Eric G. Young
Mr. Young began representing seriously injured persons in 1997. Since that time, Mr. Young has worked on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, so he has experience working with the "other side," which he feels gives him a unique perspective on how to best represent injured person.
Over his years of practice, Mr. Young has developed a strong background in civil litigation and jury trials. He also has had several appellate successes. For example, in 2005, Mr. Young argued a significant premises liability case before the California Supreme Court, Delgado v. Trax Bar & Grill (2005) 36 Cal.4th 224. In that case, Mr. Young's client had been seriously injured in the parking lot of a bar by a group of assailants. The Delgado decision established that a business owner has a duty to take certain steps to protect its patrons from harm, including assaults by other patrons.
Prior to Delgado, Mr. Young won an appeal in another premises liability case, Mata v. Mata (2003) 105 Cal.App.4th 1121, which involved an innocent bystander who was shot by an assailant in a bar. The Court in Mata held the bar responsible due to negligent security allowing the gunman into the bar after he had previously been "86'd" from the bar.
Because of his extensive experience in personal injury matters, particularly with cases involving dangerous properties, Mr. Young was selected by Thomson Reuters to author an article for its Causes of Action series entitled "Cause of Action Against Tavern Owners, Restaurants, And Similar Businesses For Injuries Caused To Patrons By The Criminal Acts Of Others," (2004, updated Oct. 2014). This article contains a nationwide, state-by-state summary of the law of third-party premises liability (the only known source with such a summary) and has been cited by attorneys around the country.
In addition to lawyering, Mr. Young has taught research and legal technology at the Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS), headquartered in Houston, TX. Prior to his tenure at CALS, Mr. Young taught both paralegal and law school courses at several institutions of higher learning, including Empire College, Sonoma State University, Golden Gate University School of Law, and John F. Kennedy School of Law. In Fall 2024, Mr. Young anticipates joining the faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College, teaching pleadings in that institution's paralegal studies program
Mr. Young received his B.A. in ancient/medieval history from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign and his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco. Mr. Young is a member in good standing with the California State Bar and has actively served on State Bar committees, including diversity and disability committees.
To stay abreast of cutting-edge legal issues, Mr. Young maintains a membership with the following organizations:
Since 1878, the American Bar Association (ABA) has been the nation's premier voluntary bar association comprised of lawyers and law students. The ABA's mission is both educational and advocacy-oriented.
American Association for Justice
The American Association for Justice (AAJ) is a nationwide legal advocacy and education organization focused on preserving justice, particularly the right to trial by jury.
California Lawyers Association
California Lawyers Association is a voluntary bar association for California attorneys. Since 2018, CLA has shepherded the educational and advocacy initiatives for California Lawyers formerly overseen by the State Bar of California.
Consumer Attorneys of California
Consumer Attorneys of California is a professional organization representing plaintiffs' lawyers and their clients who have been injured or done wrong through the fault of others.
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
For over 50 years, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (SFTLA) has represented the interests of California Bay Area plaintiffs' lawyers through education, training, and advocacy.
Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (Member/Candidate for Certification)
Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS) is a global professional organization and leader in the field of training legal professionals in the fields of electronic discovery and evidence. Electronic discovery refers to the process of obtaining evidence created or stored electronically or digitally for use in legal proceedings.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
Since 1983, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) advocacy organization, has been dedicated to improving the choices, care and quality of life for California's long term care consumers.
Brain Injury Association of America
Founded in 1980, Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with brain injuries and their families through education and advocacy
Mr. Young frequently writes, speaks, and counsels other attorneys on a variety of legal topics, including legal technology and e-discovery issues. He is the author of "Legal Tech-nicalities," a quarterly column in the Sonoma County Bar Association's Bar Journal. Mr. Young is also a guest writer for the One Legal Blog. One Legal is the nation's leading provider of court electronic filing services. From time to time, Mr. Young blogs about legal technology and related tech geek issues at his own blog, The Cyber-Esq.
In his spare time, Mr. Young enjoys reading and writing historical fiction and nonfiction, gardening, and digital photography. He is passionate about animal rights/welfare in the U.S. and abroad, wildlife conservation and protection, and environmental justice issues, which is reflected in Young Law Group's values. Mr. Young lives with his spouse and their three rescue dogs - "Buster," "Dash," and the newest edition to their family, "Loki," who earns his name well. Mr. Young's passion for animals, and rescue animals in particular, is why Young Law Group commits its pro bono advocacy and financial giving solely to organizations that advance the right of animals as well as conservation and environmental issues.