Stephen E. Norris
Partner - Los Angeles Office
How Stephen Helps Clients
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
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.
Castro v. ABC Studios, Inc. (2019)
Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment in favor of our client, ABC Studios, in action by contractor’s employee for work-related injuries.
Barton v. Argen Corp. (2019)
California Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment in favor of our client in products liability action.
Johnson v. Raytheon Co. (2019)
California Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment in favor of our client in action by contractor's employee for work-related injuries.
Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. v. Heller (2016)
California Court of Appeal affirmed summary adjudication on behalf of client, FFIC, on its claim for rescission of policy based on insured’s fraud and remanded for trial on restitution claim of $5 million paid for underlying settlement and attorney fees.
Lozano v. AWI Management Corp.(2016)
California Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment in favor of our client, an apartment management company sued by survivors of victims of apartment shooting.
Morlin Asset Management v. Murachanian (2016)
California Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment in favor of dentist in indemnity cross-action brought by landlord, our client.
Glenn v. Radiant Services (2013)
California Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment in favor of our client, a company sued by contractor for work-related injuries.
SeaBright Ins. Co. v. US Airways, Inc. (2011)
California Supreme Court affirmed summary judgment based on Privette doctrine [H&L filed amicus brief].
Tverberg v. Fillner Construction, Inc. (2010)
California Supreme Court limited scope of hirer liability to self-employed contractors.
Padilla v. Pomona College (2008)
California Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment in favor of a college in lawsuit by worker injured during remodel of a dormitory.
Kinsman v. Unocal Corp. (2005)
California Supreme Court reversed $3.7 million judgment in asbestos exposure case.
Uhrich v. American Home Assurance Co. (2004)
California Court of Appeal reversed $6.5 million judgment in insurance coverage dispute.
Children’s School v. Folgner (1999)
California Court of Appeal reversed $5 million judgment in real estate dispute.
Toland v. Sunland Housing Group, Inc. (1998)
California Supreme Court ruled in favor of defendant developer and general contractor, who prevailed before the Supreme Court in a case limiting liability of hiring parties for injuries to contractors’ employees [H&L filed amicus brief].
Partnership Placements v. Landmark Ins. Co. (1996)
California Court of Appeal reversed $12 million judgment against our clients in bad faith case.
McLaughlin v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. (1994)
California Court of Appeal reversed $49 million judgment in bad faith case.
Slottow v. American Cas. Co. (1993)
Ninth Circuit reversed $12 million judgment in insurance coverage dispute.
Center Foundation v. Chicago Ins. Co. (1991)
California Court of Appeal reversed $2 million judgment in breach of contract claim.
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
