Scott Young
Overview
Scott Young is a seasoned trial attorney who represents businesses, executives, governmental entities, and professionals in complex commercial disputes, high-stakes litigation, and appellate matters. He has successfully tried cases in state and federal courts and has argued appeals before federal and state appellate courts.
Clients turn to Scott for practical judgment, strategic litigation counsel, and courtroom advocacy in matters involving contract disputes, business conflicts, civil rights claims, and other significant litigation exposures. His experience spans all phases of litigation, from early case assessment and dispositive motions through trial and appeal.
Scott earned his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School and served as a law clerk to the Honorable U.S. District Judge Dee Benson. He is a former president of the Utah Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and a former chair of the Utah State Bar’s Constitutional Law Section.
Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Mountain States Super Lawyers, and Utah Legal Elite, Scott is known for delivering thoughtful, results-oriented counsel in matters where legal risks, business objectives, and reputations are closely intertwined.
Credentials
Education
- Columbia Law School, 2005 (J.D.)
- Claremont McKenna College, 2001 (B.A.)
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
- Obtained a jury verdict for a police officer in an excessive force case stemming from an officer-involved shooting.
- Obtained summary judgment for a police officer and department in an excessive force case stemming from a police dog bite.
- Obtained summary judgment (affirmed by U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit) on due process and equal protection claims related to water rights.
- Obtained summary judgment (affirmed by U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit) on due process claims against a state doctor.
- Successfully represented a minority high school student in a discrimination claim against school district.
- Obtained judgment in a bench trial for a disaster clean-up company in a claim for breach of contract and cross claim for defective services.
- Obtained judgment in a bench trial for an insurer seeking reimbursement for misuse of funds by employee.
- Negotiated the successful resolution to a breach of contract claim against a computer engineer related to design of a rollercoaster.
- Negotiated the successful resolution of a breach of contract claim for 911 provider against software developer.
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation
- Mountain States Super Lawyers, Civil Rights
- Utah Business Magazine, Utah Legal Elite
- Columbia Law School, Parker School Award for Achievement in International and Comparative Law, 2005
- Utah Criminal Jury Instruction, Committee Member, 2010-202
- Federal Bar Association, Utah Chapter, Former President, 2016
- Utah Bar Association, Constitutional Law Section, Former Chair, 2015
- “The First Amendment in the Pandemic and Protest Era,” Utah Local Governments Trust, September 2020
- “#MeToo and the First Amendment,” Best Practices in Utah Public Employment Law Seminar, November 2018
- “Mediating Civil Rights Cases Against Police Officers,” Alameda County Bar Association, April 2018
- “Mediating Civil Rights Cases Against Police Officers,” SideBAR, Spring 2017
- “Moneyball Takes the Bench: Using Statistical Analysis of Judges and Courts to Your Advantage,” Federal Bar Association’s Annual Convention, September 2015, and Utah State Bar Summer Convention, July 2016