’s eD3 (eDiscovery, Data & Document Management) Practice regularly deals with data security; the firm’s Agribusiness & Food Safety Practice provides advice to clients about business continuity in the context of animal production and supply emergency preparedness and response; the firm’s Environmental and Toxic Tort Practices have assisted clients with environmental release crisis management; the firm’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation Practice has provided counterfeit risk assessment counseling for clients; and the firm’s Global Product Liability Group has assisted clients with difficult recall and supply-chain management issues. The firm has been an active, participating member of Business Executives for National Security.

The U.S. government’s homeland security efforts potentially affect a broad range of businesses. Rapid changes since 2001 have altered the ways that business is conducted in the United States from customs issues and the transportation of goods to the protection of technology and vital infrastructure and the maintenance of a legal work force. Conversely, homeland security provides opportunities for entrepreneurs with new products and services to get involved in the homeland security effort.

Shook, Hardy & Bacon attorneys have developed the expertise to plan for emergencies and help corporations with homeland security and disaster recovery. The firm’s Crisis Management, Security & Corporate Resiliency Practice attorneys have worked with the FBI to sponsor international conferences on agroterrorism, participated with the Department of Justice in planning and hosting a conference addressing security issues, including financial sector security, and helped develop and implement several conferences on business continuity in times of crisis, including, specifically, pandemic and pandemic planning.