Native La Jollan David Casey Jr., a senior partner with the San Diego law offices of Casey Gerry Reed & Schenk, was honored with the author E. Hughes Career Achievement award at a May 3 black-tie student scholarship fund-raiser at the University of San Diego.

According to Jack Kelly, USD's director of alumni relations, the award, named after former USD school President Author E. Hughes, pays tribute to five USD alumni who have attained outstanding success in their respective fields.

Awards are presented annually based on nominations and selections by faculty and alumni in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business Administration, Education Law and Nursing.

The president-elect of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Casey was honored for his role in organizing a moratorium on civil lawsuits related to the events of Sept. 11 and helped develop a Victims' Fund, ensuring victims' families receive financial relief without expensive and lengthy litigation. The fund was passed into law by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Casey has spent more than 25 years practicing law. Specializing in serious personal injury, wrongful death and business and consumer fraud cases, he has long been recognized as a top lawyer in his field, and has obtained successful verdicts and settlements for dozens of high-profile cases.

A third-generation attorney, he has also garnered a number of professional accolades such as the San Diego County Bar Association's "Legal Professional of the Year" award. He's received more than 40 accolades from various trial bar associations.

In 1974, he joined what is now Casey Gerry Reed & Schenk, a law firm his father founded 50 years ago.

Established in 1947, Casey Gerry Reed & Schenk is the oldest plaintiffs' law firm in San Diego, The firm's 13 attorneys practice in personal injury, business torts, medical malpractice, asbestos litigation, maritime law, class action and products liability.