Samantha C. Norris

I believe strongly that the best legal advice takes into account the unique nature of each client's business and ultimate goals. Having been where my clients are, whether it's as in-house counsel or the leader of a business unit, I put myself in their shoes and give balanced, nuanced, and practical advice. I've been fortunate to have had a wide range of legal and business experiences upon which I draw to give my clients advice they understand and can use.

Through serving as the General Counsel of the Iowa Utilities Board, in-house counsel for a large investor-owned utility, and as outside counsel for various types of utilities and private developers, I've developed deep expertise on a wide range of energy and utility matters. Specifically, I've worked on rate cases, generation facility siting dockets, reorganizations, acquisitions and divestitures, service territory modifications and disputes, customer complaints, pipeline siting, transmission line siting, tariffs, rulemakings, legislation, power purchase agreements and wholesale power agreements, compliance issues, real estate and right of way transactions, and federal and regional rate, service, and policy matters, among others.

My Approach

I view clients' legal issues through a unique lens, having worked in-house in both legal and business roles and as General Counsel of the Iowa Utilities Board. I'm keenly aware of the various internal and external pressures faced by clients and work to provide quick, actionable advice to relieve those pressures. I love tackling the most complicated and contentious issues and relish finding a path forward to achieve my clients' goals.

More About Me

In 2001, I received a J.D. from the Northwestern University School of Law and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001 (inactive) and the Iowa bar in 2007.  I obtained my B.A. in Economics, with distinction, from the University of Iowa in 1998.  In 2016, I received my MBA from the University of Iowa. I'm currently a member of the Polk County, Iowa State and Energy Bar Associations. I also serve as Co-Chair of the firm's Energy, Environment and Natural Resources practice group. 

My Specialties

• Energy Law
• Renewable Energy Law (wind, solar, renewable natural gas)
• Water Law
• Administrative/Regulatory Law
• Utility Law