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Milt Younger was born in Bakersfield in 1931 and has lived in Bakersfield all of his life. In 1956, Milt went to work for Morris B. Chain, who founded the law firm almost 70 years ago. Mr. Chain was then the best-known lawyer in Kern County. Milt has been with the Chain-Younger law firm ever since, some 46 years, and became senior partner of the firm following Mr. Chain's death in 1977. Milt has principally represented persons hurt in accidents. His life has been dedicated to helping people from all walks of life: young, old, rich, poor and those in between.
Because of the many people he has helped over the years, Milt has a unique understanding of the problems his clients face after their injuries. Summers home from law school were spent working as a roughneck in the Kern County oilfields. Almost none of the equipment was guarded at that time and many workers were killed or injured while working. These experiences profoundly shaped what Milt wanted to accomplish in life--to help those who found their lives devastated because of these accidents. After becoming a lawyer, he began filing lawsuits on behalf of injured workers against the parties responsible for the inadequate safety measures. Today, virtually all machinery and equipment in the oilfields and other industries are appropriately guarded.
Deeply involved with organized labor for the past 40 years, Milt is proud to have represented firemen, policemen, correctional officers, California Highway Patrol officers, Naval Weapons Center employees, doctors, educators, and senior citizens.
The following are highlights of Milt Younger's career:
EDUCATION
- Bachelor's and Master's degrees obtained from Stanford University
- Stanford Law School degree in 1956
- Admitted to practice of law in California in 1957
- Served as JAG Officer in the United States Army
MOST RECENT VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS
- 2002 - represented a city employee who lost both legs in a motor vehicle accident. This man received more than 18.5 million dollars payable in a lifetime tax-free annuity
- 2001 - represented a 3 year old quadriplegic child who received more than 56 million dollars payable in a lifetime tax-free annuity
- 2000 - represented two burned oilfield electricians who received more than 1.7 million dollars
- 2000 - verdict of 1.7 million dollars for an injured CHP officer
AWARDS
- November 2002 - Presidential Award of Merit for dedication and
commitment in advancing the rights of all California Consumers and for
protecting the civil justice system awarded by Consumer Attorneys of
California
- 2001 recipient of the prestigious Bench and Bar Award from the Kern
County Bar Association
- 2000 - recipient of an honorary doctorate from Cal State University
of Bakersfield
- Received "Person of the Year" and "Lifetime Achievement" awards from
the Kern County Democratic party
- 1990 - Named "Outstanding Friend" and commencement speaker for Cal
State University of Bakersfield
- Received "Person of the Year" and "Lifetime Achievement" awards from
the Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties Central Labor Council and Building Trades
Council
- Recipient of awards for the California Teachers Association, the
Black American Political Association, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the
Kern County Sikh Community and several other charitable and educational
organizations
- Recipient of many Commendatory Resolutions from the California State
Senate and Assembly
- Founding member of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
SERVICE
- Attorney for Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties Central Labor Council and Building Trades Council
- Pioneered Group Legal Services (GLS) in Kern County that provides free legal consultations and reduced attorney fees to members of the groups it represents.
- Pioneer member of the California Trial Lawyer Association
- Served on Board of Governors and the Executive Committee of the California Trial Lawyer Association for the past 24 years
- President of the Child Guidance Clinic
- President of the Weill Foundation
- President of the Center for Kern Political Education
- A chairman on the successful 180 million dollar bond issue for Bakersfield College
- Current president of the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra
- Past board member of Habitat for Humanity
- Served on the Board of Visitors of Stanford Law School
- Testified at legislative hearings to require adoption of various safety laws including the law requiring children under 40 pounds to be in appropriate car seats for them.
- Involved in some capacity with virtually every political campaign at a local, state and national level for more than 40 years
PERSONAL AND FAMILY
Primarily, Milt's work, charitable and political activities have defined his life, but he does get in some recreation. He runs and is a member of the Doughnut Shop Racers who meet every day at 5 AM. Following his run, he goes to the gym and continues his workout. Milt and his wife, Betty, are frequent patrons of art and theater presentations and the
fundraisers that support them. They have 3 adult daughters and 4 grandchildren.
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Milton M. Younger