TOP40UNDER40 — MEMBER SPOTLIGHT —
JOSEPH R . CASEY
Harding Law Office • Des Moines , Iowa
What was the first job you had ? My first job was in high school , cleaning the showers at a homeless shelter in Phoenix . I had other duties , but that is the one that sticks in my mind . I ’ m not sure there is a job that humbles you more quickly , which is a good thing for a teenager to experience .
What ’ s your proudest moment as a trial lawyer ? My proudest moment occurs any time I sense genuine gratitude from a client . I think most trial lawyers went to law school to help people , and it ’ s rewarding to have a moment when someone confirms that you are making a difference in their life .
I attribute my success to … Mentorship . There ’ s a real mentorship crisis in our profession : many partners become jaded by associate turnover and see millennials as “ job-hoppers ” who aren ’ t worth the time required to nurture an aspiring trial lawyer . I was fortunate enough to have a handful of exceptional trial lawyers mentor me throughout law school and my young practice , and they generously shared their wisdom .
What is your most notable verdict or settlement ? I ’ m very blessed to have been a modest part of some litigation and trial teams that have secured great recoveries , and to learn from veterans of the bar such as Leo Beus , Pat McGroder , Tim Casey , and Marc Harding . I think my favorite memory is a comment that followed a favorable and unanimous 7-figure verdict , after which the client said to me , “ you are the only people who believed in me .”
12 x The Trial Lawyer
What is your fantasy job ? Call it a cliché , but being a rock star who performs to sold-out arenas sounds like a rush .
What is your guilty pleasure ? Indian food and gummy bears . Not together , of course .
What do you like to do in your time off ? When I ’ m not spending time with family , friends , or girlfriend , I enjoy reading and traveling . I also devote time to a blockchain consulting firm that I comanage with a close friend and fellow attorney .
What ’ s your favorite hobby ? I enjoy working on a family genealogy project . I ’ d like to finish putting together a book that will tell my future kids about their ancestors .
What ’ s one word that describes you ? Enterprising . A large part of my practice consists of plaintiff-side economic torts and business dispute litigation , so I recently launched a Commercial Continency practice at my firm . It ’ s a model that has worked well at elite boutiques serving major corporations but needed to be applied to smaller business plaintiffs ( particularly in the Midwest ). When a small or mid-size business ( or its owner ) become victims of another corporation ’ s predatory practices or tortious conduct , the contingent fee arrangement saves the plaintiff from having to choose between the pursuit of justice and the retention of capital . It ’ s an underserved market with lots of opportunity , but it takes a risk-tolerant and experienced team to make it work .
What keeps you awake at night ? Thinking of ways to improve my cases and my performance as an attorney . I try to regularly attend trial-oriented CLEs such as the Lanier Trial Academy , and either observe trials or read the transcripts of notable trial lawyers . There is always something new to learn from the leaders in our profession , whether it is as big as a new cross examination technique or merely a memorable turn of phrase .
What newspaper do you generally read daily ? I ’ ve been a daily reader of The Atlantic since 2015 . Other than that , I try to skim Axios , the New York Times , and the Des Moines Register .
How do you relax ? Watching a good TV show or movie comes second only to a good dinner with close friends .
What ’ s your most embarrassing life moment ? I introduced myself to a colleague and learned that his father is a defense attorney . I said , “ hey , as long as he doesn ’ t defend State Farm .” His father defends State Farm . Oops .