Attorney Spotlight: Casey Reagan
Casey Reagan is a senior associate with Keystone, where he specializes in trust and estate litigation. With extensive experience representing trustees, executors, beneficiaries, and heirs, Casey ensures the decedent’s true testamentary intent is respected. Practicing in courts throughout California, Casey handles cases from inception to trial or settlement, demonstrating significant law and motion expertise.
Before joining Keystone in 2019, Casey began his legal career at a civil litigation firm, gaining experience in property damage, product liability, and contract matters. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine and listed by Best Lawyers® as a Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch in the Litigation – Trust and Estates category.
Fast Facts
Casey’s meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to our clients’ needs make him an invaluable member of our team. His work consistently reflects the high standards we uphold. Outside of the courtroom, he is a great person to work with, universally loved and respected. I am proud to have him as a part of our firm.
-Managing Partner Shawn Kerendian
- Grew up in Simi Valley
- Graduated from UC Santa Barbara with an undergraduate degree in Political Science
- Graduated from UC Irvine School of Law in the third graduating class of the new law school
- Worked at the Consumer Protection Clinic under the direction of current U.S. Representative Katie Porter where he assisted homeowners in default on their mortgages with obtaining loan modifications in accordance with federal law
- Clerked for the Los Angeles Public Defender where he learned about the importance of zealous advocacy representing indigent clients
- Member of Keystone’s Recruiting Committee
What do you like most about the work that you do?
What I enjoy most about my work is the opportunity to be a zealous advocate for my clients. I love analyzing their cases, exploring their options, and figuring out the best strategy to achieve their goals. It’s like solving a puzzle, piece by piece, with a clear roadmap and objectives in mind. Watching these cases unfold and standing by my clients throughout the entire process is incredibly rewarding.
The emotional and familial aspects of my work often bring unresolved issues to the surface, making it a challenging yet fulfilling experience.
Being there to support my clients, advising them on the best course of action, and helping them navigate through tough times is what makes me passionate about my job. Seeing them come out stronger on the other side is what drives me every day.
-Senior Associate Casey Reagan
What have been some of your most memorable cases?
I had a complex case where a spouse passed away a decade ago after 30 years of marriage. I had to delve into old documents to understand how the marriage evolved and how one spouse attempted to claim community assets as separate property. By meticulously examining both family law and probate law, I was able to present compelling evidence at trial, demonstrating why the claim was incorrect. We ultimately secured a significant victory for our client.
In another complex dispute, we successfully represented a client who was a friend and companion of a widower. The widower had left a substantial cash gift to her in his trust, leading to tensions with his adult children. Following the widower’s death, the distribution of the gift was delayed due to ongoing trust litigation, IRS issues, and objections from the children.
The trustees claimed they couldn’t distribute the gift until objections were resolved. Keystone filed a petition to compel payment based on trust terms and California law. The trust’s complexity required careful legal analysis, leading Keystone to file a motion for summary adjudication. This pressured the children and trustees to settle, ensuring the client received nearly all of her intended gift. Our efforts secured the client’s rights amidst competing interests and complex trust language.
I take pride in every case I resolve, especially those with long odds, and achieving positive results for my clients is deeply fulfilling.
What do you enjoy most about working at Keystone?
I enjoy the camaraderie and being part of a firm that consistently delivers great results and has earned a strong reputation in the field. It’s truly something to be proud of. Joining the firm after it had already established itself and watching it continue to grow has been exciting. We bring in the right people and move in a positive direction each year.
The welcoming atmosphere at Keystone was amazing. From day one, I felt like part of the family. The firm supports new employees by teaching and allowing them to learn on the job. The best education I received was from observing and learning from the attorneys at Keystone. Their professionalism and expertise are inspiring and seeing them in action has been very motivating.
attorneys view career progression at Keystone:
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
Estate planning is a well-known concept, often depicted in real-life scenarios and popular movies. However, many people don’t realize how common trust and estate disputes are or who handles these disputes—probate litigators. If you’re interested in this field, I highly recommend securing a clerkship somewhere or internship at a probate litigation firm to learn probate law.
Continuously learning about probate law is crucial, as it covers many unique situations you might not have encountered before. What makes a great lawyer in this field is the ability to interpret the law accurately. Probate law is updated annually, with even minor changes having significant impacts. Staying up to date on case law is also essential, as it can alter how the law is interpreted and applied.
