Casey G. Watkins defends clients in complex litigation, including class actions, toxic tort litigation, and product liability claims. As an associate in Ballard’s Product Liability and Mass Tort Group, he frequently litigates on behalf of clients in the automotive, consumer products, and energy sectors. He also provides significant value to clients through his counseling work designed to avoid unnecessary litigation and enable businesses best to serve their customers. That counseling includes the development of ANSI- and ISO-compliant warning labels, comprehensive evaluations of existing written warranty materials, drafting waiver agreements, and conducting litigation awareness training for client personnel.
Casey is a pragmatic, detail-oriented advocate and is dedicated to delivering for his clients. Prior to attending law school, he gained technical experience drafting specifications and drawings in the engineering industry. He also has experience as a certified automotive parts professional with significant knowledge of a wide range of vehicle component systems.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Advised a major research university on regulatory compliance, risk management, and warning labels for the emergent production of personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to the national COVID-19 emergency.
- Obtained complete dismissal on the pleadings of nationwide class action brought against domestic automotive distributor alleging engine design defects, breach of express and implied warranties, and violation of consumer fraud statutes.
- Defending rallycross constructor in high profile action against contract and business tort claims asserted by the series promoter following dissolution of series.
Professional Highlights
Judicial Clerkships
Judicial clerk, Hon. Jaynee LaVecchia, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of New Jersey, 2013-2014
Judicial Internships
Judicial intern, Hon. Patty Shwartz, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, 2012
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
New Jersey State Bar Association, Product Liability and Mass Tort Section
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Legal 500 US, Product liability, mass tort and class action – automotive/transport - defense, 2019-2020
Selected to Super Lawyers New Jersey Rising Stars list, 2018-2020
Ballard Spahr Pro Bono Award, 2016
Board Memberships & Community Service
Casey has served several times as a mock trial judge for first-year law student oral arguments at Rutgers School of Law-Newark. In addition, Casey is an automotive enthusiast, a member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and regularly participates in regional autocross.
Publications
Note Author, "Wireless Liability: Liability Concerns for Operators of Unsecured Wireless Networks," 65 Rutgers L. Rev. 635, 2013
"Whaling in the Antarctic: Case Analysis and Suggestions for the Future," 25 N.Y. Int'l L. Rev. 49, 2012
Credentials
Education
Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey School of Law-Newark (J.D. 2013, cum laude)
Commentaries Editor, Rutgers Law Review
Legal Research and Writing Teaching Associate
Recipient, Aaron Lasser and Honorable Lawrence L. Lasser Scholarship and Gayton A. Rotunda Scholarship
Participant, Eric R. Neisser Pro Bono Service Program
Winner of the 2012 Albert S. Pergam International Law Writing Competition Award
University of Idaho (B.S. 2008)
Recipient, Robert R. Lee Promise Scholarship and Idaho Academic Scholarship
Admissions
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit