Firms across Brisbane and south east Queensland remain closed today because of the devastating floods which have gripped the region over the past week.

Firms which have been forced to close their Brisbane offices include Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson, Clayton Utz, DLA Phillips Fox, Freehills, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Norton Rose, McCullough Robertson, Minter Ellison and Moray & Agnew.

Many firms sent staff home prior to the area going under water on Tuesday (January 11), because of workplace safety concerns and also so that staff could attend to their own properties. Some CBD buildings have also had their power cut, meaning remote access is not possible for staff at some firms. However, other lawyers have still been able to work remotely and will be doing so until the CBD is safe to retun to.

Shine Lawyers, which has offices in Ipswich, Logan, Gympie and Brisbane has reopened its Toowoomba office, after an inland tsunami hit the town on Monday (January 10), but its Ipswich and Brisbane offices remain closed, most likely to the end of the week.

One high profile lawyer who has been directly and personally impacted by the flood is Norton Rose Australia managing partner Don Boyd, who was stranded at his farm north of Brisbane. Boyd told media that the floods had “decimated” Queensland and compared the situation to a war zone.

Although the full extent of the damage won't be known until the water is gone, even before Brisbane was threatened, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh estimated the cleanup and rebuilding will cost the state more than A$5bn. Queensland's coal industry has also been virtually shut down, costing millions in deferred exports and sending global prices higher.

A number of firms have started making donations to relevant charities and are offering financial and non-financial support to staff and clients affected by the floods.