Trenton Norris

Trent Norris is one of the foremost consumer product attorneys in the country and co-leader of the firm’s Consumer Products and Retail Sector. His litigation and counseling practice involves some of the most significant challenges for manufacturers and retailers of everyday products and services.

Mr. Norris litigates complex scientific and technical disputes involving consumer protection, advertising, environmental, product safety, and food and drug law, with a particular emphasis on the unique requirements of California law. His more than 25 years of experience with regulators, prosecutors, activists, bountyhunters, and plaintiffs lawyers also provide clients with practical perspectives on litigation avoidance.

His practice involves diverse products, technologies, and industries, including foods, beverages, dietary supplements, cosmetics, hospitality, medical devices, electronics, vehicles, drugs, and agriculture. He often represents trade associations and joint defense groups in strategic counseling, litigation, and representation before regulatory agencies.

Mr. Norris has represented over two dozen consumer product companies regarding claims that their products contain non-functional slack fill.  He has been involved in more than one successful effort to lower the burdens on businesses of the California slack fill law.

Common issues in Mr. Norris’s cases include preemption, commercial speech, interstate commerce, citizen enforcement, jurisdiction, and class action requirements. Common opponents include activist and environmental groups, the California Attorney General, California District Attorneys, and plaintiffs' lawyers.

Mr. Norris has advised and defended hundreds of companies regarding California's unique toxics and labeling law, Proposition 65, and California's expansive consumer protection laws. Chambers USA (2012) notes that he "is renowned as one of the region's leading experts in toxic tort and Proposition 65 matters. Clients particularly laud his ability to focus on the issues at the core of the problems they take him."

Mr. Norris is registered as a lobbyist before the California Environmental Protection Agency and its sub-agencies. He served as a legislative aide to a US Senator and as an Editor of the Harvard Law Review.