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Ryan Russman
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Ryan Russman
Russman Law Offices
155 Fleet Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: (603) 373-1664 | Fax: (603) 772-5895
http://www.nh-injury-attorney.com
You deserve full compensation for your pain & suffering
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Personal injury cases including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, brain injuries, asbestos and dog bites.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Slip & Fall
- Sports Injuries
- Petrochemical Accidents
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Assault & Battery
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Police Misconduct
- Sexual Assault
- Anesthesia Malpractice
- Birth Injuries and Defects
- Dental Malpractice
- Emergency Room Errors
- Medication Malpractice
- Optometry Malpractice
- Surgical Errors
- Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Asbestos Mesothelioma
- Birth Injury
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Bar Admissions
NH,
Bar Number: 14238
Other Court Admissions
New Hampshire (1999)
U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit (1999)
U.S. District Court District of New Hampshire (1999)
Association Memberships
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, and New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Continuing Education
My continuing education consists of numerous Personal Injury courses to further develop my legal skills for the benefit of my clients. Courses such as Expert or Opinion Testimony and Scientific Evidence, Overview of Mental Health System in New Hampshire, Insurance Law and Estimating Crash Severity (among many others) help me to stay current with new laws which may impact my clients.
Additionally, I am an instructor for various courses, including the Field Sobriety Test. Both teaching and attending these ongoing, continued education courses are a vital part of my responsibilities are your attorney.
Papers and Publications
Articles are available both on my website and my blog. I make it a point to address timely issues as well as broad topics which are often times confusing or misunderstood.
Example Cases
Facts of the Case: Joe McGillis* came to Russman Law Offices following an automobile collision. The incident occurred while he was driving home from work in his 2005 Toyota Corolla, southbound on Interstate 95. It was a clear day, the roads were dry and traffic was flowing at 60 miles per hour.
As Mr. McGillis drove safely in the left passing lane, another driver in a 2006 Ford Excursion abruptly struck his vehicle from behind. The impact spun his car out of control into the grassy median, causing it to flip on its side, rolling several times before coming to stop. Mr. McGillis was unable to move, and waited for the paramedics' arrival to remove him from his overturned vehicle.
This collision totaled Mr. McGillis' car and he suffered numerous injuries, including several broken ribs, a broken collarbone and lacerations to his face and arms. Mr. McGillis' recovery process involved four months of rehabilitation. The injuries he sustained prohibited him from performing his work duties as a technician. This forced absence permitted Mr. McGillis to return to work under the Family Medical Leave Act, but his wages were lost for the entire duration of his four-month rehabilitation.
Case Outcome: Russman Law Offices was able to settle out of court, but only after a lawsuit was filed against the negligent driver who struck Mr. McGillis from behind. The settlement was substantial, covering Mr. McGillis' vehicle loss, medical bills, loss of wages, and more.
Facts of the Case: Suzanna Cartwright* was shopping with her husband at their local grocery store last winter. As they exited, Mrs. Cartwright slipped and fell on an untreated surface. The cold, moist winter temperature made this untreated surface worse--a very dangerous hazard that should have been taken care of by the property owners.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Cartwright sustained serious injuries. The fall not only twisted her ankle, but Mrs. Cartwright's wrist snapped as she tried to brace for the impact of the fall. Emergency personnel arrived immediately to assess the situation and provide her with medical treatment on the way to the hospital.
As an executive administrative assistant, Mrs. Cartwright's productivity was initially negligible during the course of her rehabilitation. Fearful of losing her position, she continued to use her wrist, slowing the recovery process. The undue stress and pain caused by her injury resulted in a second and third surgery to reset the bone. Following these surgeries, under doctor's orders, Mrs. Cartwright was forced on medical leave for two months without salary.
Case Outcome: With numerous medical bills mounting and foregone income, Mrs. Cartwright and her husband hired me. At the threat of litigation, the defendant subsequently settled before trial, but not before the lawsuit was filed for negligence. The settlement compensated for all medical expenses, lost wages and undue hardship.
*Names have been changed for the privacy of my clients.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Suffolk University Law School
City:
Boston
State:
MA
Year:
1999
Focus and Accomplishments:
ABA National Trial Competition Regional Semi-Finalist (1999) and Third Year Moot Court Trial Competition Semifinalist.
