Adams and Reese attorney and Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) was elected Chairman of the national Council of State Governments (CSG) at the group’s 80th annual meeting last weekend in Kansas City, Missouri. CSG is a bipartisan professional association serving all three branches of government in 50 states and Puerto Rico. International affiliates include the Provincial and Federal governments of Canada.
Norris is the first Tennessean elected to the national leadership post.
“It is an honor to lead this organization and continue the tremendous work that it has done throughout the United States and North America,” said Norris, who will begin the new post in December. “CSG offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships. I look forward to working with my colleagues in finding new solutions to the many challenges we face.”
Founded in 1933, CSG champions excellence in state government. CSG’s region-based forum fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy as states' advocates within our federal system of government. The organization is based in Lexington, Kentucky and also has an office in Washington, DC. It has regional offices in Atlanta, New York City, Chicago and Sacramento. Norris served as Chairman of the Southern Region in 2010-2011.
Norris represents the 32nd Senate District in Shelby and Tipton Counties. Norris has served in the Tennessee Senate since 2000 and as Senate Majority Leader since 2007.
At Adams and Reese, Norris has practiced law since 1980 and is Special Counsel with the firm in the Memphis and Nashville offices. Norris has a diverse civil litigation and business practice.
This year, Norris was appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam to the Tennessee Workforce Development Board, which fosters a competitive economic environment through an innovative and collaborative workforce development system involving public and private sectors, while promoting Tennessee as a place where people choose to live and work.
In June, Norris received the “Guardian of Small Business” award from the National Federation of Independent Business, Tennessee’s leading small business association. The NFIB recognized Norris for his stellar leadership on key reform efforts and the state budget.