David S. Casey Jr.

Casey served on the plaintiffs’ steering committee for the multidistrict litigation that resulted in Volkswagen AG agreeing to pay nearly $15 billion due to its diesel emissions cheating scandal.

The settlement approved last year was the largest civil agreement worldwide involving an automaker accused of misconduct. In re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, 15-md-02672 (N.D. Cal., filed Dec. 8, 2015).

Casey credited U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer, who oversaw the litigation, with ensuring there was cohesiveness and information sharing between parties that facilitated the groundbreaking settlement in a short time frame.

“He set a tone leading to clear cooperation among all attorney generals in the U.S., the U.S. Attorney’s office, the Federal Trade Commission and the plaintiffs’ steering committee,” said Casey, managing partner of CaseyGerry.

Earlier this year, Casey was named to the plaintiffs’ steering committee for the EcoDiesel litigation against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. Similar to the VW claims, the plaintiffs allege Fiat Chrysler installed emissions-cheating devices. In re Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep EcoDiesel Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability, MDL No. 17-MD-02777-EMC (N.D. Cal., filed April 5, 2017).

“A number of us served on the Volkswagen case, and we are taking what we learned in hopes of moving this case quickly,” Casey said.

He is also handling cases involving high-profile athletes, including seeking to hold the tobacco industry accountable for baseball legend Tony Gwynn’s death. Gwynn vs. Altria Group Inc., 2016-00017104 (S.D. Super. Ct., filed May 23, 2016).

CaseyGerry, which Casey’s father founded, celebrated its 70th anniversary earlier this year.

“Being able to excel as a trial lawyer is one thing, but being able to maintain the continuity, depth and strength of a firm is something I’m very proud of,” Casey said.

— Lyle Moran