Stephen P. Younger

Stephen Younger, Immediate Past President of the New York State Bar Association, is a leading commercial litigator who is also well-known for his alternative dispute resolution work. Having been with Patterson Belknap since 1985, Mr. Younger has more than 25 years of experience as a commercial litigator. As a seasoned trial lawyer, he has tried many cases in federal and state court and before arbitration panels. He also frequently argues appeals, particularly in the appellate courts of New York. Based on his significant ADR experience, he is often called on to serve as an arbitrator or mediator in high-stake matters.

Mr. Younger’s clients include financial institutions, mutual funds, hedge funds, pension funds and venture capital firms involved in commercial, securities and real estate disputes. He has also developed an extensive practice representing Latin American companies in U.S.-related matters.

In addition to his elected position with the State Bar, Mr. Younger has sat on numerous New York State Bar Association committees. He is past Chair of the New York State Bar Association's Commercial and Federal Litigation Section, having previously served as Chair of its Securities Litigation Committee and of its ADR Committee. Mr. Younger is the Chair of the New York State Bar Association's Task Force on Nonlawyer Ownership of Law Firms. He is also a member of the ABA’s House of Delegates and chairs the ABA’s International Mediation Committee. He serves as the ABA’s representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Mr. Younger was appointed to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Transition Committee and was also the Transition Director for Mr. Cuomo when he was the New York State Attorney General. He was also appointed to the Transition Committee for Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Mr. Younger was a member of the Transition Committee for New York County District Attorney, Cyrus Vance. He is the Chair of the Executive Advisory Committee of the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution. He is on the Board of Directors of the Fund for Modern Courts and received the Fund’s John J. McCloy Award. Mr. Younger is counsel to the New York State Commission on Judicial Nominations which nominates New York’s Court of Appeal Judges, and is a member of the First Department Judicial Screening Committee. He currently serves on the Chief Judge's Task Force on Commercial Litigation in the 21st Century and on the Advisory Committee to the New York County Commercial Division. A long time Trustee of Albany Law School, Mr. Younger is past president of its National Alumni Council.

Mr. Younger has spoken at more than 200 seminars and written over 30 articles in the fields of securities litigation, commercial arbitration and international dispute resolution.

Prior to joining Patterson Belknap, Mr. Younger served as Law Clerk to the Hon. Hugh R. Jones, Associate Judge for the New York Court of Appeals.

Representative Matters

Complex Commercial Litigations
Representing a manufacturing company in a shareholder class action concerning non-disclosure of the impact of business developments on its stock price.

Defended a brokerage firm in a RICO and securities fraud litigation concerning alleged non-disclosures of information and manipulation of market in a major Eurobond offering.

Defended a media company in a class action concerning the restructuring of a television station limited partnership.

Obtained dismissal on summary judgment of a securities class action against directors of a consumer products company.

Investigated a complex fraud scheme involving the privatization of state-owned enterprises in Azerbaijan, and launched cases around the world to freeze $80 million worth of assets and recover the funds for a major insurance company.

Prosecution for a brokerage firm of NASD arbitration involving complex securities market manipulation scheme.

Obtained dismissal of a two billion dollar claim versus directors and officers of a foreign bank.

Represented a major international insurance company in multi-jurisdictional fraud litigation over a foreign investment in the face of an FCPA defense.

Conducted investigation and litigation of unauthorized trading scheme for state-owned mining company, including allegations of kickback payments and market manipulation.

Represented a foreign bank in complex litigation brought against the trustee that oversaw mortgage pools that were alleged to have been impacted by fraudulently induced condominium purchases.

Advising the board of a tech company on takeover defense issues.

Arbitrations and ADR
Service as arbitrator in a dispute over the refurbishing of a private jet.

Successfully defended a brokerage firm in multi-day arbitration hearings against claims that CMO investments were unsuitable for an institutional client.

Chaired arbitration panel in an international dispute over a merger and acquisition transaction.

Prevailed in a major international arbitration over the breach of an agreement to acquire a telecommunications company.

Won a stock exchange arbitration involving failed securities trades on behalf of a brokerage firm.

Mediated a dispute over liabilities assumed in a corporate takeover.

Successfully defended a publishing company in arbitration seeking to enforce provisions of a shareholders agreement.

Mediated a series of disputes over bond defaults by a Latin American country.

Represented a real estate developer in multi-day arbitration hearings in a complex construction dispute.

Representing a metals trading company in a multi-million dollar commodities arbitration involving aluminum and bauxite trading contracts.

Appeals
Won a case of first impression in New York's Appellate Division concerning the viability of a fraud claim for concealing evidence that was subpoenaed in a commercial arbitration.

Successfully appealed a groundbreaking fiduciary decision concerning the liability of financial advisers in New York.

Obtained reversal of attachment order over a Miami hotel under novel jurisdictional theories.

Argued appeal of collateral estoppel issues in a major commercial litigation in the New York Court of Appeals.

Handled an appeal to the New York Court of Appeals in a case of first impression involving the enforceability of preliminary agreements under New York law.

Arguing an appeal to the New York Court of Appeals in a dispute over the dissolution of a hedge fund.

Handling an appeal in the New York Court of Appeals asserting that the New York Attorney General is bound by arbitration clauses signed by alleged victims.

Won an appeal in the Second Circuit of a preliminary injunction against retaliation under the FLSA.

Handled a Second Circuit appeal regarding the scope of arbitration clauses as applied to a mutual fund adviser.

Handled an appeal of a constitutional challenge to New York's assessment system for Workers Compensation insurance.

Law Firm Defense
Defended securities fraud suit against major law firm concerning bond issue of a United States commonwealth.

Defended disciplinary complaint brought against corporate attorney.

Defended multiple disqualification motions in major commercial litigation.

Advised law firm on compliance with ethics rules.

Other High Profile Matters
Served as lead counsel in mediation of dispute over large bequest to Presidential Library.

Served as Special Counsel to the Mayor to investigate the New York City Commissioner of Cultural Affairs.

Represented well-known hip-hop producer in First Amendment challenge to New York's Lobbying Law.

Advised New York's Chief Judge on legal issues surrounding the prolonged failure to grant pay raises to the judiciary.