Attorneys / Christopher A. Young
Christopher A. Young
Shareholder
Practice Groups
Business & Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property
Biography
Chris Young is a seasoned litigator with more than 25 years of experience guiding clients through high‑stakes intellectual property litigation and complex commercial disputes. Companies ranging from emerging innovators to Fortune 500 corporations trust him with matters involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and cutting‑edge product liability theories.
Chris is known for delivering results in demanding venues nationwide—including rural state courts, federal appellate courts, and the fast‑paced International Trade Commission. He leads all phases of litigation, from fact and expert discovery to dispositive motion practice and trial strategy. His track record includes complete defense verdicts in first‑of‑their‑kind product liability suits and plaintiff‑side recoveries that exceed initial demands.
Clients value Chris’s ability to translate technically dense subject matter into clear, compelling narratives for judges and juries. He works closely with in‑house counsel and business leaders to align litigation strategy with broader commercial objectives—whether the goal is early resolution or a full trial on the merits. Having represented both multinational corporations and lean, innovation‑driven companies, he brings a pragmatic, business‑focused approach to every engagement.
In addition to his trial practice, Chris advises clients on privacy and cybersecurity issues that intersect with their intellectual property and commercial operations. His combined litigation and advisory experience enables him to identify risk early, design practical compliance strategies, and position clients for favorable outcomes if disputes arise.
Education
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2019
- Cybersecurity and Privacy Law Certificate
- University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with distinction, 1998
- Buena Vista University, B.A., cum laude, 1995
Bar Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- Minnesota
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- Represented small Twin Cities-based corporate petitioner in ITC patent infringement investigation regarding the formatting of magnetic data storage tape. Respondents included multiple Fortune 100 companies that were represented by three large firms ranked highly in the Am Law 100. Led all fact and expert discovery efforts, including efforts regarding claim construction, infringement, and validity contentions. Settled on favorable confidential terms before trial.
- Represented Twin Cities-based defendant in first-of-its-kind products liability suit alleging damages to cotton crops from the alleged drift of nearby herbicide applications. Along with co-defendants, obtained a complete defense verdict after a six-week jury trial in plaintiff-friendly Clay County, Arkansas (the heart of Arkansas’ cotton farming region).
- Represented dental product developer against infringing dental products manufacturer. Convinced court to exclude the defendant’s expert opinion on damages. Obtained plaintiff’s verdict and damages award of more than twice the amount requested.
- Represented closely-held agricultural equipment innovator in Federal Circuit appeal against a Fortune 100 agricultural equipment manufacturer, obtaining reversal of the district court’s claim construction and finding of patent invalidity
- Represented nation’s largest retailer and prevailed on motion to dismiss patent complaint pending in the Central District of California; subsequently convinced plaintiff to dismiss with prejudice under threat of Rule 11 sanctions
- Obtained third-party discovery from Mayo Clinic on behalf of European Merck subsidiary in contested 28 U.S.C. § 1782 Application relating to EPO Opposition proceeding concerning KEYTRUDA® patent
- Represented defendant smart card manufacturer in patent infringement suit. Obtained a favorable settlement of patent infringement allegations.
- Represented licensee of options trading software in a dispute over critical backroom software license. Obtained favorable settlement after prevailing on expedited motion practice in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Represented accused infringer in patent litigation regarding methods for implanting spinal implants. Obtained favorable settlement.
Publications
- Privacy, author and editor, Business Disputes: Claims and Remedies, 3rd Edition, Chapter 13
- The Threat of Paper Terrorism, author, LAW360, http: // https://www.law360/whitecollar/articles/247411/the-threat-of-paper terrorism
- International Arbitration: The Only Way to Resolve Multi-Jurisdictional Patent Disputes in a Single Forum, author, Transnational Dispute Management; TDM 6 TDM Journal, No. 1, March 2009
- Why Arbitration Is A Valid Alternative, author, Managing Intellectual Property
- Written Discovery Strategies, author, Discovery Strategy: Finding the Smoking Gun, National Business Institute
- Minnesota Has New Weapons In The Fight Against Paper Terrorism, author, The Hennepin Lawyer
Bar Associations
- Federal Bar Association
- Intellectual Property Section
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
