Over the summer, we had a little fun getting to know Partner Matt Casey. Now it’s time to learn more about the other half of Casey & Devoti, Partner Matt Devoti.
Matt currently resides in the south St. Louis City neighborhood of St. Louis Hills with his wife Lauren, their daughter Lillian (1) and his three kids: Joseph (18), Sophia (16) and Nicholas (13).
Q: You grew up in St. Louis, so let’s start with the standard St. Louis question…where did you go to high school?
A: Lafayette High School in west St. Louis County.
Q: Did you play any sports in high school?
A: No, though I did played club baseball.
Q: Play any instruments?
A: Ha! Yes, the trombone.
Q: What were your interests/hobbies in high school?
A: Working my tail-end off.
Q: Where did you go to college and why did you choose it?
A: Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. I loved the feel of a small school and the opportunity offered by a liberal arts education, as I had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up. Ironically, Westminster was smaller than my graduating class at Lafayette.
Q: Did you play any sports in college?
A: Yes, baseball.
Q: What were your interests/hobbies or any club affiliations in college?
A: Baseball and the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
Q: What brought you back to St. Louis?
A: Law school
Q: What was your first job after college?
A: I worked at National Paper Company while I was in college doing odd jobs – everything from cutting, boxing and packing paper to painting warehouse space. I also worked in the payroll department at Blue Cross Blue Shield, while I was in law school.
Q: What compelled you to want to go to law school?
A: I was at a crossroads late in college; I was majoring in History and Political Science and had worked on a teaching certificate. After I student-taught during my Junior year, I realized that I wasn’t cut out for the rigors of teaching. A friend brought me to the federal courthouse in Oklahoma City and introduced me to Judge Wayne Alley, a federal district court judge who briefly presided over the prosecution of Timothy McVey. I was immediately captivated by the opportunities offered by the trial practice.
Q: What was your first job out of law school?
A: Associate lawyer at Casey & Meyerkord.
Q: What drew you to the personal injury specialty?
A: My first job as a law clerk for Tom Casey.
Q: How did you end up working for Casey & Devoti?
A: Tom Casey and my dad, Joe Devoti, went to CBC High School together in the 1960s, sitting next to each other in homeroom. I think Tom offered me that first job out of friendship with my dad.
Q: If you didn’t specialize in personal injury law – what other specialty would you pursue?
A: I originally wanted to be a probate lawyer and help people with their estate planning.
Q: Your law partner, Matt Casey, is a 2-term council member for the City of Richmond Heights – do you have any desire to hold a political office?
A: I did at one point. I’ve knocked on doors for both Republicans and Democrats and served as treasurer for my local alderwoman during two elections. Right now, I’m focusing on serving the City of St. Louis as a Circuit Judge.
Q: You currently sit on the board of directors for (2) nonprofit organizations – St. Martha’s Hall (as a board member) and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Gateway Chapter (as board president). How did you initially get involved with these organizations?
A: Jessica Woolbright, the mom of one of Nick’s friends, nominated me for a leadership position with St. Martha’s Hall. Her timing was fortuitous, and I was impressed by the Shelter’s mission statement from the beginning. I’ve worked with St. Martha’s Hall for just under six years and I’m extremely proud of my connection there. The work that Jessica and the rest of the Shelter’s staff do every day to serve battered women and their children is invaluable to our community.
With the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Gateway Chapter, I was asked to help with one of the Chapter’s fundraising events – the Wine Opener. I eagerly accepted because cystic fibrosis affects my family. The Wine Opener’s early success eventually led to an invitation to join the Chapter’s Board in 2013. In 2017, I took over as Board president. I’m still part of the Wine Opener’s planning committee and I’m pleased to announce this year’s event raised over $100,000.
Q: What compels you to devote so much of your time and talents to these organizations?
A: My parents raised me to share my time, talent and energy with those who are not as lucky as me. I feel fortunate that both my family and extended family are healthy, happy and prosperous. Those feelings energize and compel me to give to those who I believe I can help.
Q: Favorite thing to do in STL when not at work or volunteering?
A: Playing softball with old guys around South St. Louis.
Q: Favorite vacation spot?
Holland, Michigan
Q: Favorite sport / sports team?
A: St. Louis Cardinals
Q: Favorite movie?
A: Tommy Boy. I think I saw the movie three times before I heard all the lines because I spent so much time belly-laughing.
Q: Favorite book?
A: American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham.
Q: Favorite band / type of music?
A: Tom Petty. I was crushed when he passed away earlier this year. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers was the first concert I attended at the old Kiel Auditorium – the site of the Scottrade Center.
Q: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
A: I’d pay-off the mortgage on my house.
Q: If you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you bring?
A: A hat, a bottle of bourbon and my wife, Lauren.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Partner Matt Devoti.
Casey & Devoti is a St. Louis-based personal injury law firm. Together Partners Matt Casey and Matt Devoti have nearly 40 years of trial experience. They handle a variety of personal injury matters, including: car, truck and train accidents, victims of impaired and distracted driving, medical malpractice and birth injuries, product liability, slips/trips/falls, elder care and sexual abuse, Workers’ Compensation, and wrongful death. Matt and Matt proudly serve clients throughout metropolitan St. Louis, southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois. If you or a loved one have been injured by the negligence of another, call the office today for a free, no-obligation consultation: (314) 421-0763.
