Friend or Defense Opponent? Both by Chuck Boyk

I am somewhat weird because I actually like my insurance
defense opponents. At least 95% of them. However, my
absolute favorite opponent is Casey Talbott from Eastman &
Smith Ltd.

Casey and I met on a case 25 years ago. My client went to a
Bowling Green, Ohio bar. A drunk patron who was thrown
out and then readmitted broke my client’s jaw. Casey
represented the bar. We did paper discovery and depositions.
Casey filed for summary judgment and won. We reversed it in
the Court of Appeals. Casey got an affidavit from the
puncher, who by this time was in prison. The judge granted
summary judgment for the second time but screwed up the
decision. We reversed it again in the Court of Appeals. We
then settled the case at a number neither side liked. Later, I
read that the perpetrator turned out to be a serial killer. So to
this day, I thank a serial killer for meeting Casey.

According to the Eastman & Smith website, “Casey Talbott is
a member of Eastman & Smith Ltd., concentrating his
practice in the defense of significant personal injury, wrongful
death, and insurance coverage actions. He also has
significant experience counseling railroad companies with
respect to operational concerns throughout the State of
Ohio.”

“He received his undergraduate and law degrees from The
Ohio State University. He is a member of the Ohio Association
of Civil Trial Attorneys, National Association of Railroad Trial
Counsel, Defense Research Institute, and the Ohio State and
Toledo Bar Associations. He is also listed in Best Lawyers in
America”.

Here are the reasons Casey is my favorite:

His professional manner in zealously representing his client.
His goal is to work with the other side to solve a mutual
problem.  Ego and billing hours have nothing to do with it. He
wants to solve problems as quickly and as easily as possible.

His class.  Fifteen years ago, my youngest son fell off a diving
board onto concrete and ended up with 2 brain surgeries and
21 days in the ICU. My wife and I took turns staying with him
24 hours a day. Casey came and sat in the hospital twice.
There was zero expectation of his visit.

He is my go-to person for advice and finding attorneys to
represent me. Both my trust & estate attorney, and my
employment attorney are partners at Eastman & Smith.
They’re both fantastic and were recommended by Casey. My
succession planning attorney was also recommended by
Casey.

He knows and is liked by everyone, judges, lawyers, clerks,
court personnel, and people in the community. It is because
he is kind and legitimately cares about people.

Recently, Casey took my client’s deposition and met the
client’s young son. The client drowned that weekend. Casey
emailed me a week later and was worried about how my
client’s kids would be able to handle it.

Casey is a fantastic friend, father, and husband.

I told another attorney who is friends with him that Casey was
one of the 10 best people I’ve ever met. Casey would
probably ask who the other 9 people could possibly be?
Casey routinely is listed in Best Lawyers in America. That is
well deserved. However, I think he is even a better person.