County bar foundation announces annual distinguished lawyer memorial.

CONTACT: Sydnie Moore (619) 283-8896

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego County Bar Foundation will recognize twelve esteemed past members of San Diego’s legal community — including Richard Gerry, a founding partner of Casey, Gerry , Schenk, Francavillla Blatt & Penfield — at the Distinguished Lawyer Memorial, Wed., May 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bar Center, 1333 Seventh Ave. in downtown San Diego.

According to Briana Wagner, executive director of the Foundation, each year the Distinguished Lawyer Memorial Fund gives special and permanent recognition to deceased lawyers and judges of the San Diego County Bar.

In addition to Gerry, this year’s Memorial inductees include: Professor Darrell D. Bratton; Hon. Edward T. Butler; Dan E. Hedin; Hon. Judith N. Keep; Hon. F. V. Lopardo; John W. Netterblad; Hon. Leland C. Nielsen; Hon. Paul Overton; Emmanuel “Manny” Savitch; Hon. Philip Sharp and James O. Sullivan.

“The Foundation’s board of directors reviews numerous nominations, and determines the inductees based on their superior legal skills and high ethical standards throughout careers of significant length,” Wagner said. “Distinguished lawyers are those who demonstrated themselves to be honest, fair, civil and gently mannered throughout their careers,” she explained. “We are honored to induct such a venerable group this year — their plaques will be permanently displayed at the Hall of Justice downtown.”

A founding partner of Casey Gerry, Gerry was best known for his long-time involvement with the Exxon Valdez oil spill litigation, and was one of five attorneys who represented the fisherman plaintiffs in the high profile class action lawsuit — ultimately working to obtain a ground-breaking $5 billion jury verdict.

Gerry, who passed away last year, was inducted into the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego’s (CASD) Past Presidents’ Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2001, and was also a former president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. In addition, he attained recognition as an “outstanding personal injury” Expert by Best Lawyers in America publication.

Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield (previously known as Casey Gerry Reed & Schenk) was established in 1947, and is the oldest plaintiff’s’ law firm in San Diego. The firm’s 13 attorneys practice in numerous areas, including, personal injury, pharmaceutical drug, asbestos litigation and products liability.

For more information, please call (619) 238-1811 or Contact Us online.

The San Diego County Bar Foundation is a not for profit foundation established to improve public awareness of the legal system in San Diego County, the administration of justice and the delivery of legal services through the distribution of its funds.

For more information on the Memorial event or to RSVP, please contact the Bar Foundation at 619-231-7015.