Mastering the Courtroom - Young on Trials

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Mastering the Courtroom - Young on Trials

Become a master of the courtroom with trial tips from "the last minute trial lawyer." I have conducted almost 200 Civil Jury Trials during 34 years as a lawyer.

My firm specializes in “last minute trials.” I bring my experience in trial to this page to share what I have learned in painting word pictures, weaving compelling stories, and timing for dramatic impact. I will share my knowledge of persuasion, neurolinguistics and behavioral and relationship psychology that I meld into compelling trial presentations to subtly persuade jurors to find for my clients.

01/19/2026

How I Became a Trial Lawyer.

When I was a young attorney, I did not understand that my words were creating the world I inhabited. I spoke about trial in over-reaching absolutes, which limited my possibilities and narrowed my world in law. An example: I would say, "I hate trial." I did not know it, but that was creating a fixed identity for me that prevented growth. It's a false limitation that closed off my future by making trial impossible for me. An unintended lesson from a friend changed that. He said, "Being a trial attorney is nothing more than deciding to try cases rather than praying for settlement."
That statement drilled into the deepest parts of my soul. I decided, "I am a trial attorney, and I will go to trial." Now after almost 200 civil trials (some of them small, others monstrous) I go to trial.
If you think about it, it's not the trial I was describing, but all of my fears. It was the experiences of going to trial without training nor a mentor that I did not enjoy.
Precision in how you describe your experience rather than a gross generalization, doesn't just improve communication, it preserves freedom, the freedom to be different tomorrow than you are today, to have new experiences that contradict old conclusions, to remain open to versions of yourself that your current language doesn't yet have words for. Decide what you want to be, or do, and concentrate on using words that elevate rather than limit your possibilities. When you do this, there are no limits in your life. And remember, I love you.

I have tried almost 200 civil jury trials to verdict. If I can help you with trial, I am happy to do so.
Juryattorney.com 714 673-6500

12/28/2025

You’re Not Stuck, You’ve Just Upgraded Your Cage.

You are living the same life even though you now have a new vocabulary, better coping skills, or a cleaner morning routine. You are a self-help addict. This addiction isn’t chaos, it’s the theater of a false promise to yourself.
I know the addiction, because I am one too. Once I lived a month where I read a book a week, meditated every morning, and wrote in my journal like I was writing my way out of a prison. And it felt holy.
Bit then someone asked me a question that intereupted my performance: “What did you stop doing?” The question disn’t care what I had I learned. Not what did I realize. Not what did I understand — what did I stop.
Silence: I had no answer. I realized all my “growth” was stacked on something I refused to touch: a phone call, a hard apology, that hard boundry it is so difficult to cross. The uncomfortable decision that I had to take the first step.
So I kept climbing. I walked the same circles only at a higher altitude.
I gained more insight, but saw less movement.
Then I learned the test that ends the debate: If my “healing” makes me feel smarter but not braver . . . it’s only avoidance with better branding.”
And it got worse:
I could spend years becoming deeply self-aware . . . and still live in fear.
Here’s a quick check that applies to you as well as me: ask yourself, what’s the one action you keep almost taking?
It does not need to be dramatic. Usually, it’s the small one I kept rescheduling because it made my stomach tighten.
Here’s a challenge I’m making to you —write it in the comments below, as a sentence that starts with: “Today, I stop…”
If you are the person who is always working on yourself but never changing anything this can be the moment you can find out whether you are actually getting somewhere or just moving in circles at a higher altitude.
After you comment, send this post to a person you know who always strives to be better — they will thank you for it.
I love you, and so will they.

12/26/2025

The Season of Disapproval.

