BIOGRAPHYNorris is a civil litigator with a practice emphasis on ERISA litigation. He regularly represents clients in ERISA matters at both the administrative level and in federal court, including short- and long-term disability benefit claims, retirement and pension benefit matters, all levels of health benefit coverage denial claims, life insurance claims, accidental death and dismemberment claims, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and other employee benefit matters. He also regularly handles individual disability income claims and other insurance coverage matters.
Norris is a frequent speaker and lecturer on ERISA and related issues at continuing legal education conferences all over the country. He has also written numerous articles and book chapters for a wide range of professional publications on various ERISA topics. Norris has been recognized as one of Business North Carolina's Legal Elite, Thomson Reuters' North Carolina Super Lawyers and Business Super Lawyers, and U.S. News and World Report's Best Lawyers in America.
Norris’ practice also focuses on appellate advocacy, class actions, labor and employment, and general business litigation. He has successfully tried numerous bench and jury trials, and regularly appears in all state and federal courts, both at the trial court and appellate levels.
Prior to joining Essex Richards almost fifteen years ago, Norris served as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Stephen C. St. John, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia. He likes to think he is Judge St. John's all-time favorite law clerk, but that claim is not only unsubstantiated, but highly doubtful. Before that, he received his juris doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law, where he was a teaching assistant, a member of the Moot Court Executive Board, and received the Order of the Barristers from the faculty upon graduation. Norris received his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Campbell University, where he double majored in Political Science and History, and received the Sarah Virginia Hackney Award of Excellence upon graduation.
Norris is a native Carolinian but grew up all over the east coast and in England for three years. He is an avid sports fan and long-suffering Washington Redskins and Wake Forest Demon Deacons fan. He enjoys playing tennis, basketball, and yelling at TV. His wife, Julie, is also a practicing attorney in Charlotte. Norris and Julie are members of Myers Park United Methodist Church.
EDUCATIONWake Forest University School of Law, Juris Doctorate
• Moot Court (2002-04)
• Moot Court Executive Council (2003-04)
• Student Trial Bar (2001-04)
• Legal Research & Writing Teaching Assistant (2002-03)
• Appellate Advocacy Teaching Assistant (2003-04)
Campbell University, Bachelor of Arts
• Magna Cum Laude
• Sarah Virginia Hackney Award of Excellence (Top graduating student in Government & History majors)
• Trans America Athletic Conference (“TAAC”) All-Conference Academic Team (men’s tennis) (1997-2000)
• Honor Societies: Phi Kappa Phi; Epsilon Pi Eta; Alpha Phi Sigma; Pi Gamma Mu; Alpha Iota Alpha chapter of Phi Alpha Theta; Presidential Scholars
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION- The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits, U.S. News and World Report (2018, 2019, 2020)
- The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – ERISA, U.S. News and World Report (2018, 2019, 2020)
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, ERISA/Employee Benefits, Thomson Reuters (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters (2012, 2013)
- National Business Edition Super Lawyers, ERISA/Employee Benefits, Thomson Reuters (2015)
- North Carolina Legal Elite, Appellate, Business NC (2021)
- North Carolina Legal Elite, Employment Law, Business NC (2019)
- North Carolina Legal Elite, Young Guns/Best Under 40, Business NC (2011, 2012, 2013)
- North Carolina Legal Elite, Construction Law, Business NC (2010, 2011)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated Preeminent
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated Distinguished
- Campbell University Distinguished Political Science Alumnus (2013-14)
- National Order of the Barristers
REPRESENTATIVE WORKFourth Circuit ERISA decisions
- Carroll v. Continental Automotive, Inc., et al., No. 16-1152, 685 Fed. Appx. 272, 2017 U.S. App. LEXIS 7119, 2017 WL 1437212 (4th Cir. Apr. 24, 2017).
- Wilkinson v. Sun Life Health and Ins. Co., 15-2105, 674 Fed. Appx. 294, 2017 U.S. App. LEXIS 201, 2017 WL 56721 (4th Cir. Jan. 5, 2017).
- Cosey v. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., et al., No. 12-2360, 735 F.3d 161, 56 Employee Benefits Cas. (BNA 2997), 2013 U.S. App. LEXIS 22833, 2013 WL 5977151 (4th Cir. Nov. 12, 2013).
- Vincent v. Lucent Technologies, Inc., et al., No. 11-1048, 440 Fed. Appx. 227, 52 Empl. & L. Rel. Law 1927, 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 15601 (4th Cir. July 26, 2011), reh’g denied Aug. 23, 2011.
U.S. District Court ERISA decisions
- E.W., et al. v. IBM Medical and Dental Benefit Plans for Regular Full-Time and Part-Time Employees, No. 5:15-cv-504, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28381 (E.D.N.C. Jan. 18, 2018).
