Overview

Constance E. Norton is a senior advisor to in-house legal and human resources teams. As a litigator for nearly 35 years, Constance’s practice focuses on counseling management on strategies and developing policies designed to minimize exposure to individual employee, class and PAGA lawsuits. When a lawsuit or arbitration is initiated, Constance defends employers against claims involving wage and hour violations, employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation, whistleblowing and employee theft of trade secrets.

Constance invests the time to understand her clients’ businesses and to keep them apprised of relevant changes in the law to avoid litigation. When a company is sued, she provides an aggressive defense while minimizing the disruption to her clients’ businesses and keeping an eye on a cost effective resolution. She prides herself on her ability to synthesize legal issues for human resources directors and in-house counsel which allows them to communicate the cost savings benefits of legal compliance with their internal business partners.

Constance has extensive experience defending employers in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, including the California Civil Rights Division and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She also has broad experience representing companies in mediation and other alternative dispute resolution processes.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member, Board of Directors

Bar Association of San Francisco

January 2023-present

Member

Litigation / Labor and Employment Sections

State Bar of California

Member

Bar Association of San Francisco

Consumer Advocate

CDMRP Breast Cancer Research Program Peer Review Grants

2007-present

Member, Board of Directors

Littler Mendelson, PC

January 2021-December 2023

Member, Board of Directors

Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco

January 2020-December 2022

Chair, Vice Chair and Member, Board of Directors

The Shanti Project

2012-2018

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2025

Speaking Engagements

The Demise of On-Call Shifts? New York, San Francisco & Beyond

June 18, 2015

All-City 2012

Vistage International, San Francisco, CA

May 16, 2012

Northern California Employment Law Breakfast Briefing - San Francisco, CA

October 1, 2010

Education

  • J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, 1989With Highest Honors
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1983

Bar Admission

California

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California