Premises cases can be a tough way to make a living. “It’s challenging, like medical malpractice, but with the right experts, with the right research, with the right resilience, you can win these cases.”
On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen speaks with Michael Neff, an experienced trial lawyer, about the oft-forgotten yet critically important and challenging area of tort law–premises liability law. He explains the kinds of cases that inflame his passions, how to succeed in premises liability law, and, of course, the importance of 7-inch stairs! Neff also briefly discusses his case against Snapchat, a cutting edge case he’s been working on outside of the premises liability realm.
Tune in for an in-depth discussion on premises liability law, insights on case selection, and how attorneys like Michael Neff work to secure sizable verdicts for clients with life-changing damages, ensuring the rules are followed.
Featured Guest
Name: Michael Neff
About: Michael is a trial lawyer with approximately 30 years of experience, who practices premises liability law, including ‘trip and fall’, ‘slip and fall’, negligent security, and much more. He is the founding partner of the Atlanta-based firm, Neff Injury Law, which has won over $100 million in jury verdicts for its clients. Outside of the courtroom, Michael is the author of Premises Liability: A Guide to Success and founder of the National Association of Premises Liability Attorneys (NAPLA).
Company: Neff Injury Law Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[04:13] Defining premises cases: While slips and falls and trips and falls are the most basic of premises cases, premises liability also includes negligent security cases, water scald cases, Legionnaires cases, nursing home cases, and sexual assault cases.
[07:05] Winning premises liability cases: While Neff notes that trip and fall cases are generally easier cases to win, there are a number of questions that a premises liability attorney must have answered, including the condition of the property, whether there was a hazard, and whether it could have been mitigated or eliminated. At the end of the day, though, it’s all about ensuring folks are following the rules.
[09:38] Understanding the rules, including the building code: Neff explains the value of utilizing experts–including structural engineers, retired police officers, and others–to better understand and explain this practice area.
[12:20] Developing the theme of a case: In each case, there are always two sides of a story, but Neff explains that juries are simply not going to sympathize with a litigant who is making a lot of money and putting people in jeopardy.
[13:57] “Written in blood”: Neff recalls that an expert once told him that “the building code is written in blood.” Each of the rules that we are asking companies and individuals to follow was written as a result of someone having been killed or seriously injured, in order to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
[15:32] Winning negligent security cases: Neff illustrates how the issues of foreseeability and preventability of an accident are key in negligent security cases, where juries might tend to want to assess total blame to the criminal who committed the offense, when the company could have taken steps to mitigate or eliminate the risk.
[17:26] Screening cases: While economic viability for both the attorney and the client is important, ultimately, Neff only selects cases that he feels passionate about. His clients’ lives have been irrevocably changed by the circumstances of the case, so he feels a great sense of responsibility to ensure their wellbeing.
[23:19] Securing large damages for clients: Neff asks, who holds the power of preventing these damages from occurring–an individual or a corporation? Because corporations bear that responsibility, his job is to delineate the steps they could have taken and the ordinary care they should have used to prevent this injury and to keep it from happening again.
[26:31] Excelling in premises liability law: In order to succeed in this practice area, Neff recommends investing in yourself, which may include joining organizations like his, the National Association of Premises Liability Attorneys (NAPLA).
[30:42] Suing Snapchat: Neff discusses a case he’s been litigating outside the premises liability realm in which a plaintiff is suing Snapchat over its speed filter, after being involved in a serious car wreck in which the other driver was using the app.
[38:21] Suing rideshare companies: Neff has also been litigating cases in which drivers for rideshare companies sexually assault their passengers. He explains that some of the challenges in these kinds of cases stem from the technological overlay and the fact that rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors, not employees.
[42:54] NAPLA Updates: Neff shares that NAPLA just finished its first meeting in Chicago, which featured nineteen speakers over three days. Learn more about NAPLA at www.premisesliability.org
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.
In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.
Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.
-
117 – Isabella Santellan – How to Build a Referral-Based Practice
When it comes to personal injury law, the client-firm relationship can be fairly transactional. Most clients aren’t talking about their personal injury cases with their network, and lawyers hope that their clients don’t get injured again and become repeat customers.
But when you have mostly transactional, single-case relationships with clients, how can you gain more business? If your personal injury clients aren’t telling their network about you, who will?
One of the most rewarding methods for gaining more business is referral marketing. Creating longstanding attorney referral relationships gives you a pipeline for more cases, helps you build a reputation, and keeps your firm top of mind in the industry. However, in order to succeed with referral-based marketing, you have to cultivate your relationships and think about what the other person wants.
According to Michael Cowen and the team at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, you have to give back in order to grow your referral-based business. Take referring attorneys out to lunch or to an event that they would enjoy. Or, give them a gift that’s personalized (and doesn’t have your firm’s name or logo on it). However you decide to show gratitude to your referral partners, it’s important that you create a system to follow up, check in every now and then, and continue nurturing that relationship.
