Standing up for and preserving the legal rights of consumers are just one part of what Gayle M. Blatt, a partner with Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield, has taken on after she was appointed president of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (CASD).
“The mission of CASD is several-fold: we are committed to preserving justice for all, to preserving the right to a jury trial for all consumers, to promoting injury prevention through concerted efforts to secure safe products, a safe workplace, a clean environment and quality healthcare; to inspire excellence in advocacy through training and education; to educate the public concerning the United States justice system, the rights of individual within the system and the legal profession; to uphold the honor and dignity of the legal profession and to inspire a commitment to community improvement and service,” Blatt said.
A resident of University City, Blatt has served on CASD’s board of directors for about 12 years and twice has been selected as its “Outstanding Trial Lawyer.” The organization was started nearly 50 years ago by the late David Casey Sr. of La Jolla, who also founded the law firm where Blatt works. Casey recognized the benefit of joining forces to support and educate each other, and now CASD boasts membership of some of the finest plaintiff lawyers in the country.
“I wanted to be a lawyer in part because my father was a lawyer,” Blatt said. “I thought it would be an interesting career. I never imagined it would be as fulfilling as it turned out to be. I am a personal injury lawyer. I always wanted to help people, and I thought that helping people who have suffered injury through no fault of their own was right up my alley. I have had the privilege of representing people who needed my help and have been able to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Fueled by her passion for the law, Blatt began working at Casey Gerry while still attending California Western School of Law. She started on asbestos cases with Fred Schenk as law clerk. The team represented victims of asbestos-related diseases and assisted families stricken by these injuries.
Casey Gerry was established in 1947 and is the oldest plaintiffs’ law firm in San Diego. Located in Banker’s Hill, the firm now includes 11 attorneys specializing in personal injury, product liability, pharmaceutical litigation and more.
“I have stayed at Casey Gerry because it is a firm comprised of some of the finest lawyers I know, who also happened to be some of the greatest people I know,” Blatt said. “We are all of a like mind, and service to our injured clients is our common goal. It is wonderful to have spent the past 23 years with dear friends at the firm, and our lawyers are wonderfully supportive of one another and also active in the legal community.”
Blatt is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Consumer Attorneys of California and the San Diego County Bar Association. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University in New York and her juris doctorate (cum laude) from California Western School of Law. She also serves on the board of directors of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.
For more information, visit www.cglaw.com.
