Founding Partners

David Casey Sr.

David S. Casey, Sr. graduated from St. Louis University and began to practice law in 1937 in St. Louis. He served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant from 1942 to 1945. After returning from the war, he was admitted to practice law in 1947 and began the firm which today is called Casey, Gerry, Schenk, Francavilla, Blatt & Penfield, bearing his name.

David Casey, Sr. was the founding president of the San Diego Trial Lawyers Association, now Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, and an original founder of the California Trial Lawyers association, now the Consumer Attorneys of California. He was a member of NACA in its earliest years, and a predecessor to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) now AAJ--American Association for Justice.

During his career, he tried over 700 jury trials. He was a diplomat in the American Board of Trial Advocates, of which he was the second president of the San Diego Chapter. He was a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers. In 1975, he became the first plaintiff's lawyer to be elected president of the State Bar of California.

In 1994, the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego honored Mr. Casey by naming its coveted Trial Lawyer of the Year recognition the "David S. Casey, Sr. Trial Lawyer of the Year Award." Now in his memory, this award is given to the lawyer who demonstrates outstanding skill and commitment, qualities which Mr. Casey practiced throughout his career.