Craig Young
Bringing a commitment to servant leadership in all he does, both inside and outside the firm, Craig was elected President and Firm Managing Partner in 2018.
- Tried hundreds of cases to final decision before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
- A strong proponent of Heyl Royster’s teamwork approach to client service.
- Worked with other firm leaders to develop one of the nation’s leading Workers’ Compensation Practice Groups.
Craig Young
Attorney in Peoria, IL
Beginning at Heyl Royster as a law clerk in 1983 while still in law school, Craig has devoted his professional and legal career to the firm. Craig became actively involved in many of the firm's litigated practices and was fortunate to get early trial and courtroom experience after becoming licensed in 1985. In addition to multiple State Court verdicts, Craig became one of the state's most prolific trial attorneys in the workers' compensation arena, trying in excess of 100 cases to a final decision before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, along with management of cases at the review and appellate levels.
In addition to his experience in litigated cases, Craig's career has focused heavily on counseling clients regarding managing their overall liability risk. Through seminars and presentations to local and national industry groups, in-house training sessions, and regular claims review analysis, Craig is known for looking beyond the individual case to reduce and control a business's overall liability expense. This comprehensive approach to a client's legal needs is a concept Craig has promoted across all practice areas during his tenure as the firm's Managing Partner.
In addition to Craig's legal service to the firm's clients, he has played an active role in the firm's management and growth. He is most proud of his contributions to the firm's practice group structure, particularly his work with other firm leaders in developing and growing the firm's nationally recognized Workers' Compensation Practice. The further development of the practice group structure, focusing on the firm's client base, became a primary focus upon Craig's election to the firm's Managing Partner position.
When not serving the firm and its clients, Craig focuses on his family and numerous professional, charitable, and civic activities. He has held leadership positions in many organizations and takes the responsibility of giving back seriously. He and his family share a lifelong passion for golf, and he looks forward to the day he can spend more time pursuing that passion.
Practices
- Agribusiness
- Appellate Advocacy
- Business & Commercial Litigation
- Business Organizations & Transactions
- Casualty & Tort
- Civil Rights Litigation/Section 1983 & Correctional Healthcare
- Class Action & Mass Tort
- Construction
- Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy
- Education
- Employment & Labor
- Environmental Law
- Estate, Wealth & Succession Planning
- Governmental
- Healthcare
- Insurance Services
- Intellectual Property
- Liquor Liability & Dramshop
- Long-term Care & Nursing Homes
- Mediation Services & Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Medical Malpractice
- Military Law
- Not-for-Profit Organizations and Religious & Clergy
- Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability
- Professional Regulation & Licensure
- Qui Tam
- Railroad Litigation
- Real Estate
- Toxic Torts & Asbestos
- Trucking
- Workers' Compensation
Credentials
Education
J.D., University of Illinois College of Law
B.A., Bradley University, History
Licensure(s) and Admission(s)
State Courts of Illinois
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States Supreme Court
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Past Chair, National Workers’ Compensation Committee
Illinois State Bar Association
Peoria County Bar Association
President (2014-2015)
Community Involvement
Bradley University, Past President of National Alumni Association
Country Club of Peoria, Past President
Lutheran Senior Ministries, Past President
Salem Lutheran Church, Past President
Heart of Illinois United Way, Past President
Salvation Army, Past Chair of Advisory Board
Presentations/Publications
Presentations:
“Accident Caused by Risks Resulting from Everyday Activities: Moving Toward a New Standard? A Panel Discussion,” Heyl Royster's 33rd Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2018)
“Going Pro: The Advantage of Professional Communications,” Heyl Royster's 32nd Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2017)
“Retaliation in the Workplace: State and Federal Claims,” Heyl Royster Employers' Day Seminar (2016)
“Temporary Transitional Employment,” Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2016)
“Employee Victims of Workplace Violence: New Perspectives on Exposure and Defenses,” Heyl Royster's 30th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2015)
“Effective Strategies for Defending Traveling Employee Claims,” Heyl Royster 29th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2014)
“Workers’ Compensation Reform in Illinois,” Presented in numerous locations (2012)
“Elements of a Winning Workers’ Compensation Program,” Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety & Health Day (2010)
“Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA); Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and Workers’ Compensation,” Risk Control Workshop (2010)
“Medical Science, Industrial Commission Science - Understanding the Industrial Commission's Approach to Medical Issues,” Lorman Education Services (2008)
“The Employee Who Can't Return to Work: Wage Differentials, Vocational Rehabilitation & Job Placement,” Lorman Education Services (2008)
“Medicare Set-Aside Agreements-The Rest of the Story,” Defense Research Institute (2007)
“Resolving (or Alleviating) the Chronic Pain Case,” Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen (2007)
“Definition, Statutory Employers, Self-Insureds, Insurance Non-Compliance and the Stop-Work Order: Sections 1, 3 and 4,” Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen (2006)
“Workers' Compensation and Illegal Aliens,” Defense Research Institute (2006)
“The Employee Who Can't Return to Work: Wage Differentials, Vocational Rehabilitation and Job Placement,” Lorman Educational Services (2006)
“Medical Science, Industrial Commission Science - Understanding the Industrial Commission's Approach to Medical Issues,” Lorman Educational Services (2006)
Publications:
“Recent Advances of the Traveling Employee Doctrine,” For the Defense (2014)
Awards/Recognition
- 40 Under 40 Community Leadership Award
- Defense Research Institute Leadership Award
- Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media℠
- Peoria County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award
- Rated AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
- Salvation Army Pinnacle of Achievement Award
- Salvation Army William Booth Award
Updates
Events
- 34th Annual Claims Handling Seminar - "We're Putting The Band Back Together" at St. Louis - June 22, 2023, 1:00 PM-5:30 PM (US Central)
- 34th Annual Claims Handling Seminar - "We're Putting The Band Back Together" at Bloomington/Normal - June 15, 2023, 1:00 PM-5:30 PM (US Central)
- 34th Annual Claims Handling Seminar - "We're Putting The Band Back Together" at Chicago - June 8, 2023, 1:00 PM-5:30 PM (US Central)
