John E. Young IV

Overview

Trial advocate John Young defends businesses and individuals faced with a wide variety of civil disputes in state and federal court litigation matters. He focuses his practice on the defense of transportation companies, including truck, rail, auto, and bus businesses and insurance companies involved in catastrophic personal injury cases.

John has represented railroads in the defense of FELA claims, grade crossing litigation, trespasser accidents, and toxic tort matters. His practice has been built on achieving consistently excellent results across a wide variety of difficult jurisdictions and contexts. John’s number one priority is to become an expert in his client's litigation needs, from the inside out, to fully determine the best practices necessary to resolve their dispute.

John is also skilled in defending liability claims, such as professional malpractice, premises liability, automobile and land transport, and employment litigation. In each of these areas, he represents a wide variety of professionals, municipalities, property owners, insurers, and for-profit and non-profit corporations, both insured and self-insured.

Throughout his decades at the bar, John has earned a reputation as a tenacious courtroom tactician with analysis and preparation that leaves no stone unturned. His cross-examinations have dismantled opposing experts, while his closing arguments connect with jurors on a gut level. Clients and colleagues alike value his ability to simplify complex technical evidence into compelling narratives that frequently tip the scales in his client’s favor.

Experience

• Represented Fortune 500 transportation companies on all litigation matters since 2002
• Represented Class I Railroads on all litigation matters since 2002
• Obtained several defense verdicts for transportation companies involving serious personal injuries
• Received summary judgment for a transportation client faced with a multi-million dollar claim involving serious injuries to a minor
• Received summary judgment for a transportation client facing a seven-figure property damage claim
• Received summary judgment for a sports and recreation company involving serious injuries to a minor
• Received summary judgment for a transportation client in a matter involving serious injury to a trespasser
• Received early dismissal for a St. Lucian Resort in a matter involving serious injuries to a guest

Publications & Speeches

Publications

• Co-author, “Making Nuclear Verdicts More Predictable,” by John Young and Matt Cianflone, Claims and Litigation Management, Fall 2024
• Co-author, “A Crisis of Confidence – The Modern Day Caste System,” by John Young and Matt Cianflone, Claims and Litigation Management, Summer 2025
• Author, “Spoliation of Evidence: How to Prepare for and Handle Claims and Litigation,” Claims and Litigation Management, May 2015

Presentations & Speeches

• Speaker, “Making Nuclear Verdicts More Predictable,” by John Young and Matt Cianflone, CLM Webinar Speaker, February 2025
• Presenter, “What South Shore Businesses Need To Know When It Comes to Litigation and Claims Management,” South Shore Chamber of Commerce Educational Series, November 2015
• Speaker, Spoliation of Evidence: How to Prepare for and Handle Claims and Litigation,” CLM Webinar Speaker, May 2015

Professional

• Member, Claims and Litigation Management (CLM), 2023 to Present
• Member, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, 2015 to Present
• Member, Provisors, 2014 to Present
• Member, Defense Lawyers Institute, 2010 to Present
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association, 2002 to Present
• Member, Federal Bar Association, 2003 to Present

Community

John serves as Vice President of the Norwell Youth Soccer Association.