Biography

Rick Pyfer was born in Helena, Montana, in 1952. He attended St. Ann’s Catholic Grade School in East Helena through Grade 8, Helena Catholic Central High School through Grade 11, and upon closure of Helena Catholic Central High School, he was transferred with his classmates to Helena High School, where he graduated in 1970. During his high school years, Rick served as President of his Freshman and Sophomore classes, Governor of Montana Key Clubs, received the state Elks’ leadership award, and played varsity football (quarterback, safety, punt returner), competed in the National Forensics League (earning a Ruby), and played keyboard in a travelling rock band.

Upon graduation from high school, Rick attended Notre Dame University, where he majored in Government and International Studies. At Notre Dame, Rick served on the Hall Presidents’ Council as president of Zahm Hall and was charter president of the Notre Dame Circle K Service Club.  He graduated with honors in his major.

Upon graduation from Notre Dame, Rick worked on a congressional staff in Washington, DC, as well for the VA Cemetery System (designing and drafting National Cemetery brochures). He attended and graduated from Gonzaga University with a Masters of Business Administration in 1976. He received his law school diploma from the University of Montana School of Law in 1979.

After a short term with the Smith Law Firm (Helena) practicing predominantly in the area of school and hospital law with Chad Smith, Rick joined the law firm of Small, Hatch & Doubek in 1981 and was made a partner in 1982. The firm has been renamed several times during his partnership: Small, Hatch, Doubek & Pyfer; Doubek & Pyfer; and currently Doubek, Pyfer & Storror PC.

Rick’s practice areas are helping people injured or killed by negligence.  He has successfully negotiated and resolved over one thousand cases in his 38-year career as a fighter against insurance companies and negligence and personal injury lawyer. Rick takes great pride in his continuous efforts to demand and obtain maxim value of his clients’ cases and, if necessary, developing and presenting them to a jury at trial (if insurers are not reasonable).  He has collected millions of dollars for clients due to his efforts.  He has participated in hundreds of mediations as a mediator and as a client representative, and developed experience and expertise in the strategies necessary to maximize settlement or verdict value.  Over his thirty-eight years in injury practice, he has developed the reputation as a tenacious and fair advocate by insurance representatives and lawyers who make decisions regarding claim resolution.