Attorneys of Idaho
Attorneys J.W. Bond and Ryan Black have built a reputable criminal and personal injury law firm in Boise, Idaho. Formerly known as JW Bond Law and BBN Legal, the two attorneys have combined their unique experiences to create a formidable legal team.
J.W. Bond brings a distinct breadth of experience to the firm, having served as a police officer in Las Vegas before graduating from the respected Boyd Law School at UNLV. His background on both sides of the law gives his clients a unique advantage.
As a law student, Ryan Black worked for the Nez Perce Tribe, and after graduation, he clerked for a District Judge in Payette, Idaho. He went on to work at the Ada County Public Defender’s office, where he earned the nickname “trial cockroach.” He successfully took over 30 cases to trial, winning more than he lost.
The firm really started to grow in 2021 when Ryan joined J.W. They quickly found themselves with more work than they had attorneys to handle. During the pandemic, they addressed this supply issue by working to make their firm a highly desirable place to work. With the support of their regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) office, they developed a clear values statement, mission, and vision. They fostered a strong team environment, implemented creative compensation packages, and differentiated themselves from their competitors. This strategy resulted in securing a strong, thriving legal team.
Their next goal was to expand their criminal defense practice to include a personal injury firm. To meet the competitive demands of their market, they again worked with their SBDC advisor to enhance their marketing and community engagement. The firm’s efforts have led to significant results, including quadrupled revenue, a strong team, a competitive edge in the market, and the ability to continue doing the work they love.
“I went to law school to study law, and they taught me nothing about business,” said Black. “In 2021, I had a friend recommend that I reach out to the SBDC. Ruth Schwartz quickly started challenging me to start thinking like a businessman and not just like a lawyer. She helped me start working on the business instead of just in the business. My employees at work all call her my “business therapist”, and she has more than earned the name. We also got involved in a class at BSU where students helped us build marketing strategies. We implemented a few of those and that led to even more growth. I routinely talk to the SBDC about my successes and struggles, and they have provided consistent support and encouragement as our business has grown over the years. I do not know where Attorneys of Idaho would be without the SBDC, but it surely would not be the business it is today.”
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Get the downloadable success story pdf here
Southwest Idaho SBDC Success Story, 2025
Boise, ID
