Casey G. Watkins

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.

Judicial Clerkship

Judicial clerk, Hon. Jaynee LaVecchia, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of New Jersey, 2013-2014

Judicial Internship

Judicial intern, Hon. Patty Shwartz, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, 2012

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.
• Secured favorable settlement on behalf of consumer electronics marketing and distribution company in contract dispute arising from business-to-business sale of electronics and concerning alleged breach of contract, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, and business torts including fraud and unfair competition.
• Prepared release and waiver agreement for automotive ‘one take’ review video series.
• Developed appropriate ANSI- and ISO-compliant warning labels and collateral material statements for various product manufactures.
• Oversaw complex discovery and managed document review and production in significant commercial litigation for major materials science and specialty products company.
• Drafted terms and conditions, warranty language, and owner’s manuals for various automotive and manufacturing clients to reduce risk and potential liability.
• Advised automakers and vehicle equipment manufactures on compliance with NHTSA regulations concerning voluntary recalls arising from safety-related defects and federal motor vehicle safety standard noncompliances.
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of Fortune 100 petroleum refining company in complex product liability and toxic tort case.

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

Selected to Super Lawyers New Jersey Rising Stars list, 2018-2020

Ballard Spahr Pro Bono Award, 2016

Publications

Co-author, "Class Representative’s Claims Tossed on Spoliation for Pre-suit Product Repair Alterations," Ballard Spahr alert, April 28, 2020

Co-author, "American ‘Pipe Dream’ – CA Court of Appeal Scrutinizes Limitations Period Tolling Arguments," Ballard Spahr alert, March 25, 2020

Co-author, "DOT's AV Guidance "3.0" Advances Infrastructure Communications and Commercial Vehicle Criteria," Ballard Spahr alert, October 8, 2018

Co-author, "Ignition MDL Flips Switch on Longstanding Manifestation Requirement," Ballard Spahr alert, September 14, 2018

Co-author, "Class Counsel Say 'Rats!' to California Court's Rejection of Design-Based Warranty Claims," Ballard Spahr Alert, June 15, 2018

Co-author, "Trump Administration Issues New Guidance for Automated Driving Systems," Ballard Spahr alert, September 13, 2017

Co-author, "Daimler Here to Stay: SCOTUS Overturns California Court’s Exercise of Jurisdiction Over Out-of-State Plaintiffs," Ballard Spahr alert, June 20, 2017  

Co-author, "NHTSA Issues Guidance for Manufacturers of Highly Automated Vehicles," Ballard Spahr alert, September 21, 2016

Co-author, "First Fatality Signals Bumpy Road to Autonomous Vehicle Development," Ballard Spahr alert, July 5, 2016

Co-author, "Prompted by Independent Study, EPA Issues Notice of Violation to Volkswagen for Circumventing Federal Emissions Standards," Ballard Spahr alert, September 22, 2015

Co-author, "Third Circuit Clarifies Article III Standing for Absent Class Members, Impact of Comcast," Ballard Spahr alert, July 24, 2015

Co-author, "California Federal Court Decertifies Second Damages Class in as Many Months," Ballard Spahr alert, December 18, 2014

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

Community Activities

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.

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

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