A partner in Willman & Silvaggio LLP, James W. Young, Jr. joined the firm in 1986. He is a 1974 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he received Oral Honors in Moot Court Competition and was an active member of the Moot Court Board.  Mr. Young has also had the honorable distinction of receiving the highest rating of "AV” from Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Young’s primary practice consists of the representation of corporate and insurance clients defending civil actions in areas of products liability, construction contracts, negligence, breach of warranty, property damage and insurance coverage. As a result of defending such a wide range of cases, he has developed an expertise in areas of benzene exposure, formaldehyde exposure, silica exposure, heating and air conditioning for large buildings, fire prevention system malfunction, and the operation of household items such as garage door openers and furnaces.

Lawsuits of this type have given him experience in defending claims for trauma related injuries and chemically induced illnesses. His expertise extends to the emerging need to defend against claims of resultant psychological damages.

Attorney Young has been active in asbestos personal injury and property damage litigation, and also in representing the interests of insurers in insurance coverage lawsuits stemming from the cleanup of numerous Superfund sites and claims for coverage for intentionally caused harm. His courtroom expertise is underlined by the frequency with which he is chosen lead trial counsel by other defense counsel.

A committed leader in community affairs, Mr. Young has served as the president of his local Kiwanis Club, on the boards of his community preschool and church council, and as pro bono counsel to various community sports groups. He has also chaired his local Township Zoning Hearing Board.

James W. Young, Jr. is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the Western and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, American Arbitration Association, and the Defense Research Institute.