Above all, Michael says that it’s important to create a culture of sharing and respect and keep your promises with referring attorneys. You don’t have to take every case that comes your way, and you can’t guarantee the outcome of a case. You can, however, promise to work hard, keep clients informed, and honor the deal you made.
In episode 117, Isabella Santellan, the Marketing Assistant at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, asks Michael Cowen all of the essential questions about building a referral-based business and tending to referral relationships. Listen to this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation to hear Michael’s advice on building a referral network and nurturing relationships, turning down referral cases, and simplifying the referral process for your firm.
Featured Guest
Name: Isabella Santellan
About: Isabella Santellan is the Marketing Assistant at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock. She was born and raised in San Antonio, TX and recently received her B.B.A in Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio. As the Marketing Assistant, Isabella runs the firm’s social media, helps plan events, and works to ensure they provide an unforgettable experience to everyone they work with. In her free time, Isabella enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with her family.
Company: Cowen Rodriguez Peacock
Connect: LinkedIn
Key Points
Top takeaways from this episode
- Start with the people you already know (and don’t be too picky about cases). It’s difficult to come out of law school and have the reputation and network needed to create a referral-based business. Michael Cowen suggests you get your foot in the door by being hungry, humble, and persistent. Take cases from those who are already in your network and expand your business from there.
- Give your referring attorneys what they want. It’s important to stay top of mind when you’re building a referral-based business. How do you do this? Michael says you need to give back to your referral partners. Take your referring attorneys to lunch or to an event that they might enjoy. You could also give them a call, send a handwritten thank you note, or give them a gift (without your firm’s name or logo on it). However you show gratitude, you have to do so with the other person in mind.
- Nurture your existing referrals. When trying to build a referral-based business, many firms make the mistake of moving on to new referrals without nurturing existing partnerships. But the key is to create longstanding relationships with attorney referrals. It’s much harder to convince someone new to send you the first case, and it’s more fruitful to put effort into the connections that are already sending business your way.
Episode Highlights
[02:40] The foundation of great attorney referral relationships: The key to establishing great referral relationships is nurturing your connections, setting expectations upfront, and making sure you stay top of mind.
[06:05] The three things a referring lawyer or co-counsel wants: Every referring lawyer or co-counsel wants as much money as possible, as quickly as possible, without client complaints. Michael Cowen breaks down the details of how to achieve this.
[07:27] How to keep a referring lawyer’s attention: Michael shares Cowen Rodriguez Peacock’s strategies for keeping a referring lawyer’s attention and making sure they choose you over competitors.
[09:07] Turning down a referral’s case: The number one step to respectfully turn down a referral’s case is to do it swiftly. It’s hard to say no, but it’s better than accepting a case that you’ll later regret. Michael also suggests directing a case to a different firm and offering a possible solution.
[12:00] What you can and can’t guarantee to a referring lawyer: You can’t guarantee the outcome of a case, but you can promise that you’ll work hard and keep the team informed about the details of a case.
[13:13] How a new attorney can build their referral network: Start with people you already know. From there, you can build out your network and run your business on referrals. Especially when starting out, you have to get your foot in the door — you can’t be too picky about cases until you build your reputation.
[18:30] Michael’s experience with referrals: Michael shares his advice for working with referring lawyers and developing your referral process. He also talks about the big mistakes he made early in his career and how you can avoid those same mistakes.
[25:32] Simplifying the referral process: The key to simplifying the process for referring attorneys is to remove the bottlenecks. If you’re busy, put them in contact with someone else on your team who can give them the time and attention they need. For Michael, getting clear on criteria for automatic ‘yeses’ and ‘nos’ can help simplify the process as well.
[26:51] Other methods to gain referrals: Michael explains how his seminar, Big Rig Boot Camp, and his podcast create a referral funnel and generate more business.
[30:43] What to do after you win the referral: It can be tempting to constantly look for new referrals, but Michael advises you to spend more time and effort on your existing referral relationships.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.
Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.
-
129 – Peter Anderson – Powerful Persuasion: Unveiling Peter Anderson’s Trial Strategies and Energy Secrets
On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen is joined by Peter Anderson, a former insurance claims manager, renowned trial lawyer, and founder of the Law Offices of Peter M. Anderson.
They discuss Peter’s innovative use of simple props and analogies to convey complex medical information to juries, the importance of being calm and prepared in trials, and the challenges of selecting arguments. They also delve into the significance of empathy and respect in depositions, Peter’s approach to calculating damages, and the value of self-care in maintaining a successful legal career. Peter shares insights from notable cases he has worked on, emphasizing the importance of knowing oneself and mastering the art of oration, as well as understanding insurance companies’ tracking methods in settlement negotiations.
