How Stralen Young Came to Be
John Stralen and Matt Young spent over 20 years each representing injured clients across California. Over time, they realized they shared a vision – a legal practice that would be personal, aggressive when it counted, and deeply rooted in client trust.
Stralen Young was built on that shared philosophy. It’s a firm where your case isn’t just paperwork – it’s a priority.
John Stralen
Partner, Stralen Young LLP
John Stralen is a trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience representing individuals and families in cases involving serious personal injury, wrongful death, and catastrophic harm. He has secured numerous seven- and eight-figure results for clients across California—including a $63.25 million wrongful death trucking settlement, a $14.2 million product liability recovery, and other multimillion-dollar jury verdicts and settlements in auto, trucking and employment cases.
John is a proud member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)—distinctions earned by fewer than 1% of attorneys nationwide. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Capital City Trial Lawyers Association. Since 2017, John has been a Board-Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)—an honor held by only a few attorneys in the Sacramento area. This distinction requires a rigorous application process, including peer and judicial reviews, verified trial experience, and a comprehensive written exam. It is one of the legal profession’s most respected and demanding certifications for courtroom advocacy.
John began his legal career defending corporations in complex litigation at large defense firms. In 1999, he turned his focus exclusively to representing plaintiffs, delivering the level of advocacy injured individuals and grieving families need to overcome the deep resources and delay tactics sometimes employed by large companies and insurers.
Clients and opposing counsel alike recognize John for his clear, strategic thinking and his unflinching advocacy at every stage of litigation. Whether a case settles or goes to trial, he brings a thorough and focused approach that has resulted in significant settlements and verdicts that force policy changes and public safety reforms while providing meaningful justice for those he represents.
Outside the courtroom, John and his wife of 35 years have made their home in Sacramento for more than three decades, where they raised their four children and remain actively involved in the local community. John has coached competitive youth soccer, co-founded a youth soccer club, co-founded a nonprofit futsal league, and actively supports local school and church initiatives focused on safety and youth development.
Matt Young
Partner, Stralen Young LLP
Matt Young grew up in San Francisco’s Sunset District. He later attended San Jose State University, then Sacramento State University, where he earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice. Matt joined the Sacramento Police Department in 1997, graduating top of his academy class academically and was voted the most outstanding officer by his peers.
He worked various assignments over his 27-year career in law enforcement, including patrol, problem oriented policing, gang suppression unit, public information officer, police academy instructor, etc. Matt personally conducted hundreds of vehicle collision investigations, which has proven invaluable to his clients.
Desiring to also be an attorney, Matt enrolled in the evening program at McGeorge School of Law in 2001, while continuing to work full-time as a patrol officer. He graduated with Distinction in 2005, passing the State bar exam the same year. He worked at several high volume personal injury firms prior to partnering with John Stralen in 2025. Matt has successfully navigated hundreds of personal injury matters to resolution by way of settlement, mediation, arbitration and trial.
“I am committed to providing personalized attention to my clients, ensuring they are well-informed throughout their case, and am always readily available to them.” – Matt
What You Can Expect
Clear, Honest Communication
You’ll always know where your case stands – no legal jargon, no runaround.
Personal, Hands-On Service
You’ll work directly with your attorney, not passed off to an assistant.
Relentless Representation
We fight to win – and we don’t get paid unless you do.