Education
Law School: University of San Diego Law School
College: Trinity College/Smith College
Major Cases
In the last year and a half, I have resolved more than $35 million of personal injury cases ranging from aviation, maritime, trucking, product liability and other complex cases. In one case, after seven years of work and a 10-day trial representing a severely injured motorcyclist, I prevailed against the U.S. government with a finding of 100 percent liability where we proved that a negligent Border Patrol officer left the scene of an accident. I represented Former Gov. Gray Davis in the tobacco litigation helping to recover $25 billion for the state of California, as well as represented Honda dealers who were defrauded in improper allocation of vehicles resulting in a recovery of more than $90 million for our clients. Our firm was one of the lead firms in the Exxon Valdez oil spill litigation.
Professional Background
I began my career as a city attorney prosecuting criminal cases and had the opportunity of trying 50 jury trials in my first two years. Our firm, one of the oldest in San Diego, was founded by my father in 1947. Today, we have a firm of 12 lawyers and a staff of 28 individuals dedicated to helping our clients. I serve as the statewide chair for Sen. Feinstein in overseeing the Federal Judicial Selection process in California for federal court judges, U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshalls. I previously chaired the San Diego Judicial Selection Committee for the San Diego Superior Court under Former Gov. Gray Davis.
Professional Affiliations
I serve on the board of governors of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and have been inducted into the International Society of Barristers, as well as the American Board of Trial Advocates. I served as president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now AAJ) in 2003. In that capacity, I played a key role in helping create the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, which aided the victims of the terrorist attack. This became the largest pro bono program in the history of American jurisprudence and it was concluded in 2004 when I finished my presidency of ATLA. I have also served as president of the Consumer Attorneys of California in 1997, as well as president of the Western Trial Lawyers Association and past president of the San Diego Trial Lawyers Association in 1983.
Over my career, I have been honored to receive more than 60 awards from organizations for my activities. In 1997, the Consumers Attorneys of San Diego was kind enough to recognize me with a Perpetual Award, named The David S. Casey, Jr. Consumer Protection Award, which is given out each year. In 2002, I was named Lawyer of the Year by the San Diego County Bar Association, and in 2004 I received the Broderick Award for Civility, Integrity and Professionalism. The American Bar Association, in 2009, awarded me its Pursuit of Justice Award and in 2005 the Association of Trial Lawyers of America recognized me withe Harry Philo Award for contributions to the American civil justice system. I was recognized by Super Lawyers on the cover of its initial publication in 2007 and have been recognized on an ongoing basis by Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, AV and Super Lawyers, as well as Lawdragon.
Personal Background
One of the biggest challenges of being a trial lawyer is to balance one’s personal life. My wife, Lisa, and I are celebrating 27 years of marriage and have raised two children. Our son, David, graduated from the University of Chicago and will be entering Hastings School of Law in the fall. Our daughter, Shannon, graduated from Claremont McKenna and is pursuing employment opportunities in Los Angeles. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to mentor many lawyers who have become outstanding lawyers in our community and I have enjoyed the opportunity to impact in a positive way the lives of the clients I have represented.