Navigating the Season of Disapproval can be challenging, especially during family gatherings from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This period often brings scrutiny of our life choices from family members—be it parents, in-laws, or siblings—who may not understand the paths we've chosen.
In these moments, we find ourselves justifying decisions that diverge from the expectations set by those who love us. Their judgments are often shaped by their own fears, unfulfilled dreams, and beliefs about what constitutes a successful life. Despite our best efforts to articulate our values and vision, we may realize that understanding does not equate to approval.
The truth is, the framework through which they view our choices is deeply rooted in their experiences and needs. Changing their perspective is not simply about presenting logical arguments; it requires a fundamental shift in their beliefs about life itself.
Disapproval often reflects their relationship with concepts like security and success, rather than a true assessment of our choices. If someone does not value logic or education, no amount of reasoning will alter their viewpoint.
Ultimately, we must decide whether their inability to see our perspective will dictate our choices. Embracing our own paths and accepting ourselves is key. We can choose to smile, nod, and love them, even if they cannot fully appreciate the journey we are on.
Juryattorney.com

12/25/2025

Most people spend their lives postponing gratitude. They wait, hoping their circumstances will improve. They tell themselves, “Then I’ll be satisfied.” But gratitude never comes because there is always something more to worry about, or something more they want.
The ancient Stoics practiced what they called “negative visualization.” This involved imagining the loss of what they had, not to be miserable, but to appreciate what they had while they still had it.
This practice isn’t morbid. It’s realistic. Everything you have is temporary. Everyone you love will be gone, or you will. The question is whether you appreciate what you have while you have it, or whether you’ll only recognize its value when it’s gone.
Most people spend their lives postponing gratitude, waiting until circumstances improve before they allow themselves to feel satisfied. But there’s always something more to want, something more to fix, something more to worry about.
The only way to experience gratitude is to practice it now, with things as they are, including all the problems and imperfections and difficulties that come with being alive.

12/23/2025

The quality of your circumstances has little impact on you. That is because our minds focus on inadequacy. This is why wealthy individuals can feel miserable while those living in hardship can experience moments of profound joy. External circumstances matter less than we believe.
What matters is relationship with the circumstances we’re experiencing. Gratitude doesn’t change your circumstances; it changes your relationship with them.

12/18/2025

Ancient wisdom teaches, “If you say it, it is.” Neurologists tell us that your brain believes everything you tell it. Because of that, your brain strives to make what you say, happen. This is why reciting a daily affirmations is a powerful strategy for improvement, and negative speak destroys us.
When we say, “I’m too old,” you are right. When you say, “I can’t,” you are setting your future.
Focus on tell yourself you are young, vital, and capable. To do otherwise, destroys you.
juryattorney.com

11/27/2025

Did you see the new ballons in today’s parade? It took extra hot air to fill my balloon.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING from the Law Offices of Steve R Young.

11/19/2025

Grateful to be re-elected to the OCTLA Board of Directors for the third time.

They say consistency is key. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to work for our community and our clients. Thank you for the support—let’s make this term the best one yet.

11/17/2025

Seven years ago today, I partnered up with the greatest companion, lover, wife and protector a man could be blessed with - Shab. I am not bragging, rather I am expressing a prayer of thanksgiving.
I don’t say this lightly. Within days of our wedding, she said, “Your money is now my money, and there is something wrong with your business, and I am going to find it.” She went to work researching with her background as a Ph.D in business administration. She dug like the international internal auditor for Warren Buffet, that she was.
Within a short time, she found the culprit. The traitor was an employee who had been with me for 20 years. Four different accounting firms that had worked for me over a long period never detected a problem - Shab did.
We sent the traitor packing, and Shab took over management of my firm.
She is the most qualified law firm manager in the country. She could be working as a CFO in any Fortune 50 firm in the world, yet she works in my firm because we want to be together 24/7.
She constantly showers me with love, and makes my life a dream. I repeatedly tell her, “I loved you before we came here, and I will love you through all eternity.”
I am the most blessed man on God’s earth because the woman whom I love with every fiber of my being, loves me the same way.

11/15/2025

When I fight dragons, there are times when my sword breaks. So I search for a better sword. I can celebrate my wins, but I learn more from my losses.
The most important lesson is that it does not matter how large or how powerful the opponent may be, if you are standing for what's right, and doing what's right, there is no opponent strong enough to prevent you from obtaining justice.

