Neil E. Youngdahl

Litigation Attorney

Neil Youngdahl is a litigation attorney who focuses on commercial disputes, appeals, and cases in federal court. As a former federal law clerk at both the trial and appellate level, Neil assisted his judges in resolving hundreds of cases, ranging from months-long criminal RICO trials, to multimillion-dollar trademark disputes, to petitions for judicial review of agency action that raised significant constitutional questions. This experience provided Neil with unique insight into how judges decide cases. Neil now uses this knowledge to advocate for his clients and to guide them through all aspects of litigation.

Neil specializes in appeals, and regularly represents clients at the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Michigan Court of Appeals. On appeal, Neil has argued questions of first impression regarding the proper interpretation of federal and state statutes, multimillion-dollar commercial disputes, and labor disputes involving federal agencies and multi-employer pension funds. Neil often takes his appeals without having handled the underlying proceedings, which allows him to offer a fresh perspective on the case, along with his expertise on appellate procedure and advocacy.

Neil also maintains an active labor practice, with a specific emphasis on representing construction companies who have been sued by multi-employer fringe-benefit funds for alleged unpaid contributions. Neil has reached favorable resolutions for his clients in these cases. Neil’s labor practice also includes litigating petitions for judicial review of orders issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Neil graduated from Alma College, summa cum laude, and from the University of Michigan Law School.  After graduating law school, Neil clerked for the Honorable Sean F. Cox of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (2018-2020) and for the Honorable Richard Allen Griffin of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2020-2022). During law school, Neil interned for the Honorable Robert Holmes Bell of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan and for the Honorable Joan Larsen of the Michigan Supreme Court. He also served as an Articles Editor of the Michigan Journal of Environmental and Administrative Law.

Neil is the Chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Michigan. Neil also mentors students at Alma College who are interested in pursuing a career in law.

Experience

As lead appellate counsel, obtained injunctive relief from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in favor of plaintiff seeking to recover its stolen Van Gogh painting.

Obtained dismissal of a multi-employer pension fund’s claim for unpaid contributions, along with a six-figure settlement from the fund in favor of a construction company.

Obtained dismissal of civil RICO claims against a municipality.

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan, Appellate Section