- Washington v. Hartford Life & Accid. Ins. Co., No. 5:16-cv-173, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104741 (E.D.N.C. July 6, 2017).
- E.W., et al. v. IBM Medical and Dental Benefit Plans for Regular Full-Time and Part-Time Employees, No. 5:15-cv-504, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 46377 (E.D.N.C. Mar. 29, 2017).
- E.W., et al. v. IBM Medical and Dental Benefit Plans for Regular Full-Time and Part-Time Employees, No. 5:15-cv-504, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 51946 (E.D.N.C. Feb. 15, 2017).
- West, et al. v. Continental Automotive, Inc., et al., 3:16-cv-502, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 152000 (W.D.N.C. Nov. 11, 2016).
- Carroll v. Continental Automotive, Inc., et al., No. 3:13-cv-693, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10214 (W.D.N.C. Jan. 28, 2016).
- Wilkinson v. Sun Life Health and Ins. Co., 5:13-cv-87, 127 F.Supp.3d 545 (W.D.N.C. Sept. 1, 2015).
- Carroll v. Continental Automotive, Inc., et al., 3:13-cv-693, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 175565 (W.D.N.C. Aug. 31, 2015).
- Patterson v. BB&T Corp. Health Care Plan, et al., No. 1:14-cv-641, ECF Doc. No. 20 (M.D.N.C. Aug. 13, 2014).
- Sizer v. Continental Automotive, Inc., et al., No. 3:10-cv-496, ECF Doc. No. 41 (W.D.N.C. Feb. 4, 2013).
- Cosey v. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., et al., No. 1:11-cv-121, 900 F.Supp.2d 640 (M.D.N.C. Sept. 30, 2012).
- Vincent v. Lucent Technologies, Inc., et al., No. 3:07-cv-240, 733 F.Supp.2d 729 (W.D.N.C. Aug. 24, 2010).
- Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc., et al. v. Brooks Food Group, Inc., et al., No. 3:07-cv-14, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5030 (W.D.N.C. Jan. 18, 2008).
ERISA Class Actions
- West, et al. v. Continental Automotive, Inc., et al., 3:16-cv-502, ECF Doc. No. 45, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 26404 (W.D.N.C February 5, 2018) (final approval).
- West, et al. v. Continental Automotive, Inc., et al., 3:16-cv-502, ECF Doc. No. 45, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 87382 (W.D.N.C June 7, 2017) (class certification).
- Edwards v. Phoebe Putney Health System, Inc. et al, 1:15-cv-75, ECF Doc. No. 34 (M.D. Ga. Aug. 31, 2016) (final approval).
- Cecil, et al. v. Hinshaw, et al., No. 1:15-cv-409, ECF Doc. No. 26 (M.D.N.C. Nov. 25, 2015) (final approval).
Other Sorted State, Federal, and Appellate Decisions
- E.W., et al. v. IBM Medical and Dental Benefit Plans for Regular Full-Time and Part-Time Employees, No. 5:15-cv-504, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 107956 (E.D.N.C. July 11, 2017) (fees).
- Securities and Exchange Commission v. Rex Venture Group, LLC, et al., No. 3:12-cv-519, ECF Doc. No. 462 (W.D.N.C. Dec. 16, 2015) (representing third party NxSystems, Inc.).
- In re Harris Teeter Merger Litig., 2014 N.C.B.C. LEXIS 47 (Sept. 24, 2014) (class action).
- Hatley v. City of Charlotte, No. 3:10-cv-423, ECF Doc. No. 46 (W.D.N.C. July 30, 2012) (fees).
- Hatley v. City of Charlotte, No. 3:10-cv-423, 826 F.Supp.2d 890 (W.D.N.C. Nov. 28, 2011) (summary judgment).
- Vincent v. Lucent Technologies, Inc., et al., No. 3:07-cv-240, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 123780 (W.D.N.C. Oct. 25, 2011) (fees).
- Ross, et al. v. Flo Foods, Inc., et al., No. 3:10-cv-356, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 86382 (W.D.N.C. Aug. 4, 2011) (summary judgment).
- Premier Plastic Surgery Center, et al., v. of Adjust. for the Town of Matthews, et al., No. COA 10-863, 213 N.C. App. 364, 713 S.E.2d 511 (N.C. Ct. App. July 19, 2011) (state appellate).
- Eckstein v. Lowe’s Companies, Inc., et al., No. 5:09-cv-95, ECF Doc. No. 128 (W.D.N.C. Dec. 15, 2010) (class action).
- Marsh v. CBS Media Corp., et al., No. 09-2159, 397 Fed. Appx. 904 (4th Cir. Oct. 7, 2010) (representing third party University Psychological Associates).
