The firm's 350 employees in New York, including 80 lawyers, have taken temporary space at 1301 Avenue of the Americas, occupying some of Dewey & LeBoeuf's former office. The arrangement runs through April 30 but Patrick is hoping Fragomen can leave earlier.
"That's way too long," he said.
A critical period for Fragomen are the weeks before early April in which the firm prepares and files applications for H-1B professional visas.
"We file thousands of applications," Patrick said. "It is going to be very, very difficult for us to manage a move during that period."
The nearly 20 attorneys at Gordon & Rees' New York office hope to return to 90 Broad St. by Feb. 1, after dealing with air quality and mold spore concerns, said Mercedes Colwin, managing partner of the New York office.
She said the building's lower floors were saturated with surge waters from Sandy.
"We were immediately concerned about mold spores," she said.
Environmental experts have been hired and the firm is waiting on air quality reports, she said. The firm's lawyers have been working at 1040 Avenue of the Americas.
Colwin noted that all the firm's files are digital and the relocation has not affected the ability to handle client matters.
Insurance Issues
In addition to resuming business in their own offices, some firms are in the midst of handling insurance claims.
Kedley, of Harris Beach, said the firm is submitting claims for business interruption and extra expenses incurred during relocation. He estimated insurance claims will be about $500,000 or more.
Fragomen's claims for business interruption insurance will be more than $500,000 but the firm doesn't have a final tally, Patrick said.
"We are far from clarity on that, too, regarding our insurance carrier and its willingness to consider" the claim, he added. "We've told them we believe it's covered by the policy."
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