Featured Guest
Name: Peter Anderson
About: Peter M. Anderson “PMA” is a former insurance claims manager, national trial tactics lecturer, and expert dirt bike racer. He has tried jury trials every year for two decades, and during this time he’s won over 96% of his jury trials. Attorney Anderson has received money in 16 straight jury trials, and in the past two years he has tried five 18-wheeler semi-truck jury trials. Colorado-based attorney Anderson co-counsels large semi-truck cases, and this year, in 2023 alone, he’s received over $12M in jury verdicts, and with his truck crash settlements this year has exceeded $40 million.
Company: www.coloradopersonalinjury.com
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[07:42] Effective communication with props and analogies: Peter uses props and analogies to explain things like nerves carrying pain or illustrating the weight of the human head, to help jurors understand complex concepts.
[13:56] The importance of self-education and personal growth: Peter engages in constant learning through reading trial guides and holding seminars. He also dedicates himself to self-improvement, waking up early to practice voir dire and voice work.
[25:40] Developing an emotional connection with juries: Peter builds credibility, trust, and emotional connections with jurors by sharing vivid scenes and stories that resonate with them.
[28:27] Gathering powerful stories: Peter spends time listening to clients, seeking powerful moments that emotionally resonate. He uses the “20-20-20 rule” to identify critical aspects of the case.
[33:15] Respecting experts and delivering strong closing arguments: Respecting experts, choosing the moral high ground, and delivering compelling closing arguments that connect with jurors’ emotions are all important.
[49:36] Distinction and board certification for trial lawyers: Peter and Michael discuss the possibility of a distinction or board certification for trial lawyers to recognize the specific skills and dedication required in trial work.
[54:18] Uncertainty and change in the legal industry: Peter and Michael express uncertainty about the future of the legal profession. They discuss the rise of trial teams in advertising firms and the potential impact of non-lawyer ownership of law firms.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.
In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.
Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.
-
127 – Lee Hunt – The $66.6 Million Verdict: How Trust and Empathy Shaped the Outcome
When asked how he won a $66.6 million dollar verdict, Lee Hunt attributes much of the victory to the intelligence of the jury — and his ability to forge real, human relationships with his clients.
On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen talks about trial law with the founder of Hunt Law in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The two discuss Lee’s latest big victory, covering everything from his client’s injuries, liability, and the trust he placed in his jury. They also discuss Lee’s background and his passion for trial work.
“I try very hard never to go, at the very least, more than a year without significant trials,” said Lee. “It is absolutely terrifying, trying a case where you know your client’s future life is at stake. It’s terrifying. But as long as you’re in the mode of it and haven’t been that far removed from it, it’s a fear you know how to deal with.”
For Lee, the trial process is personal. Not only does he dedicate time and energy into every case, he also puts the same effort into knowing his clients on a personal level. He believes clients and lawyers should trust one another, and he credits that trust for much of his success over the course of his lengthy career.
Featured Guest
Name: Lee Hunt
About: Lee Hunt is the founder and lead attorney at Hunt Law. He graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Law, where he received the Order of Coif award. For the past 20 years, Lee has proven himself time and again with a winning track of successful jury awards for injury victims.
Almost above anything else, Lee stresses the value of the relationship between attorney and client. He believes that by the end of a case, the client and lawyer should trust each other, know each other, and genuinely care about each other. Lee wants to know his clients on a personal level and not just as another case number.
His reputation precedes him as a compassionate, caring lawyer, who offers his clients more than just top-notch legal council. He vows to stand with his clients every step of the way and won’t give up until he sees their trial through to the end.
Company: Hunt Law
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[02:06] An intro: Lee tells Michael and listeners some background on the big case he won in New Mexico, which involved a movie set, a production company, a moving crane, and a man pressured into making a life-altering decision.
[07:57] Negligence costs money: Lee discusses how the production team ignored warnings from local New Mexicans about the safest way for his client to move a crane up a mountain.
[12:26] Relatability: One of his strategies with the jury was to make the case relatable for any blue collar worker who has been put in tough situations rather than focusing on the case’s specific location on a movie set.
[14:57] The jury: Lee describes the process of selecting the jury pool and the focus groups that were involved.
[17:36] Comparative fault: From the jump, Lee wanted to really own his client’s culpability in the case, which ultimately played out in their favor. His client was found only 19% at fault.
[22:15] Damages: Lee breaks down how he came up with the different damage costs.
[28:16] Trust the process: Whether to give the jury an exact number in payouts or leave it up to them ultimately comes down to each individual case.
[33:26] Personalization: Lee really puts the time and effort into getting to know his clients, as well as their families. He spent time with his client’s family in California leading up to the case and discussed their worries and concerns.
[37:50] Zoom vs IRL: Lee discusses how New Mexico’s COVID protocols impact trials and how witnesses are perceived by the jury via Zoom versus in person.
[46:53] In his nature: Having grown up an athlete and continuing to be an avid runner, Lee attributes some of his trial success to his natural competitiveness and ability to go the distance.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.
In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.
Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.