- Sloop, et al. v. City of Charlotte, No. 3:10-cv-144, ECF Doc. No. 13 (W.D.N.C. June 10, 2010) (collective action).
- Kaiser-Flores v. Lowe’s Companies, Inc., et al., No. 5:08-cv-45, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28300 (W.D.N.C. Dec. 2, 2009) (class action).
Amicus
- Mole’ v. City of Durham, No. COA 19-683 (N.C. Ct. App. Nov. 14, 2019).
- Warren v. N.C. Dep’t of Crime Control & Pub. Safety, No. COA 18-532 (N.C. Ct. App. Sept. 17, 2019).
- Wetherington v. N.C. Dep’t of Crime Control & Pub. Safety, No. 18-1018 (N.C. Ct. App. Feb. 13, 2019).
- Harris v. N.C. Dep’t of Pub. Safety, et al., No. 110A17, 808 S.E.2d 142 (N.C. Sup. Ct. Dec. 22, 2017).
- Brewington v. N.C. Dep’t of Pub. Safety, et al., No. COA 16-913, 802 S.E.2d 115 (N.C. Ct. App. June 20, 2017).
- C. Dep’t of Pub. Safety v. Ledford, No. 223PA16, 797 S.E.2d 514 (N.C. Sup. Ct. April 4, 2017).
- Tully v. City of Wilmington, No. 348A16, 794 S.E.2d 806 (N.C. Sup. Ct. Jan. 19, 2017).
THOUGHT LEADERSHIPRecent Speaking Engagements
• North Carolina Advocates for Justice Annual Conference: Managing Client Expectations, My Greatest Successes, Sunset Beach, North Carolina (June 19, 2017).
• Mecklenburg County Bar, Appellate Advocacy: Winning Your Case through Persuasive Writing, Charlotte, North Carolina (March 15, 2016).
• American Conference Institute’s 18th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims (Contractual Limitations Periods in the Post-Heimeshoff Era), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (January 21-22, 2016).
• American Conference Institute’s 17th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims (Vocational Issues in Disability Claims), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (January 22-23, 2015).
• American Conference Institute’s 7th National Forum on ERISA Litigation (Selected Issues in Benefit Claims Litigation), Chicago, Illinois (April 28-29, 2014).
• North Carolina Advocates for Justice Continuing Legal Education, Disbursements 2014: Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Just the Messenger (ERISA Liens), Greensboro, North Carolina (February 28, 2014).
• North Carolina Advocates for Justice Continuing Legal Education, Disbursements 2014: Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Just the Messenger (ERISA Liens), Raleigh, North Carolina (January 24, 2014).
• American Conference Institute’s 6th National Forum on ERISA Litigation (Accidental Death & Dismemberment Claims), New York, New York (October 25-26, 2013).
• American Conference Institute’s 5th National Forum on ERISA Litigation (Plaintiff’s Perspective on Selected ERISA Benefit Claim Issues), New York, New York (October 29-30, 2012).
Recent Publications
• Contractual Limitations Periods in the Post-Heimeshoff Era: Case Law Update 2014-2016, ACI 18th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims (January 21, 2016).
• Inside the Minds: Protecting Retirees Health Care Benefits: Leading Lawyers on Negotiating Costs, Preventing Discrimination, and Ensuring Quality Medical Coverage, Thomson Reuters Aspatore Books (published August 2015).
• Vocational Issues in Disability Claims: Case Law Update 2014-2015, ACI 17th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims (January 22, 2015).
• Supreme Court Ruling Limits Lawsuits Over Benefits, Charlotte Business Journal (May 23, 2014).
• New Supreme Court Ruling Affects Statute of Limitations in ERISA Employee Benefit Claims, Lawyers Mutual Risk Perspective (January 22, 2014).
• New Supreme Court Ruling Affects Statute of Limitations in ERISA Employee Benefit Claims, NCAJ Practice Alert (December 19, 2013).
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policies: Case Law update 2012-2013, American Conference Institute’s 6th National Forum on ERISA Litigation (October 25, 2013).
• Challenging the Reliability and Import of Independent Medical Reviews in the Wake of Glenn v. MetLife, ABA Tort & Trial Insurance Practice (Fall 2009 Issue).
• Hang Up And Drive, Or Pay the Price, Charlotte Observer (February 19, 2009).
ASSOCIATIONS & ADMISSIONSBar Admissions
- United States Court of Federal Claims (2019)
- North Carolina (2004)
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court
- Western District of North Carolina (2004)
- Middle District of North Carolina (2006)
- Eastern District of North Carolina (2006)
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court
- Western District of North Carolina (2006)
- Middle District of North Carolina (2006)
- Eastern District of North Carolina (2006)
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Mecklenburg County Bar
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- Mecklenburg County Trial Lawyers Association
- Justice Bobbitt Inn of Court