If you get in a car accident and contact Billings attorney Solomon Neuhardt about filing a lawsuit, he might tell you to find another attorney.
“Each year, we accept a limited number of accident cases from the hundreds of people who ask us to represent them,” says Neuhardt.
He makes that statement in the first few pages of his book “The Ultimate Guide to Accident Cases in Montana.” He sends the slim, yellow book – or one of the other law primers he’s written – home with nearly every potential client who contacts him.
“Sometimes the best advice you can get when you’re thinking about a lawsuit is that you do not have a claim that can be won,” Neuhardt says in his accident book.
But, if he does take your case, “fewer cases means more time for you,” he says.
The Neuhardt Law Firm is located at 2602 First Ave. S., Suite 319, in the downtown post office building. It can be reached at 294-9540.
Here’s what else Neuhardt had to say about striking out on his own, and what it feels like to lay down in an empty office on your first day and wonder if you’ve done the right thing:
Nature of the business?
Business primarily focuses on personal injury. However, we also help with medical malpractice and criminal defense.
Why start this business?
Primarily to be independent. I worked at the former Yellowstone County Public Defender’s Office as a deputy public defender and wanted to be able to run my own operation. I also knew that the most successful businesspeople typically started their own businesses.
Where did startup funding come from?
My checking account. I remember renting an office space at 2722 Third Avenue North and laying on the floor of my office waiting for the furniture people to arrive with my desk and credenza. I had no idea if I was the making the right decision, but it seemed to be at the time and has turned out that way.
How long have you been in business?
Five years as of April 15.
Your biggest challenge during the current recession?
We haven’t seen the recession as much of a challenge. We placed a lot of efforts into marketing in the latter part of 2008 until now.
I wrote three short books in the last six months or so to promote information to consumers and for marketing. They include “Five Deadly Sins That Will Wreck Your Montana Accident Claim,” “Why Most Victims of Medical Malpractice Never Recover a Dime,” and “What You Don’t Know about Car Insurance Will Hurt You.”
All of these can be downloaded from our Web site at www.mtaccidentattorney.com. The first book is also available on Amazon.com or from Barnes & Noble or Borders books. A free copy can also be obtained by calling my office. We send out a copy of the accident book to every potential personal injury client who contacts us. We also started sending out a newsletter to current and former clients and others on a monthly basis that is informational. And we spent a lot of time and effort developing our Web site so it provides information about personal injury and medical malpractice cases. The Web site also includes testimonials from former clients and information about the firm. I have a tech person in India who works for us for $4 an hour who spends a lot of time promoting the Web site and the law firm. He works full time.
What was done to overcome those challenges?
Whatever challenges existed, if there were ones, were overcome by our stepped-up marketing efforts.
What is being done to expand the business?
The publication of the books, the mailing of the newsletter and the development of the Web site has brought a lot of new business in to the firm. The books provides great information to consumers. The newsletter keeps us at the forefront of people’s minds when they are looking for an attorney. The Web site provides great information and attracts potential clients to us.
Your best business decisions?
The books, newsletter, and Web site. Great staff members.
Your worst business mistake?
Spending too much money on projects with questionable returns on investment.
What advice do you have for someone running a business?
Try and keep your costs low and focus on revenues. Customer service should never be compromised. Develop as many business relationships as you can.
Number of workers?
Four, including myself.
What’s your five-year plan for the business?
Quadruple our revenues. I will publish the medical malpractice and car insurance books and make them available to the public and potential clients.
Expand the newsletter mailing as much as possible. Continue to develop and promote the Web site.
A question you would ask other entrepreneurs?
What is the meaning of life?
If you weren’t doing what you are now, what would be your dream job?
Bartending at the Ritz-Carlton in Anguilla.