When you are not working, what would people find you doing?
I really enjoy doing something fun on the weekends or weekday evenings like attending a concert or baseball game, seeing friends, or going to a cool restaurant. I enjoy spending time with my wife, and our cat Jack, cooking dinner and watching TV. We’ve been together for a long time and it’s nice to have a best friend/partner in crime by my side. I’m also really into Halloween and, in the fall, you can find me decorating my house.
What skills or qualities do you think are essential for success in your role?
The most valuable thing a lawyer can do for their clients is to thoroughly understand the law and how to apply it, while also grasping the specific facts of each case. The analytical aspect is just as crucial as providing support and being present for your client. To meet their litigation goals, you need to leverage the law to your advantage, no matter what challenges arise in the case. Once you position yourself effectively, your client will begin to trust you.
What do you think the future holds for this area of law, and how are you preparing for it?
I believe the stakes in this area of law will only increase as wealth continues to accumulate over time, which means that higher-value assets will be at the center of future disputes.
The types of cases and clients we encounter will evolve, and it will be fascinating to see these changes. Our role is to navigate complex family situations that don’t always go smoothly. I anticipate that this field will remain in demand and dynamic over the next 25 years, and I’m preparing by staying informed and adaptable to these shifts.
How do you stay motivated and overcome challenges in your role?
It’s crucial to navigate through difficult moments by removing the emotional aspect and approaching the situation with a clear mind. Taking a break, getting some rest, and reassessing the situation with fresh eyes the next day is essential.
Difficult situations are part of a stressful, high-stakes job. As a lawyer, you handle numerous cases, and while there will be losses, there will also be wins. It’s important to remember that you’ll eventually get to your next win, no matter what. The highs certainly offset the lows, and that’s what keeps me going.
Can you discuss an obstacle or challenging case that helped shape your professional growth?
One major case early in my career was particularly challenging and had a significant impact on my professional growth. The opposing side filed a motion that, if granted, would end the case. We fought hard against it, but unfortunately, the judge ruled against us, resulting in the case being dismissed.
This situation was a close call, and although the result wasn’t in our favor, it showed me that I can still be proud of the effort and work put into the case. I believe I should win in those situations, but it won’t happen every time. You can’t expect every result to go your way, but that doesn’t change your commitment and desire to do what’s best for your client.
I have great respect for judges in the probate field throughout California. They put a lot of effort and thought into their decisions. Even when I don’t agree with a decision, it doesn’t change the fact that the judge is fair and qualified.
How do you like to give back to the profession?
One way I’ve enjoyed giving back to the profession was by co-presenting a continuing education lecture on legal writing. It’s incredibly rewarding and fun to share tips and insights with colleagues that I’ve learned over the years.
I also contribute significantly to a public interest program at my alma mater, UC Irvine, which provides stipends for students working with non-profit organizations. This financial assistance is crucial, as it allows students to engage in public interest work. There’s always a need for volunteers in law school, and I’m proud to support that.
Casey Reagan was very meticulous and straightforward throughout the whole process, giving well researched advice and helping me secure the outcome I had hoped for in a timely manner while avoiding unnecessary fees.
– Olivier D.
Casey Reagan is tenacious, thorough, skilled, honest and talented as a trust attorney. Casey is also aggressive and he listens closely to the directions from the client but is also able to input recommendations and suggestions at appropriate times during lengthy, drawn out family trust issues. I felt fortunate to have Casey on my side. For me Casey was absolutely the best choice.
– Brian M.
From the beginning of our association, we felt confidence and trust in the lawyers at Keystone, especially Casey Reagan who helped us get through the darkness and the fear of this scary ordeal in our life. He is a very thoughtful and capable attorney who is well-versed in trust litigation and knows how to negotiate effectively. His advice and guidance through the process possibly saved us from devastating financial loss, and that has certainly lessened the stress in our lives. That entire ordeal is now thankfully over. Keystone Law Group is an exceptional firm, and it was very evident that it is well regarded. They meet high standards in their care, compassion, and empathy for their clients and are respected professionals. We highly recommend Keystone Law Group and Casey Reagan in particular.
– Frank T.
