Robert Shawn Casey

Since I was young, I’ve always been more or less disgusted by the prison-industrial complex. I’ve always seen it as an incredibly negative part of our society that doesn’t do much good for anyone. Really, it seems that the people in power are more interested in imprisoning others for their own profit or political reasons than because they actually care about the details of a criminal case.

That’s why I went into law school, plain and simple. I was never impressed with the criminal justice system, and I wanted to do something about it rather than disagree with it from afar. Not only that, but the idea of being able to argue someone’s way out of a seemingly impossible situation was an obstacle I was determined to overcome.

Before I could begin making my mark in the legal world, I first had to go to law school and make sure I was heading down the right path. Fortunately, I was able to study under some excellent professors at DePaul College of Law and try out a few internships — Cook County Public Defender and Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers. These internships further fueled my interest in criminal defense and also showed me that I might have a place in family law, as well.

After graduating from DePaul, I went on to become a Colorado public defender and gained some excellent hands-on experience. It didn’t take long, though, for me to realize that I wanted to expand my horizons. I decided to enter private practice so that I could take on a more versatile caseload.

The timing worked out perfectly because, as it turned out, Stephanie was looking to invite another impassioned attorney into her firm, and I was more than happy to take her offer. Stephanie has a reputation for being a pit bull in the courtroom and a fierce attorney all around. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. Since I came aboard in 2015, Stout & Casey has been in full force.

Criminal defense is still my greatest professional passion — Stephanie’s, too. However, since we came together, we have grown our family law practice and gone on to help Colorado residents with other important legal matters — namely workers’ compensation and consumer protection. As we continue to expand the firm, I can’t wait to see what other challenges we will take on in the name of justice.

• Colorado

• J.D. DePaul College of Law, 2013

• Weld County Bar Association