Partner Matt Casey currently lives in Richmond Heights, Missouri with his wife Becky and their three children: Evelyn (11), Henry (8), and Frannie (8 months).
Matt Casey’s father, Tom Casey, founded the firm in 1983. While Matt is currently one half of the Casey & Devoti attorney team, he didn’t start out following in his father’s footsteps. We thought it would be fun to learn more about Matt and what he did prior to joining the family business.
You grew up in St. Louis, so let’s start with the standard St. Louis question…where did you go to high school?
St. Louis University High
Did you play any sports in high school?
Soccer and Rugby
What were your interests/hobbies in high school?
I played a lot of soccer. In addition to the high school team, I played for a club team.
Where did you go to college and why did you choose it?
Boston College. Looking back now, I’m not sure why, but I always wanted to go to a school on the east coast. I also had three cousins that went to Boston College, and fell in love with the school when I visited them.
Did you play any sports in college?
I tried walking on to the soccer team, but I tore my ACL on the first day of practice.
What brought you back to STL?
My wife. Becky and I started dating in high school.
What was your first job after college?
I worked as a research assistant in a molecular biology and genetics laboratory at St. Louis University Medical School.
What compelled you to want to go to law school?
Working as a research assistant at St. Louis University Medical School. I decided pretty quickly that I did not want to do genetics research.
What was your first job out of law school?
I worked for a large corporate defense firm, Husch & Eppenberger, LLC (n/k/a HuschBlackwell).
What drew you to the personal injury specialty?
I guess fate. My original plan was to get a law degree and then get into intellectual property law in the medical field. I was offered a job at Husch & Eppenberger. Their largest practice area was litigation, and I ended up working in that department. I enjoyed, it but felt a bit empty representing corporations. I’ve always seemed to have aligned with the Davids, not the Goliaths of the world. My father was a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney and it was a very easy decision for me to join him when he had an opening at his firm.
If you didn’t specialize in personal injury law – what other specialty would you pursue?
Intellectual property law.
You are currently serving your 2nd term as a Council Member for the City of Richmond Heights, MO – do you have plans to seek another term?
No, I think 8 years is enough for me.
Do you have any other political aspirations beyond local government?
No, I’ve enjoyed the City Council, but that is the extent of my political aspirations.
Favorite thing to do in St. Louis when not at work or volunteering?
Biking or hiking with my 12 year old daughter.
Favorite vacation spot?
Colorado in the summer.
Favorite sport / sports team?
Duh, St. Louis Cardinals.
Favorite movie?
Braveheart
Favorite book?
As a lawyer, aren’t I obligated to say To Kill a Mockingbird.
Favorite band / type of music?
I listen to a pretty wide mix, but I grew up with ‘90’s alternative music – Jane’s Addiction, The Pixies, Pearl Jam, REM, etc.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
I’d pay off my house. I hate being in debt.
If you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you bring?
I’ve watched enough Naked and Afraid to ace this one – fire starter, fishing pole, machete.
