Stephen E. Norris

Partner

Los Angeles

snorris@horvitzlevy.com 818.995.0800

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Property owners and developers seeking to overturn multi-million dollar awards in favor of contractors and their employees, look to Stephen (Steve) Norris for his broad-ranging experience and extensive capabilities in defending against premises liability claims.

Many of the premises liability cases in which Steve has appeared involving the Privette doctrine have resulted in published decisions by the California Supreme Court and the California Court of Appeal imposing significant limitations on premises liability claims. Steve is also sought after for his trial strategy and appellate abilities in a wide range of matters, including catastrophic personal injuries, products liability, medical malpractice, insurance bad faith, insurance coverage, real estate, First Amendment, and intellectual property matters.

Steve is a partner at the firm, where he has been practicing since 1990. Steve has been lead appellate counsel on numerous cases before the California Supreme Court, California Court of Appeal, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Prior to joining the firm, Steve was a Litigation Associate with Cooper, Epstein & Hurewitz and Mitchell, Lurie & DeMarco, and a Judicial Staff Attorney for the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District.

Representative Matters

Collins v. Diamond Generating Corporation (2024)

California Court of Appeal reverses $104 million wrongful death judgment based on trial court’s refusal to instruct jury on the Privette doctrine.

Montes v. YMCA of Glendale, California (2022)

California Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment, holding Horvitz & Levy’s client had no duty to remedy an open and obvious danger.

Sandoval v. Qualcomm (2021)

California Supreme Court reaffirms Privette doctrine, overturning $3.7 million jury verdict and directing changes to model jury instructions

Reynoso/Lozano v. AWI Management (2021)

Court of Appeal affirms order dismissing wrongful death/personal injury action

Castro v. ABC Studios, Inc. (2020)

Court of Appeal affirms nonsuit in personal injury action against television studio

Barton v. The Argen Corporation (2019)

California Court of Appeal affirms judgment of dismissal in products liability action against supplier of dental alloys

Zapata v. The Superior Court (2019)

California Court of Appeal issues order in response to writ petition, causing trial court to vacate order denying defendant's motion to quash service of the complaint.

Steele v. Bell-Carter Foods (2019)

California Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment in products liability and warranty action against olive producer.

Stokes v. Muschinske (2019)

Court of Appeal affirms favorable judgment and holds that defense billing experts can use Medicare reimbursement rates to form their opinions on the reasonable value of medical services.

Johnson v. The Raytheon Co. (2019)

California Court of Appeal issues published opinion affirming summary judgment in premises liability action.

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. v. Heller (2016)

California Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment for insurer in rescission action

Lozano v. AWI Management Corporation (2016)

California Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment that found apartment manager not liable for shooting rampage

Bison Builders Inc. v. ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation (2012)

California Court of Appeal holds that elevator company is not required to indemnify general contractor for construction accident.

Garcia v. ConMed Corporation (2012)

California Court of Appeal affirms judgment in favor of medical device manufacturer in products liability action.

Seabright Insurance Company v. US Airways, Inc. (2011)

California Supreme Court limits recovery by contractors’ employees for injuries arising from alleged violations of Cal-OSHA regulations.

Cuviello v. City of Oakland (2011)

Ninth Circuit affirms injunction, finding that restrictions on protests at Oracle Arena are consistent with the First Amendment.

Tverberg v. Filner Construction, Inc. (2010)

California Supreme Court limits scope of hirer liability to self-employed contractors.

Kinsman v. Unocal Corp. (2005)

California Supreme Court limits landowners’ liability to contractors’ employees.

Credentials

Education

University of San Francisco School of Law
J.D., 1982
Princeton University
B.A., cum laude, 1979

Clerkships

Hon. Joseph A. Rattigan, California Court of Appeal

Bar Admissions

California
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Professional Associations

Awards

CLAY award (California Lawyer Attorney of the Year) (2022)
Super Lawyers (2014-2018, 2022-2025)

Publications

Drive Responsibly (Sept. 2017) Los Angeles Lawyer
Finding a Taking: Standards for Fairness (1982) 16 U.S.F. L. Rev. 743

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