Zachary Young

Zachary is a partner of Patton Sullivan Brodehl LLP and an experienced trial attorney.  His practice focuses on complex business and real estate litigation, often involving high stakes.  He adeptly represents individuals and business entities, with a track record of success in various matters, including disputes among real estate investors, disagreements among LLC managers/members or partners, neighborly disputes, title insurance issues, nondisclosure cases, and commercial lease conflicts. 

Zachary started his career handling insurance defense matters, a role that afforded him ample opportunities to oversee cases from inception to resolution. His responsibilities encompassed the full spectrum of litigation, including negotiations, case development, discovery, mediation, and arbitration/trial proceedings. For example, he participated in over 100 depositions of all types within his first decade of practice. This invaluable experience allowed Zachary to gain substantial practical knowledge and litigation practice earlier in his career compared to many of his peers. As he evolved, he transitioned his litigation expertise to more intricate business and real estate disputes, where he has concentrated his practice for the past 5-10 years.

• Assist trial team to obtain jury verdict exonerating real property owner from $55 million fraud and breach of contract claim by CalSTRS SPE arising from "No Wall on the Waterfront" development rejected by San Francisco voters.
• Obtained favorable verdict as lead trial attorney in arbitration before Judicate West in Los Angeles involving significant injuries and policy limits claim stemming from motor vehicle accident.
• Defended Fortune 500 company specializing in electricity, natural gas, and geothermal resources in breach of contract dispute, defeating majority of the plaintiff's alleged claims leading to favorable settlement.
• Represented LLC Members and Managers, and assisted trial team, to prevail at trial and successfully defend attempt to oust clients from multi-hundred million dollar real estate project and instead helped them recover tens of millions of dollars in damages and equitable relief.
• Represented international manufacturer of computer peripherals and software in wrongful termination action leading to favorable settlement after motion for summary judgment was filed.
• Defended former corporate officers against trade secret misappropriation claims.
• Assist trial team to obtain arbitration award in favor of tenant department store against shopping center owner, prohibiting owner from charging its for-profit parking garage expenses to tenant as NNN charges.
• Successfully defended mortgage servicers, banks, and financial services companies in multiple cases involving claims of mortgage fraud, Homeowners' Bill of Rights, debt collection and other statutory, tort, and contracts claims.
• Represented food producer as part of trial team that obtained favorable jury verdict in Arizona District Court involving catastrophic brain injury claims.
• Assisted with appellate briefing in California Court of Appeal representing insured who was denied coverage based on various policy exclusions.
• Successfully convinced appellee to agree to remand in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals after filing opening brief on behalf of client.
• Defended claims of fraud, breach of contract, and elder abuse related to business purchase agreement and obtained favorable settlement for clients.
• Lead trial attorney for LLC members suing manager for breach of fiduciary duties arising from misappropriation and withholding of customary distributions while a charging order was in effect.
• Represented LLC member and co-manager suing co-manager for breach of fiduciary duties and slander of title across three lawsuits in separate counties, eventually leading to a favorable global settlement just before each of the cases was scheduled to go to trial.
• Represented homeowner in neighbor dispute with competing claims of harassment and issues related to boundary fence.  Case settled favorably after making threats of motion for summary judgment.
• Prosecuted bad faith action against title insurer leading to insurance company agreeing to accept coverage, resolve title defect, and reimburse a portion of clients’ litigation costs.
• Defended seller against buyer’s demand for return of earnest money deposit after failing to close escrow.
• Negotiated pre-litigation settlement in favor of homeowners based on claims of seller failing to disclose black mold prior to purchase and sale of home.
• Defended client against claims of misappropriating trade secrets, leading to favorable settlement after threats of motion for summary judgment.
• Represented San Franciso property owner through trial on case involving multi-million dollar dispute over light and air easement.  Case settled favorably after close of evidence at trial.
• Represented general partnership in dispute among partners alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of assets.  Case settled favorably before trial.
• Prosecuted bad faith claim against title insurer based on insurer’s handling of claim involving discovery of utility pipe underlying property.  Case settled at mediation.
• Represented client in LLC dispute in connection with multi-use property in San Rafael, California, alleging claims of fraud, breaches of contract, and breaches of fiduciary duty.
• Assisted client with pre-litigation negotiations based on damage to retail property caused by contractor. 
• Represented client in successful pre-litigation mediation to resolve breach of contract dispute based on seller’s breach of purchase and sale agreement.
• Prosecuted breach of fiduciary claims on behalf of client against partner who had misappropriated funds from LLC.
• Represented client in pre-litigation negotiations leading to settlement of LLC dispute involving operation of a restaurant in San Francisco.
• Defended claims against commercial tenant for failure to pay rent during pandemic.
• Represented client in pre-litigation negotiations leading to settlement of property damage dispute caused by neighbor’s building contractor’s negligence.

• Hastings Business Law Journal, Senior Articles Editor, 2010-2011
• Individual Representation Civil Justice Clinic
• Witkin Awards (highest grade in class):
• Appellate Advocacy (Civil)
• Professional Responsibility
• Negotiation & Settlement
• National Moot Court Teams:
• Pace, Quarterfinalists, Spring 2011;
• Pace, Student Coach, Spring 2012;
• Fed Bar, Quarterfinalists, Spring 2012 (2nd Best Overall Individual Advocate Award)
• Outstanding Achievement in Pro Bono
• Contra Costa County Bar Association

• magna cum laude in both degrees
• Minor in Religious Studies (National Honor Society for Religious Studies)

• Zachary Young, Note, California License To Be Sued:  A Critique of Strict Liability Imposed on Business Owner Licensees From the Perspective of the Smog Check Industry, 8 HASTINGS BUS. L.J. 473 (2012)
• "PSB Update" blog author, since 2020
• "Money and Dirt” blog author, since 2020
  

• Edward J. McFetridge American Inn of Court
• Adjunct Professor and Moot Court Coach at UC Hastings, College of the Law
• ProVisors (San Ramon 3; Bay Area Real Estate Affinity Group; East Bay Lawyers Affinity Group)
  
• Contra Costa County Bar Association

• California
• United States District Court for the Central District of California
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
• United States District Court for the Northern District of California
• United States District Court for the Southern District of California