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About Us

Dean Young and Associates, is a people oriented law firm. We treasure the opportunity to walk alongside our clients, whether it be carefully planning for their futures, with thoughtful estate and business planning, or supporting them as they navigate the loss of a loved one, with compassionate and efficient probate administration. Our attorneys specialize in the practice areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, guardianships, real estate law, and small business matters.

Core Values

Compassion

Trust

Stewardship

Learning

Community

Providing quality service with compassion.

Call us to be your trusted advisors in whatever life brings!

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Years of Law Experience

Counties Served

Our Team

Dean A. Young, Senior Attorney
Dean Young is the founding member of Dean Young & Associates, LLC, in Akron, Ohio. He earned his B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) from Malone College in 1974, and a J.D. (Cum Laude) from the Ohio State University College of Law in 1977 (and was admitted to practice that year). His practice includes civil litigation, wills, trusts, trust administration, and probate administration. He has argued the following cases before the Ohio Supreme Court: Cole v. Holland (1996), 76 Ohio St.3d 220; Wright v. Bloom (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 596; and Springfield Local Board of Education v. Summit County Board of Revision (1994), 68 Ohio St.3d 493.

Dean has been an active member of the Summit County Trial Lawyers Association (former president for two terms), the Association for Justice (formerly serving as Trustee), and National Association of Consumer Advocates. He has frequently served as a seminar speaker, including presentations to the Ohio Association for Justice, the Akron Bar Association, and National Association of Consumer Advocates. Dean is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and Akron Bar Association.

Dean also served as a Trustee of Springfield Township for fourteen years, where he was a passionate advocate for the development of township parks as well as community use of the lakefront at Springfield Lake.

Emma Stanec Destefano, Attorney

Emma Stanec Destefano has been an attorney at Dean Young & Associates since she was admitted to practice in May 2024. She began her legal work at the firm as a law clerk and legal intern from February 2022 to May 2024. Emma received her B.A. in Sociology from The University of Akron in 2020, Summa Cum Laude. She received her J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law in 2024, Magna Cum Laude.

Emma focuses her practice on estate planning, probate administration, and real estate transactions. She is driven to help clients find peace of mind through careful planning and thoughtful service.

In her free time, Emma enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and golfing, and spending time with her husband, two cats, and dog, Evelyn.

Professional Memberships: Akron Bar Association (Probate Section, Ohio State Bar Association (Young Lawyer Section Committee Member, Probate Section Member), Estate Planning Discussion Group.

Dean A. Young, Senior Attorney
Dean Young is the founding member of Dean Young & Associates, LLC, in Akron, Ohio. He earned his B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) from Malone College in 1974, and a J.D. (Cum Laude) from the Ohio State University College of Law in 1977 (and was admitted to practice that year). His practice includes civil litigation, wills, trusts, trust administration, and probate administration. He has argued the following cases before the Ohio Supreme Court: Cole v. Holland (1996), 76 Ohio St.3d 220; Wright v. Bloom (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 596; and Springfield Local Board of Education v. Summit County Board of Revision (1994), 68 Ohio St.3d 493.

Dean has been an active member of the Summit County Trial Lawyers Association (former president for two terms), the Association for Justice (formerly serving as Trustee), and National Association of Consumer Advocates. He has frequently served as a seminar speaker, including presentations to the Ohio Association for Justice, the Akron Bar Association, and National Association of Consumer Advocates. Dean is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and Akron Bar Association.

Dean also served as a Trustee of Springfield Township for fourteen years, where he was a passionate advocate for the development of township parks as well as community use of the lakefront at Springfield Lake.

Emma Stanec Destefano, Attorney

Emma Stanec Destefano has been an attorney at Dean Young & Associates since she was admitted to practice in May 2024. She began her legal work at the firm as a law clerk and legal intern from February 2022 to May 2024. Emma received her B.A. in Sociology from The University of Akron in 2020, Summa Cum Laude. She received her J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law in 2024, Magna Cum Laude.

Emma focuses her practice on estate planning, probate administration, and real estate transactions. She is driven to help clients find peace of mind through careful planning and thoughtful service.

In her free time, Emma enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and golfing, and spending time with her husband, two cats, and dog, Evelyn.

Professional Memberships: Akron Bar Association (Probate Section, Ohio State Bar Association (Young Lawyer Section Committee Member, Probate Section Member), Estate Planning Discussion Group.