Practice Areas

Gravel and Shea

nwilliams@gravelshea.com

Norman Williams joined the firm in 1981. In a significant antitrust matter, Mr. Williams, along with Mr. Hemley of the firm, represented a Vermont business in an action against Browning-Ferris Industries which resulted in an award of more than $6 million, the largest jury award in Vermont history. The award was upheld by both the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court. Mr. Williams also took on the State of Vermont over unconstitutional taxes in two cases that went to the United States Supreme Court, the Vermont Supreme Court, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals over the course of 15 years. The state eventually refunded more than $4 million in unconstitutional taxes to thousands of state residents. Mr. Williams has obtained several other verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million. He has successfully defended securities and antitrust litigation, and he has represented creditors in a number of complex bankruptcy matters.

Education

• Yale University, J.D. 1979
• University of Colorado, B.A. 1974, magna cum laude; Member, Phi Beta Kappa

Affiliations

• Member, Chittenden County, Vermont and American
• Bar Associations, Litigation Section.

Selected Reported Cases

Kelco Disposal Inc. v. Browning-Ferris Industries, 492 US 257 (1989); Williams v. Vermont, 472 U.S. 14 (1985); Savoie v. Merchants Bank, 166 F.3d 456 (2d Cir. 1999); Bixler v. Bullard, 769 A.2d 690 (Vt. 2001); Barringer v. Griffes, 1 F.3d 1331 (2d Cir. 1993)

Personal Interests

Mr. Williams is a published author and has received several national literary awards. He lives with his wife and two children in Burlington, Vermont.