At Callahan & Blaine, our talent pool is deep. Each month, we publish our “Attorney Spotlight” where we look past the briefcases to see what makes the men and women of Callahan & Blaine tick. How have we won over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements? It’s a team effort of hard work, dedication, experience and savvy litigation. Today, meet Senior Trial Attorney, Jason Casero!
The Basics:
Name: Jason Casero
Position: Senior Trial Attorney
Birth city: Castle Air Force Base, California
Current city: Redondo Beach
Law school: Boston College Law School
Attorney Q&A:
Q: What attracted you to the legal field?
A: There were many paths before law. I worked on a fishing boat. I was a business analyst for a defense contractor. I was a product manager for an internet advertising company just before the bubble burst… and just before 9/11. I lived in New York when the planes hit the Twin Towers, and I watched as they fell. I was inspired by the resilience of the City in the weeks that followed. I thought about my place in the world, my strengths, and how I might add value. After years of dismissing the thought of going to law school, I applied that same year. I’ve never regretted that choice.
Q: Was there anyone along the way who mentored or influenced your work?
A: I have only had one true mentor in my life: Dr. Ross Lence, my favorite professor and master’s thesis advisor. Dr. Lence taught me that you should never stop asking questions, and that you should never stop questioning what more there is to know. That skill, more than any other, has helped me succeed in the practice of law.
Q: What do you think sets Callahan & Blaine apart from the rest?
A: Like so many of my colleagues at Callahan & Blaine, I began my practice at a large international law firm. But I can say without hesitation that I’ve never worked with a team of attorneys more skilled than those I work with here. The firm has selected attorneys that are not only capable, but just plain smart. I would have no reservation referring my own family and friends to any one of the attorneys I have the pleasure of working with on a daily basis.
Q: Tell us about a case that you are particularly proud of (or was interesting).
A: I have been fortunate to work on a number of cases with successful results. For instance, two years after starting with the firm I secured a $5 million attorneys’ fees award on behalf of dozens of elderly investors in a real estate investment fund. But the most rewarding cases are not always those with the highest dollar value. The cases that make me most proud of being an attorney are those where I know that have conferred a real benefit to the client that they wouldn’t have secured with any other law firm.
Q: What are the things you wish you knew as a junior associate that you know now?
A: Your relationship with clients should always be your singular focus. As a junior associate at a large law firm, I didn’t always have direct contact with clients. Unfortunately, the senior partners who maintained the relationships were not always eager to bring younger attorneys into the conversation. As a result, it was easy to focus on the work and lose sight of who we were working for.
Just for fun:
Favorite TV show: LA Law, but not just because of the show itself… Long before I ever believed I could go to law school, or even college, I was fascinated by that fancy Los Angeles law firm. I remember fiddling with our rooftop antenna to get a better signal – my family lived in a trailer park at the time, and we didn’t have cable. Twenty-five years later I would end up working at a law firm across the street from the building in the opening credits.
Family Facts: I met my wife during my first week as a practicing lawyer. She was a mid-level associate, and technically my boss. Fifteen years and three beautiful children later, we don’t work together anymore. But make no mistake, she’s still the boss.
Guilty Pleasure: Ethnic Food. Thai, Vietnemese, Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, you name it. Working in Orange County is a blessing.
No. 1 Bucket List Item: Building a cabin off the grid that is only accessible by boat plane. Then learning how to fly a boat plane.
Dogs or Cats: I’m an animal person, so I love cats and dogs. But definitely dogs. C’mon.
Dream vacation: Safari in Africa. But comfortable. No bugs, unnecessary risks, or food-borne illnesses.
Favorite High-Profile Case: People vs. OJ Simpson. I was in college, and it was the first time I’d seen a legal case captivate the nation.
Favorite Fictional Lawyer: Tom Cruise, in A Few Good Men. He had tremendous skill, but still needed something special to find courage in the moment.
Stay tuned for next month’s Attorney Spotlight, where we will meet another talented Callahan & Blaine attorney! Our law firm represents corporate, professional and entrepreneurial clients of all sizes. To find out more about our distinctive approach to advocacy and dispute resolution in complex litigation, contact us at the Callahan & Blaine offices in Santa Ana.