Reagan Sahadi is an energetic and hard-working attorney representing clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases in Texas and across the country. Reagan Sahadi grew up in South Texas and comes from an entrepreneurial family.
He received his business degree from St. Louis. St. Louis County. Edward University in Austin, Texas, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2001. He then attended the University of Houston School of Law, graduating in 2005. Reagan returned home to Corpus Christi, Texas, and began law school.
Reagan Sahadi won millions of dollars in litigation and settlements on behalf of his clients, including a $124 million lawsuit against an independent bus company in El Paso, Texas. Reagan married Dr. Mary Margaret Ara, M.D.; and they have three beautiful children. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing sports, working on the farm and fishing.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Reagan Sahad to learn more about her journey and how she successfully built a personal injury law firm.
How did you get started?
I started litigation with a law firm that represented corporations and individual defendants but was backed by large insurance companies. But it wasn’t my personality. I had no idea if you wanted to be a lawyer.
One Friday afternoon, my dentist uncle was golfing in Houston, Texas. He hits the golf ball and walks back to his car, when suddenly the ground collapses into a giant hole. To survive in the ditch, he removed his left arm and right hand to keep him from falling. This tore the muscles in his arm and hand, preventing him from forming teeth. He tried unsuccessfully to settle the matter with the golf course’s insurance company. He asks if I can help him.
This is my first personal injury plaintiff case. Then I found my calling. I worked hard towards the problem golf course side and discovered a drainage pipe coming out of the underground from where the hole started. I mentioned that the golf course has real knowledge about the beginning of the hole.
After more than eight months of persistence and effort, the golf course and its insurance company settled the claim. My uncle was excited and I know he was referred to a personal injury law firm. I worked in defense insurance and moved into high-powered litigation.
What inspired you to start this business?
I worked in a very successful litigation practice in Corpus Christi, Texas. The workforce is young, energetic, competitive and successful. I want to do what they do, but only.
I felt inspired to help the little man and dream big.
How do you make money?
My firm handles 100% contingency fee for catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death. In other words, we agree to take a percentage of what the client ends up in dispute.
But if the client doesn’t make anything, we don’t make any money either. As the customer improves, we improve. It is a cooperative social movement. The contingent fee model is also a great equalizer. This allows experienced attorneys to represent individuals without attorney fees or hourly fees. The attorney is paid only after the case is reviewed and properly completed and the client agrees and is satisfied with the settlement.
How long did it take to be profitable?
Since personal injury lawsuits usually take about a year to prepare and reach a resolution in court, it takes about a year to get the money. Thank God for banks.
When you first started, did you doubt it would work? If so, how have you used it?
There is some hesitation in starting a business. The main thing is to always be positive and hopeful. If you have a positive attitude and work hard, things can work out.
How did you get your first client?
About a month after we opened, I got a call from a woman whose husband was riding his motorcycle home on Highway 185 near Bloomington, Texas. A company truck pulled into a side street at a nearby factory and attempted to merge onto Highway 185, but the truck would not yield to the motorcycle. A motorcyclist hit the bed of a truck, sending it plummeting 60 feet. He was seriously injured and his leg was later amputated.
I worked on it diligently and turned down repeated company requests to make repairs. I want justice for my client. The case was settled pending trial. The customers were very satisfied. Although my client lost his leg, he and his wife retired.
To this day, we are very close.
What’s the best decision you’ve made in the past few months?
Settle the case or go to jury selection. The client was tired and ready to go home. Even though I didn’t want to deal with it, I listened to the customer. What the lawyer wants to do should always be in the best interests of the client.
What is most important to you?
I work better under pressure. Fear is what makes me think. Coming in second or losing makes me think.
What has been your happiest moment in business?
Getting the right deal on behalf of your customers and satisfying them with a smile is the ultimate satisfaction.
I get cards and letters from clients, frame them and put them on the big wall in the conference room. If I have an emergency, I often read these cards and letters to remind them of their purpose and what we are trying to achieve for all of our customers. And I love running a company and hiring people who are as dedicated as I am.
What’s next for your business?
The business of personal injury and wrongful death is changing. Tort reform and other laws encourage individuals to appear in court. The Texas Legislature recently passed House Bill 19, which limits truck driver negligence victims’ rights. Texas is number one in trucking accidents. I can only hope that such legislation doesn’t lead to even more caution on Texas roads.
