NEW ORLEANS — Nearly 8,000 attorneys from the federal Eastern District court, based in New Orleans, were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. This has affected nearly 6,000 cases pending before the court and virtually all those cases involving New Orleans attorneys.

A communications center has been established by court order, where those displaced attorneys may be located and keep them updated on the status of their cases.

Gary Zwain, appointed to head the communications center, said attorneys will have access to a free email account to serve as the attorney’s address for all communications.

Also, the center will assist them to replace, without charge, destroyed or damaged files and documents related to their pending cases.

Attorneys should call the communications center at 337-235-2444 or toll-free at 866-456-8297, or post their information directly onto the website at www.laspecialmaster.com. Zwain may be reached directly by email at gary_zwain@laspecialmster.com.