Scott Young

Scott Young

Of Counsel
Over the course of his career, Scott has exemplified what it means to be a servant-leader. His unwavering commitment to education, mentorship, public service and professional development has left a lasting impact on countless individuals and institutions.
— Sandra Phillips, former chief legal officer of Toyota Motor North America
Dallas
About

Scott Young advises domestic and international clients making the strategic capital investments needed to grow their businesses across the country, create jobs and enhance the communities in which they operate. From site selection to project completion, Scott partners with corporate leaders and state and local governmental stakeholders through all stages of the incentives process to help his clients undertake major development projects in a way that achieves their long-term business objectives. Scott's experience spans a broad range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, research and development, hospitality, retail, and commercial real estate. In addition, Scott counsels clients on a wide range of corporate, real estate, and construction matters, drawing on extensive experience leading acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and other strategic business transactions.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Scott spent 15 years in in-house legal leadership roles, where he advised C-suite executives and cross-functional business teams on complex legal and commercial matters. This experience gives him a unique combination of Big Law training and practical business judgment, allowing him to provide commercially focused advice tailored to a client's broader strategic objectives.

Scott is a recognized leader in the legal community, having served in numerous leadership roles with the State Bar of Texas and the Association of Corporate Counsel and received multiple awards recognizing his professional excellence and commitment to community service. Through his countless pro bono and other community service endeavors, Scott puts into action his firm belief that all people deserve access to justice and the necessities of a joyful life.

Areas of FocusCorporateReal EstateMergers and AcquisitionsConstruction and EngineeringInfrastructure, Construction and Transport
Bar admissionsTexas
Scott is a remarkable person and tireless advocate for the power of law to serve and uplift. He approaches every opportunity to assist those in need with vision and compassion.
— Sarah Cummings Stewart, partner at Reed Smith
Education
  • J.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 2004
    with honors
    Article and Notes Editor, Texas International Law Journal
  • B.A., Political Science, Utah State University, 2001
    Valedictorian
    summa cum laude

EXPERIENCE

  • Lead all legal aspects of site selection, due diligence, incentive negotiation with multiple state, local, and private entities, and startup for $13.9 billion automotive electric battery manufacturing plant creating up to 5,100 jobs
  • Represent industrial manufacturer in site selection and incentives for $200 million manufacturing campus creating 3,000 jobs
  • Represent multinational automotive client on site selection, due diligence, incentive negotiation and drafting, and real property acquisitions for $2.3 billion manufacturing plant in joint venture creating up to 4,000 jobs
  • Beginning with large, underutilized R&D real estate asset, formulate business plan to develop the asset into major commercial testing facility, negotiate and draft all agreements for development of on-site R&D business park for third-party tenants, engage third-party manager to oversee all growth and operations – all with projected revenues into 9 figures within the first decade
  • In capacity as in-house counsel to the $800 million privately held target entity, handle due diligence, corporate governance, and documentation involved in the divestiture by the target's privately held parent company
  • Represent seller in sales transactions involving nearly 200 locations, negotiating asset purchase agreements and managing all corporate, franchise, real estate, and licensing components
  • Represent client in the winding up, decommissioning, and $270 million sale of its 110-acre headquarters facility in Torrance, California (30-day diligence, 5-day close)
  • Represent publicly traded senior living company in multi-site acquisitions, sale-leasebacks, and $130 million and $110 million refinancings
  • Form joint venture with regional developer and national real estate company to acquire and expand a shopping center via the assumption of CMBS debt and capital contributions
  • Represent national shipping company in sale leaseback transactions totaling over $150 million
  • Represent portfolio lender working out non-performing commercial loans totaling over $250 million
     
Languages
  • English
  • Spanish

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • DFW Corporate Counsel Award - Pro Bono and Public Service, The Texas Lawbook and Association of Corporate Counsel, (2026)
  • 2022 General Counsel Award, Toyota Motor North America - Legal Department, (2022)
  • 2020 ATJ Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Award, Texas Access to Justice Commission/Texas Supreme Court, (2020)
  • 2018 Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award Finalist - Pro Bono and Community Service, The Texas Lawbook and Association of Corporate Counsel, (2019)
  • Corporate Partner Pro Bono Award 2016, Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans Tarrant County Chapter, (2017)

Pro Bono

Scott has held leadership roles focused on pro bono and community service, including Chair of the Corporate Counsel Section of the State Bar of Texas, Chairperson of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committees for the Association of Corporate Counsel – DFW Chapter, and prior President and officer roles with the Association of Corporate Counsel – DFW Chapter.

Some of Scott's prior pro bono work includes advising veterans on dozens of civil legal matters, successfully representing women fleeing gender-based persecution seeking asylum in the US, assisting Home Point clients facing housing insecurity, providing hundreds of estate plans for first responders, working with SMU Law's Child Advocacy Clinic, representing a felon serving life in prison convicted by a non-unanimous jury verdict in seeking a new trial (spurred by Ramos v. Louisiana), staffing the non-partisan Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law election protection hotline, and helping dozens of innocent citizens secure expunctions through the annual Dallas Expunction Expo.

In 2020, Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman presented Scott with the Texas Access to Justice Commission's Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Award.

Publications

  • Co-author, "Issues Unique to Restaurant Leasing: If You Can't Take the (Legal) Heat, Stay Out of the Kitchen," 2016 The ACREL Papers 31, March 1, 2016
  • Author, "A Presumption for Supervised Visitation in Texas: Understanding and Strengthening Family Code Section 153.004(e)," Texas Tech Law Review

Media Mentions

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Scott held in-house legal roles with leading companies – Toyota Motor North America and TGI Fridays. Before that, he practiced at a global law firm.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Chair, Corporate Counsel Section, State Bar of Texas, (2025 – 2026) 
  • Chair Elect, Corporate Counsel Section, State Bar of Texas, (2024 – 2025) 
  • Council Member, Corporate Counsel Section, State Bar of Texas, (2021 – present) 
  • Chairperson, Pro Bono and Community Service Committees, Association of Corporate Counsel – DFW Chapter, (2014 – 2025) 
  • President, Association of Corporate Counsel – DFW Chapter, (2018 – 2019) 
  • Officer, Association of Corporate Counsel – DFW Chapter, (2016 – 2018) 

Connect

Phone

+1 214 743 4571
(Work, Dallas)

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