WALNUT CREEK, CALIF., March 20, 2007 – Archer Norris, a leading California law firm with a focus on complex litigation and business transactions, elected Lee A. Archer to a third term as Managing Partner of Archer Norris. Eugene C. Blackard, Jr. and W. Eric (“Ric”) Blumhardt were also re-elected to the Management Committee. Other Management Committee members are Richard E. Norris and William H. Staples. The recent decision reflects the stability of Archer Norris’s management team based on the overall success of the firm.

“I am gratified that my colleagues continue to have confidence in my leadership abilities to fill this role,” said Archer Norris Managing Partner Lee Archer. “The last year has been one of strong growth for Archer Norris, particularly with regard to business and litigation which are the cornerstones of our practice at Archer Norris. The stability and vision of our management team promise to keep Archer Norris in the forefront of business, complex litigation and insurance defense and coverage.”

Lee Archer, one of the founders of the firm that has now become Archer Norris, has more than thirty years experience defending complex litigation in suits involving claims of medical malpractice, products liability, strict liability for developers, and general litigation. After receiving his law degree from Hastings College of Law, University of California in 1966, he served more than three years as a Deputy District Attorney in Contra Costa County before he chose to pursue a successful career in civil practice. Mr. Archer has represented parties in more than 100 jury trials and in excess of 50 binding arbitration hearings throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. Mr. Archer holds the rank of Advocate in the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is also a member of the Alameda and Contra Costa County Bar Associations.

Eugene Blackard defends contractors and manufacturers in a range of cases concerning complex multi-party environmental tort litigation, products liability, premises liability, and claims stemming from the Americans with Disabilities Act. He represents major insurers and self-insured entities, such as St. Paul/Travelers, Chubb, CNA, AIG, Royal/Sun Alliance, Atlantic Mutual, Hanover Insurance companies, Fireman’s Fund, and Valero Energy Corporation. Mr. Blackard received his J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific (1989). He is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

Ric Blumhardt specializes in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. His practice, spanning 20 years, encompasses all areas of first and third party insurance, including the interpretation and litigation of most every type of insurance policy. Mr. Blumhardt, who joined the firm in 1988, handles some of the firm’s most complex and sophisticated coverage matters. Mr. Blumhardt received his J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific in 1983. He is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, and served as the 2004 President of the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada.

Richard Norris, one of the founding partners of the firm, focuses his practice on complex transactions in the fields of real estate, solid waste, environmental, and corporate law. He represents companies in the homebuilding, construction, solid waste, and financial services industries throughout the Bay Area. Mr. Norris received his J.D. in 1977 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Richmond Arts Center and the Richmond Arts Center Endowment. He is currently a member on the Board of Directors of the Diablo Regional Arts Association. Mr. Norris was honored in 1991 when he was chosen Citizen of the Year in West Contra Costa County.

William Staples is one of the firm's senior trial attorneys. He focuses 25 years of legal experience in practice areas including employment, products liability, construction disputes/defects, insurance bad faith, public entity, toxic torts, and commercial litigation. Mr. Staples earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco (1975). He is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California, Defense Research Institute, and the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys.

About Archer Norris

Archer Norris, a Professional Law Corporation, is one of the largest law firms headquartered in Contra Costa County, with offices in Walnut Creek, Sacramento, Newport Beach and Los Angeles, Calif. The firm counsels clients in complex litigation, insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, health care, environmental, real estate transactions and discretionary approvals.

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Jann Dudley, Marketing Director
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