Norman J. Watkins
Founder
Overview
Mr. Watkins has tried over 125 cases to jury verdict in California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas and Arizona. These trials have involved a wide variety of claims, including general torts, civil rights, police liability, trucking, insurance Bad Faith Litigation, and a variety of employment harassment and discrimination suits.
Mr. Watkins’ trial experience includes many high-profile matters such as, Cohen v. Masry; Foley v. City of Coronado; Anderson, et al. v. County of Orange; and has taken several cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, Mr. Watkins successfully defended the Orange County District Attorney in a series of high-profile whistleblower cases. See, Jacobs v County of Orange, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 02CC01476; Jacobs v. County of Orange, United States District Court, Case No.SACV 01-677 GLT; OCAA v. County of Orange, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 02CC05089; and, Smith v. County of Orange. Most recently, Mr. Watkins successfully obtained a defense verdict for the Sheriff of Orange County following a lengthy bench trial in the matter of Anderson v. County of Orange, Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2010-00376368. The Anderson matter involved claims by top officials in the Sheriff’s Department that they were wrongfully terminated under the Public Safety Officers Bill of Rights (POBRA).
Mr. Watkins has argued on over 50 appeals in state and federal courts on behalf of public entities. He has obtained many published opinions concerning important principles of law, including five appearances before the United States Supreme Court. See, Pennhurst State School and Hospital v. Halderman, 451 U.S. 1 (1981); O’Bannon v. Town Court Nursing Center, 447 U.S. 773 (1980); Secretary of Public Welfare, 442 U.S. 640 (1979); Beal v. Doe, 432 U.S. 439 (1977); Kremens v. Bartley, 431 U.S. 119 (1977).
When not working, Mr. Watkins enjoys fitness, watching football, golf, and studying American History.
General
Practice Areas
- – Appellate Practice
- – Civil Rights
- – Labor and Employment
- – General Torts
- – Police Liability Defense
- – Premises Liability
- – Product Liability Defense
- – Public Entity Defense
- – Toxic Substance Exposure Defense
- – Transportation and Trucking
Education
Legal
- – Juris Doctor
- – University of Pittsburgh
- – 1971
Undergraduate
- – B.A., Major in History
- – Texas Christian University and Lycoming College
- – 1967
Professional
Bar Affiliations
- – State Bar of California
- – State Bar of Pennsylvania
- – The United States Supreme Court
- – United States Court of Appeal for the Third Circuit
- – United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit
- – United States District Court for the District of California
Professional Affiliations
- – The Pennsylvania Bar Association
- – The California Bar Association
- – The Orange County Bar Association
- – Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
- – The American Bar Association
- – ABOTA – Rank : “Diplomate”
- – International Association of Defense Counsel
Publications
- – “Kremens v. Bartley, The Case for the State”, 27 Hospital and Community Psychiatry 706
- – “Defending Multi-Plaintiff Toxic Tort Cases”, 26 For the Defense 12
- – “Voire Dire: The Defense Perspective”, Advocate (Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles publication)
- – “An approach to Cross-Examination of an Expert”, For the Defense (Defense Research Institute publication)
- – “Negotiation the Complex Case”, For the Defense (Defense Research Institute publication)
Notable
Awards
- – Super Lawyer, 2011
- – Individually AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Activities
- – NITA Trial Academy – Judge
- – ABOTA Trial Academy – Judge