I have tried almost 200 civil jury trials to verdict. If I can help you with trial, I am happy to do so.
Juryattorney.com 714 673-6500

11/03/2025

“The Loser’s Advantage: Seven Steps to Turn a Losing Motion Into a Win”

When someone learns I am an attorney, they typically volunteer, “I want to be a lawyer.”
“That’s great. Why do you want to be a lawyer?” I ask.
“Because I love to argue.”
Connecting “law” and “arguing” is understandable, if one’s exposure to law is limited to movies and social media. But that is not real life.
Arguing rarely changes anyone’s mind. By definition, arguments are rooted in strong disagreement. People don’t change their mind while arguing contrary positions. Arguments generate a lot of heat and not much light.
You may ask, “Why do we have closing argument in trial, or argue motions, if we should not argue?” It is unfortunate that convention labels these activities with less than accurate descriptions.
I submit that an effective attorney never argues. Instead, the goal is persuasion. Picture yourself standing in front of a judge whose tentative ruling is against you on all points. Do you argue that the judge is wrong on every point? How far do you think that will get with such a challenge?
I submit the following approach may yield you better results:
1. Identify the one point that will make a difference in the motion or the case. If you can’t identify a difference that matters, stop. Don’t waste your time or the judge’s time. Otherwise, you are just arguing to argue.
2. Concede the points you cannot win. If you argue them, it undercuts your persuasive goals. If you let them pass, the judge sees you understand the dynamics of the ruling.
3. If you identified the strongest remaining point that makes a difference, and decide the battle is worth it, use a low-key approach to the judge. Assume the role of a trusted partner in finding truth.
4. Raise the point with the judge.
5. Tell the judge why a change in the ruling on the central point will make a significant difference to the parties and why it is desirable to accomplish that goal.
6. Suggest, “The ruling (NOT the judge), misses the central point that makes a significant difference and denies your client the justice the facts demand.”
7. Suggest that to help the judge “reconsider” the central point, you are willing to submit an additional brief to make clear the harm the ruling imposes if left undisturbed.
Whether the judge grants permission, or not, be gracious. After all, the ruling is against you. A reconsideration, or an opportunity is not a right. If you get the chance, you have done what most attorneys could not because they argue as adversaries to the judge, rather than someone who is willing to assist the judge in seeking justice.
Please share in the comments, your experience reversing a tentative ruling and what worked for you.
I have tried almost 200 civil jury trials to verdict. If I can help you with trial, I am happy to do so.
Juryattorney.com 714 673-6500

10/25/2025

A Bag Filled With Brown, Smelly, Stuff.

When a potential client comes to my office, they carry an old burlap bag filed with brown, warm, steamy, smelly problems. They drop the bag in the center of my conference room table. The central question in their mind is, "Will you carry this bag for me?"
Each client seeks relief. The bag's weight crushes them. It is so heavy, they are doing something no one ever wants to do: they are looking for an attorney. Typically, I am not the first attorney they visit.
Do they want me to answer their questions before I know the facts? No. They want me to care enough to learn the facts, research the law, and come up with a viable strategy for getting the s**t out of their life.
How do I do this? How do I give the assurance the client craves in an initial meeting? The meeting is not what most attorneys think it is. That first meeting is a marketing session. The client brings a case to me and tells their story, hoping I understand them and what they need. As an attorney, I present a set of skills and experience, hoping the client sees the value I bring if the client hires me.
I do not present myself as the means to solve the client's problem. I present myself someone who cares about them.
Many attorneys worry about how to induce the client to hire them. This is the wrong approach. I listen with my heart to their story, and more so to their pain. If a client feels I am truly interested in them, in what happened to them, in what they suffer with, they will want me above every other, more experienced lawyer out there. This is because the "Just the facts, Ma'm" approach does nothing to create connection.
The attorney needs to feel and understand the client. In every first meeting, I tell the potential client, "I can't go to trial for you unless I feel true love for you," and I am absolutely telling them the truth. That is all any potential client wants to know. They want to know this is not a "transactional" meeting. They want to know I understand that we are talking about their life and not an opportunity for me to earn fees.
At the end of the meeting, I tell the client, "You have a choice. You can leave that bag in the center of my table, and walk out without its weight pushing down on you, and I will carry it now. Or you can pick up the bag and continue to carry it." No one has ever left with the bag, they want me to carry it. This is the essence of the attorney client relationship: the attorney understanding and caring for the client. This is how I treat my clients, and how I wish more attorneys would treat their clients.
I have tried almost 200 civil jury trials to verdict. If I can help you with trial, I am happy to do so.
Juryattorney.com 714 673-6500

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95 Enterprise, Ste 340
Aliso Viejo, CA
92656

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http://www.juryattorney.com/

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