Hogan Lovells 2024 Election Impact and Congressional Outlook Report
Trenton H. Norris
Partner Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment
Languages
English
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Trent Norris guides manufacturers and retailers of everyday products and services through their toughest challenges. In his litigation, counseling, and government advocacy practice, Trent resolves scientific and technical disputes involving consumer protection, advertising, environmental, and food and drug law, with an emphasis on the unique requirements of California law.
He brings over 30 years’ experience with regulators, prosecutors, activists, bounty hunters, and plaintiffs’ lawyers to defend clients and provide practical perspectives on litigation avoidance. Trent’s practice involves diverse products, technologies, and industries, such as food, beverages, dietary supplements, cosmetics, hospitality, medical devices, electronics, vehicles, drugs, and agriculture. He defends against consumer class actions, involving allegations of greenwashing, non-functional slack fill, failure to disclose chemicals, mislabeling, and violations of consumer product regulations. And he regularly represents trade associations and joint defense groups in strategic counseling, advocacy before regulatory agencies, and challenges to agency actions. Trent has also advised and defended over a thousand companies regarding California's unique toxics and labeling law, Proposition 65, and California's expansive consumer protection laws.
Trent argues before the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, and the Ninth Circuit, often facing activist and environmental groups, the California Attorney General, California District Attorneys, and plaintiffs' lawyers. Bringing notable appellate experience, he can handle issues that go beyond the trial court level, such as preemption, commercial speech, interstate commerce, citizen enforcement, jurisdiction, and class action requirements.
Trent is a registered lobbyist before the California Environmental Protection Agency and its sub-agencies. He served as a legislative aide to a U.S. senator and as an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
Representative experience
Advise consumer product companies and trade associations regarding Extended Producer Responsibility programs in California (SB54 and SB343) and other states, including preparing regulatory comments.
Defended hundreds of food and dietary supplement companies against claims that their products require Proposition 65 warnings for lead, cadmium, mercury, furan, BPA, acrylamide, and other chemicals.
Defended over a dozen manufacturers of foods, cosmetics, OTC drugs, and supplements concerning slack fill allegations by California District Attorneys and consumer class action attorneys.
Advised manufacturers, retailers, and a trade association concerning California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, and California Department of Pesticide Regulation proceedings.*
Defended several dozen personal care companies against claims that Proposition 65 warnings are required for chemicals such as formaldehyde, titanium dioxide, benzophenone, and diethanolamine.
Advised and defended over a dozen food and personal care product manufacturers regarding allegations of PFAS in packaging and products.
Represented the Personal Care Products Council in obtaining a preliminary injunction against Proposition 65 warnings for titanium dioxide in cosmetics on First Amendment grounds.
Represented the California Chamber of Commerce in obtaining a preliminary injunction against Proposition 65 warnings for acrylamide in food on First Amendment grounds.
Represented a major agrochemical company in obtaining permanent injunction against Proposition 65 warnings for glyphosate on First Amendment grounds.
Represented the California Chamber of Commerce and Farm Bureau Federation in successfully defending regulatory standard for lead against activist group challenge.**
Defended several businesses against California District Attorney claims of unlawful disposal of consumer products that California alone considers to be hazardous waste.
Defended several consumer product manufacturers and retailers against challenges to “green” advertising claims (e.g., natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly).
Advised and defended multiple online services companies regarding subscription programs, including auto-renewal and termination fees.
Defended several consumer product manufacturers regarding alleged violations of California Air Resources Board (CARB) volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations.
Advised over a dozen companies regarding compliance with the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act and other corporate social responsibility initiatives.**
Advised numerous consumer product companies and two trade associations regarding California, Washington, and Maine green chemistry programs.**
*Matter handled prior to joining Hogan Lovells.
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, 1992
- B.A., Brown University, magna cum laude, 1986
Bar admissions and qualifications
- California
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
Court admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
Memberships
- Member, Bar Association of San Francisco
- Member, Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Recognition
News
Awards & rankings
28 August 2024
Press releases
13 April 2023
Events
Hogan Lovells Events
5 December 2024 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Sponsorships and Speaking Engagements
25-26 September 2024 | 2:40 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (EST)