Companies rely on David Scriven-Young to help them navigate environmental regulations, manage risk, and resolve complex disputes when regulatory issues intersect with litigation. By combining environmental compliance insight with courtroom experience, David helps clients address problems before they escalate and defend them effectively when they do.
Dave serves as environmental, health, and safety counsel and trial lawyer for companies and professionals across a wide range of industries. He advises in-house counsel, executives, and company leadership on compliance with federal and state environmental laws, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and related OSHA regulations.
In litigation matters, Dave defends clients against notices of violation and citations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state environmental agencies, and OSHA. He represents clients in environmental and toxic tort matters in federal and state courts as well as before the Illinois Pollution Control Board. Dave also advises clients on environmental issues arising in corporate transactions, including permitting and regulatory due diligence, and manages environmental investigation and remediation efforts at sites across the country. His practice includes conducting environmental compliance audits and advising companies on legal responses to emergency environmental incidents.
His construction litigation practice includes prosecuting and defending mechanic’s lien actions, payment and performance bond claims, breach-of-contract disputes, breach-of-warranty claims, delay and inefficiency claims, contract termination disputes, and matters involving job-site injuries.
Dave also represents employers in employment-related disputes, including wage and hour claims, breach of employment contract matters, and claims involving sexual harassment and discrimination based on gender, race, or national origin. He handles these matters in state and federal courts as well as before the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and regularly negotiates employment contracts and separation agreements.
Through leadership roles in national organizations such as the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section; Forum on Construction Law; and Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, Dave has built a strong network of attorneys across the country. This network allows him to coordinate litigation in multiple jurisdictions while working with local counsel who understand the nuances of regional courts.
In addition to his practice, Dave is active in pro bono work and regularly shares insights on litigation strategy, legal developments, and law firm best practices. For four years, he hosted the Litigation Radio podcast, where he discussed trial tactics, professional development, and strategies for building a successful litigation practice.
Dave has been named to the Illinois Super Lawyers for Environmental Law since 2014 and was named to the Best Lawyers in America list in 2024.
