Homeland Security and Emergency Management: A Legal Guide for State and Local Governments

Ernest Abbott is Of Counsel to Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, leading its Disaster Recovery Group. He is also an adjunct professor in disaster law at the George Washington University Law School. Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Mr. Abbott practiced federal disaster and flood insurance law from his own firm, FEMA Law Associates, PLLC. He served as general counsel of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 1997–2001.

Mr. Abbott has extensive experience with the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to eligibility for federal disaster and mitigation assistance; the coordination of federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private sector responders in catastrophic events; and the elements of the National Flood Insurance Program, including insurance, floodplain mapping, and floodplain management. Mr. Abbott is well versed in the administrative appeals process under FEMA's Public Assistance program, and he regularly represents applicants for public assistance in the arbitration.

Otto J. Hetzel is a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C. with a legal and consulting practice with private sector and local government entities primarily with respect to matters arising with federal agencies over administration of federal programs. He is also a professor of law emeritus, Wayne State University Law School, with over 20 years of teaching experience. He has broad policy-level experience in federal, state, and local government, and has focused on reforming the inter-governmental relationships and conflicts inherent in current governmental funding delivery systems. Formerly a deputy attorney general of the State of California and associate general counsel at the U.S. Department of Housing Development, he also has served as special counsel to a number of local government entities. He also played an active role in civil rights matters, helping draft and enact the 1968 Fair Housing law and frequently provides training on civil rights issues.