Debra B. Norris, P. C.

  110 Almeda Rd. #8039
  Houston, Texas 77288
  Mailing address: P. O. Box 8039, Houston, TX 77288
  Telephone: 713.858.0359 , 24 Hour Messaging Service: 281.820.8709
  Email: dbn@DebraNorris.com

 
 

Debra B. Norris, P.C., Attorney at Law, combines her engineering and legal backgrounds in a technically-oriented law practice. An electrical engineer, Debra spent ten years building plants for the oil, gas, and chemical industries. Debra earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, magna cum laude, from Louisiana Tech University and a B.A. in Physics, cum laude, from Centenary College in 1984. She obtained her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1998, receiving the Dean's Achievement Award in Evidence.

Debra now represents individuals and corporations in a variety of legal matters, with special focus on construction law. Ms. Norris represents owners, suppliers, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in the construction industry. Resume (PDF)

Ms. Norris has taught "Construction Law" in the graduate school of civil and environmental engineering in the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston since 2005 and is a frequent speaker on legal issues related to the construction industry.

Ms. Norris is licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas and the Southern District of Texas. With a ten-year background as an engineer, Debra is available as an arbitrator in a variety of technical disputes.

Debra Bourn Norris has been recognized as a Top Houston Lawyer in construction law by "H Texas" magazine in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020:  article (PDF).

Debra was featured on "America's Premier Lawyers" series on CNN's Airport TV network in 2009:  article (PDF), video (Quicktime)

Memberships:

Ms. Norris is a member of The College of the State Bar, an honor society chartered in 1981 by the Supreme Court of Texas, and maintains memberships in the following organizations:
  • Houston Bar Association: Construction Law, Litigation, and Real Estate Law Sections
  • State Bar of Texas: Construction Law and Litigation Sections
  • American Bar Association: Construction Industry Forum and Dispute Resolution Section. In 2012, she received a scholarship to the inaugural ABA Construction Trial Academy in Washington, D.C. article (PDF).
  • Society of Women Engineers, Houston: past-president, 1990-91, and representative, on the Engineers Week Committee. Debra B. Norris, Esq. is featured on page 2 of the October 2004 newsletter (MSWord doc).
  • Associated Builders and Contractors, Greater Houston Chapter: PAC Trustee, Legal Issues, and Commercial and Industrial Contractors Committees.
  • Associated General Contractors Houston Chapter, Government Affairs Committee.
  • American Subcontractors Association Houston Chapter: Associate Member and Government Advocacy Committees.
  • Houston Contractors Association, PAC Committee.
  • Defense Research Institute, Construction Law Committee
  • Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities, University of Texas School of Law, 1997
  • Outstanding Young Women of America, 1985
Speaking Engagements:

  • "Examining Contract Terminology" , American Institute of Architects: Contract Document Workshop (Continuing Education Series), October 16, 2019. Houston, TX, USA

  • "Work Flow and Progress of Litigation for Experts, Part II" , Forensic Expert Witness Association, August 15, 2019. Houston, TX, USA

  • "Examining Contract Terminology"(MS Word), American Institute of Architects: Contract Document Workshop, July 31, 2019. Houston, TX, USA

  • "Work Flow and Progress of Litigation", Houston Corporate Paralegal Association (CLE Luncheon), Wednesday, July 10, 2019. Houston, TX, USA

  • "Work Flow and Progress of Litigation for Experts, Part I" , Forensic Expert Witness Association, April 18, 2019. Houston, TX, USA

  • "Ethics for Experts", Forensic Expert Witness Association, April 19, 2018.

  • Engineering Professional Development, Houston, TX, Engineering Professional Liability & Ethics, 2009. Program (PDF)
  • Associated Builders and Contractors, Greater Houston Chapter, Contract Language & Negotiations, Legal Seminar, 2006-08; Lien and Bond Claims, Legal Seminar, 2012 to Present.
  • Construction Expo, Houston, TX, The Do's and Don'ts of Construction Contracts, 2007, and Payment Clauses, 2009. www.constructionexpo.com
  • Legal Issues for Texas Architects and Landscape Architects, Houston, TX, Reviewing Contracts for Design Services, 2009. www.halfmoonseminars.com
  • Legal Issues in Texas State and Federal Construction Projects, Houston, TX, Contingent Payment Clauses, 2008.
  • Minimizing Engineering Liability Exposure, Houston, TX, Understanding Texas Liability Law, 2008.
  • Legal Issues for Texas Civil Engineers, Houston, Civil Engineering Liability, 2007 to Present. Brochure (PDF).
  • University of Texas Continuing Legal Education Construction Law Conference, Rights and Remedies Involving Inspections Including Third Party Inspections, 2007. Program (PDF)
  • Texas Product Liability Law for Engineers, Houston, TX, Product Manufacturer's Liability in a Construction Case, 2007. Brochure (PDF).
  • National Association of Women in Construction, Houston Chapter, Engineering Errors, 2006.
  • National Association of Women in Construction, Houston Chapter, Engineering Errors, 2006.
  • American Institute of Architects (AIA), Houston, Ethical Considerations for Architects and Lawyers and The Professional Liability of Architects. 2005 & 2006. Announcement (MSWord doc).
  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Houston Area, Professional Development Conference, 2005 & 2007.     Announcement (PDF)
  • Sinopec, Legal Aspects of Surveying, 2005. Schedule (MSWord doc).
  • Lecturer, Legal Aspects of Construction and Legal Aspects of Surveying, University of Houston, College of Engineering Technology, Construction Management Technology program, Spring & Fall 2005 - 10.
  • Adjunct Professor of Construction Law,  University of Houston, Cullen College of Engineering, Graduate School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Summer 2005 to Present. 
  • Ms. Norris was the featured speaker at the Engineering Leadership Forum    2004-2005 Leadership Series - Session III. Her talk for ASCE, ASME, HESS, SAME, SWE and TSPE was entitled The Professional Liability of Architects and Engineers. 2004.    Announcement (PDF)
  • University of Houston, An Engineer's Duty to Protect the Public, Engineering Ethics program, 2004.
Publications:

  • Houston Business Journal, Management Training for Engineers Leads to Greater Versatility, 2005.
  • Construction News, Preserving Electronic Data in Construction Litigation, 2007. Article (PDF)
  • Construction News, Can You Rely on Your Building Permit?, 2007. Article (PDF)
  • Construction News, Risks of Construction Loans, 2007. Article (PDF)
  • Construction News, Indemnity versus Release, 2007. Article (PDF)
Community Activities:

  • Texas Women Fly Fishers and Texas Fly Fishers of Houston

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If you would like to discuss legal representation, you may request a consultation by e-mail or call our office.