Degree:
B.A.
School:
American University
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Year:
1996
Honors:
Cum Laude.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Political Science.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
New Hampshire
Firm Focus and History
Among Portsmouth personal injury lawyers, I provide superior counsel for all New Hampshire personal injuries, including car crashes, motorcycle accidents, slips and falls, and more.
Russman Law Offices was established in 1972, and since then, has successfully represented thousands of clients in varied New Hampshire personal injury litigation cases.
Previous Employment Summary
I have been practicing law with Russman Law Offices for more than ten years. Prior to completing my law degree, I gained experience in criminal defense both at the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office and the New Hampshire Public Defender's Office in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Education is key. I make it a point to write articles and post these on my blog and other various legal and social media websites. A little bit of knowledge can go a long way to protect you from unnecessary damage. Often times it's the little things that can help avoid making a situation worse.
The law can be complicated, so I encourage clients to read and ask questions. Of course, this depends on the client's individual personality. Some of my clients like to be extremely involved in the process and ask questions while others just want the expert to handle the situation with little personal involvement in the details. It's the individual's own preference that guides the education process, but it never hurts to be aware of the laws. This can save a lot of time, money and stress for you in the long run.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I'm always happy to review any documents provided by clients. However, I will not issue legal opinions to any individual unless I have been retained by that client.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do not provide coaching or counsel for an individual seeking to represent him or herself.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Protection and fair legal representation were the primary causes for pursuing a career as an attorney. There are many individuals who are unjustly prosecuted and/or treated unjustly by the government. Fair representation should be afforded to all individuals, and it's my goal to provide this service to the residents on New Hampshire.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I was born in and grew up in the state of New Hampshire. I have connections with many residents and understand uniquely the issues and laws as pertain to citizens of the state. This lifelong experience affords me a unique understanding and viewpoint that many other attorneys do not have. Just as any Safari adventurer hires knowledgeable natives for insurance against being eaten, my New Hampshire native status offers this same assurance.
My internships with both the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office and the New Hampshire Public Defender's Office have also provided a lot of familiarity with inner workings of how the state prosecutes cases. Those experiences allow me to look at each case from the prosecution's perspective, a viewpoint that other attorneys may not have or may not be able to bring to table. I also make a point to gain technical experience through ongoing education -- just another way to build my understanding of how different processes throughout the legal system.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
My reasons for becoming an attorney tie directly into my decisions to practice personal injury. My goal is to offer protection of people from not only the government and legal system, but to make sure they are not taken advantage of by insurance companies or other corporations. Citizens are not always equipped to protect themselves, and it's the role of a trained attorney to ensure each citizen is getting a fair and just trial.
What do you like best about your career?
I truly enjoy helping my clients. Everyone who comes to me has been through an extremely stressful ordeal, and it's my role to sort through the individual facts of each case and insure my clients are protected from unjust consequences. The joy of helping clients every day is extremely worthwhile.
Tell us about your law firm:
My staff is comprised of three differerent generations of paralegals. The oldest generation has been on the job for 75 years, the second for 30 years and the youngest for 5 years. All three have their paralegal qualifications and offer incredible service and knowledge to our clients.
What are your strengths and style?
I tend to lead with honey in every negotiation because you catch more flies with this approach. If I'm not able to have success with this gentle approach, I am prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to win the case. I am vigorous with every case, and my clients' interests are always at the heart of every matter.
Personal Interests:
I am a volunteer firefighter who enjoys salt water fly fishing, traveling and spending time with my family. I am a self-proclaimed dessert connoisseur whose heart is warmed with a fine bottle of wine and homemade chocolate cookies.
Office Manager/Assistant
Amy.
Fax
(603) 772-5895
Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Additional Offices
Exeter, NH
14 Center Street
Exeter, NH 03833
(603) 772-3433
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I have both fixed-price and hourly fees. Most criminal cases are retained on a flat fee basis ranging from $1,500 up to $50,000. The price depends on nature of case.
Hourly Rates
My hourly rate varies per individual case. Please schedule a complimentary consultation for more details.
Free Initial Consultation?
I do offer a free, hour-long consultation for prospective clients.
Typical Retainer
I do not have a typical retainer. My fees vary according to the type and nature of each individual case.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
