Mary Young

Partner-in-Charge, Minneapolis
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Minneapolis
United States
T:+1 612 321 2273
Minneapolis
United States
T:+1 612 321 2273
Mary Young

Mary Young

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Biography

Mary Young's practice focuses on representing clients in complex matters across a broad range of substantive legal areas, including product liability, consumer fraud class actions, mass torts and commercial litigation. She has first-chair trial experience and serves as national counsel and national coordinating counsel for Fortune 500 companies, defending claims in federal and state courts across the country, including in multidistrict litigation and consolidated proceedings. Mary believes that success comes from listening to her clients, understanding their legal and business objectives and partnering to develop creative, strategic and efficient ways to manage the risks associated with high stakes matters.

Mary is honored to have served pro bono – by Special Attorney Appointment by the Attorney General of the State of Minnesota – as a member of the prosecution team that secured the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. She applied her experience, developed in complex civil litigation, in working with the State's medical expert witnesses to synthesize complex concepts into information that was clear and understandable for the jury.

Mary was recently recognized as one of Minnesota Lawyer's inaugural Top Women in Law 2023, which recognizes attorneys who demonstrate "the core principles of leadership, professionalism, accomplishment and passion for making a difference."

Professional experience

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  • JD, cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School, 2002
    • Study Abroad, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa (Summer 2000)
  • BA, with honors, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1998 

Mary played violin in the University of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and later the Bloomington (Minnesota) Symphony Orchestra. She credits her years of studying violin and playing in symphonies with providing the foundation for a law practice focused on achieving exceptional results through teamwork and maintaining unwavering attention to detail and preparation.

  • Minnesota State Bar
  • National counsel for one of North America's leading branded food companies handling defense of product liability cases involving burn injuries allegedly caused by defects in aerosol cooking spray products; cases pending in Cook County, Illinois (consolidated cases) and state and federal courts across the country.
  • National coordinating counsel in 7,000+ case MDL against one of the world's largest global innovation manufacturing companies; won a complete defense verdict in bellwether trial in Minnesota Federal District Court where the jury agreed with the defense that the warming device did not cause surgical site infections.
  • National counsel for US-based multinational manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer food, handling product and premises liability claims nationwide.
  • Won complete summary judgment in products-liability case alleging defect in aerosol cooking spray product.
  • Secured motion to dismiss victory in putative class actions alleging snack bars were not "natural" as advertised. 
  • Won complete summary judgment on behalf of a leading US based food company in longstanding contract dispute involving indemnity provisions in a private railroad sidetrack agreement.
  • Defended US based food company against a class action, on behalf of California purchasers, alleging that their probiotic yogurt did not promote digestive health as advertised. The case settled shortly after a successful motion to decertify the class's claims for damages, including its claim for punitive damages. 
  • Wage and hour collective action two-phase trial involving allegations of off-the-clock work.
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2024-2025
  • Profiles in Diversity Journal, Women Worth Watching in Leadership Award, 2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2024-2025
  • Minnesota Monthly, Top Lawyers 2024, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions
  • International Association of Prosecutors Special Achievement Award, 2023 - member of special prosecution team of Derek Chauvin trial
  • Minnesota Lawyer’s inaugural Top Women in Law, 2023
  • Litigation Star: Minnesota, Benchmark Litigation, Delinian, 2023-2025
  • BTI Client Service All-Star Most Viewed by Clients, The BTI Consulting Group, Inc., 2023
  • BTI Client Service All-Star MVP, The BTI Consulting Group, Inc., 2022, 2020
  • Benchmark Litigation Minnesota Litigation Star (2015-2022)
  • Best Lawyers - Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Best Lawyers, 2022 - 2024
  • Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year, 2019
  • Minnesota Super Lawyers,  2018-2022
  • Minnesota Monthly, Top Lawyers 2022, Litigation - Commercial
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow, 2014
  • Benchmark Litigation Future Star and 40 and Under Hot List, 2015
  • Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2014 – 2017
  • Washington Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2007 – 2009
  • Mary was the founder and first president of the Minnesota Mother Attorneys Association, a legal organization dedicated to promoting the career excellence of mother attorneys. 
  • While practicing in Seattle, Washington, Mary was an active member of King County Washington Women Lawyers, serving on its board of directors (2006–2008) and as co-chair of its Judicial Evaluation Committee (2007–2011).
  • American Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Association

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