Norton & Wood was founded originally as Norton Burgess by Fred R. Norton, Jr. and Ralph K. Burgess on January 1, 1999. Marshall C. Wood joined the firm shortly thereafter. The firm’s name changed to Norton & Wood on February 21, 2003, when Governor Rick Perry appointed Ralph to the bench of Texas’ 5th Judicial District Court, serving Bowie and Cass counties.

The Norton, Burgess and Wood families grew up together in Texarkana, so the alliance of Fred, Ralph and Marshall in the practice of law, though not necessarily predictable, was not a surprise. The lessons of integrity, hard work, family values and commitment to community taught in Texarkana public schools, at church and at home are the cornerstones upon which Fred and Ralph established the law firm that Fred and Marshall lead today.

We proudly describe our partnership as “a small town law firm with a big city practice.” Recognized with Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer-review rating of “AV,” we have built a regional reputation and retained a prestigious and diverse client list--from multi-national corporations to privately-owned concerns. Our attorneys, licensed in Texas and in Arkansas, have the collective expertise and resources to offer most, if not all, of the legal services required by business owners and their families.

Chief among the practice areas where representatives from our firm are involved include these transactional and litigation services:

Tax Planning, Tax Controversy, Business Organizations, Trusts and Estates, Probate and Estate Administration, Wealth Preservation, Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Elder Law, Complex Business Litigation, Insurance Defense, Civil Defense, Medical Malpractice Defense, Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation.

In those areas where we choose not to practice, we maintain strategic alliances with specialists across the United States and in other countries whom we regard to be outstanding in their fields. These specialists are available to us and our clients at a moment’s notice, and we select the right lawyer for the specific opportunity or problem to provide the client with effective results.