Firm History

Est. 1947

As the oldest plaintiff's law firm in San Diego, Casey Gerry has earned a national reputation for its expertise in civil litigation and personal injury cases.
Casey Gerry firm members have won numerous industry awards, including Outstanding Trial Lawyer and San Diego Trial Lawyer of the Year. Casey Gerry is very honored that in 1994 its founding member, David S. Casey, Sr., who was known for trying over 700 jury trials, was honored by the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego which named their prestigious and highly coveted Trial Lawyer of the Year Award in his honor. Each year the David S. Casey, Sr. Trial Lawyer Award is given out to recognize the trial lawyer who exemplifies the highest ethics and skills while obtaining one of the best trial results in San Diego. Casey Gerry has also been tremendously honored to have its senior partner, David S. Casey, Jr., recognized by having the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego name their annual Consumer Advocate Award in his name. Each year, the lawyer who does the most to help advance consumer causes, either locally or nationally, is recognized with the David S. Casey, Jr. Consumer Advocate Award. Past recipients include former Senator and vice presidential nominee John Edwards. Additionally, members of Casey Gerry have served as president of the California State Bar Association (David S. Casey, Sr.), past president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now AAJ--American Association for Justice) in 1980 (Richard F. Gerry), past president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now AAJ--American Association for Justice), past president of the Consumer Attorneys of California, past president of the Western Trial Lawyers Association, and past president of the San Diego Trial Lawyers Association (David S. Casey, Jr.), President of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego and the Civil Justice Foundation (Frederick Schenk), and President of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (Robert J. Francavilla). For nearly 60 years, Casey Gerry has been dedicated to protecting the rights of people and families who are injured or who lost loved ones. As plaintiff's trial lawyers, we have taken a leadership role throughout California and in the United States in acting effectively to keep the courtrooms open for the protection of all citizens. We are also a member of the American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA---Association of Trial Lawyers of America). As the world's largest trial bar association, AAJ promotes justice and fairness for injured persons, safeguards victims' rights--particularly the right to trial by jury--and strengthens the civil justice system through education and disclosure of information critical to public health and safety. Additionally, several of our firm's partners have been elected to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates. Members of the firm have been recognized in the publication "The Best Lawyers in America" ever since the founding of that publication. In the 2006 edition of "The Best Lawyers of America" Frederick Schenk and David Casey, Jr. were both recognized. David Casey, Jr. was recognized in the last three years by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California. During the last 20 years, on the three occasions in which San Diego Magazine featured issues on law firms in San Diego, members of Casey Gerry were recognized as amongst the best lawyers in personal injury, asbestos, and products liability. Also in 2005, Frederick Schenk was selected as one of the Top Lawyers in San Diego by "The San Diego Daily Transcript," San Diego's leading daily legal and business newspaper. Additionally, Casey Gerry is listed as an AV rated law firm by Martindale-Hubbell. Among the types of cases the firm has handled are slip and fall , automobile injuries, cancer and Mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure, medical malpractice, economic losses to small and medium sized businesses, emotional injury, exposure to toxic and hazardous chemicals, fraud, psychological injuries, trade libel, battery, brain injuries, false arrest, failure of insurance companies to pay claims, motorcycle injuries, unfair business practices, defective baby formula, dog bite cases, bicycle injuries, construction defects, injuries suffered during births, injuries caused by falling down stairs, on walkways, by faulty golf carts, contractor liability, fishermen injuries, railroad injuries, SUV rollover accidents, trucking accidents,and many other areas. Casey Gerry has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for both San Diego citizens and visitors to San Diego and surrounding areas of Southern California (Calexico, El Centro, Cathedral City, Coachella, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Lake Elsinore, March Air Force Base (AFB), Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, and Temecula). We were an instrumental part of the trial team that obtained the $5 billion judgment arising out of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Alaska. Casey Gerry also played a lead role in representing former Governor Gray Davis in the recovery of over $25 billion for the State of California against the Tobacco Industry. Our San Diego attorneys have outstanding credentials and have repeatedly demonstrated a high level of skills. Firm members include: David Casey, Jr., T. Michael Reed (ret.), Frederick Schenk, Robert Francavilla, Gayle Blatt, Thomas Penfield, Thomas Luneau, Jeremy Robinson, Scott C. Cummins, Mitchel J.Olson, and Wendy Behan. For nearly 60 years, our attorneys have provided injured plaintiffs with care and commitment. We are looking forward to the next 60 years as we continue to help our clients receive fair and just compensation.