One-year term on executive committee begins January 1

CHARLOTTE -- Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman, P.A. Co-founder Robert B. Norris, formerly of Burlington, has been named general counsel and member of the executive committee of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce for 2011. He will serve under incoming Chamber Chair Pat Rodgers.

Norris graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Cum Laude from Davidson College in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Norris earned his Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor from UNC Chapel Hill in 1976.

“The Charlotte Chamber focuses on business growth and innovation for a 13-county region,” Norris says. “That concentration aligns well with our belief that private business is the part of the engine that keeps healthy communities running. That’s our passion.

“And our vision doesn’t stop in one region. A thriving business environment in one area of our state reflects well on and attracts more businesses to other regions, as well.”

Norris notes an important component for doing business is community involvement. He encourages private enterprises to get their employees involved, just as he encourages those who work at Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman to get involved.

Norris is a Fellow of the American Leadership Forum and member of the Business Law Section of the NC Bar Association. He is a past director of NPower Charlotte Region and a two-term past trustee of Davidson College. He was selected for inclusion in North Carolina Super Lawyers 2010. He also maintains an AV® Preeminent™ (5.0 out of 5) Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (the highest peer review competence and ethical rating possible).

Norris’ practice focus is privately owned businesses, business owner estate planning, mergers and acquisitions and business owner exit planning. Founded in Burlington in 1976 as Bateman Wishart & Norris, the firm focuses on serving privately held – often family-owned – businesses and their owners in North Carolina and South Carolina. Norris, who is a past president of the Alamance Area Chamber of Commerce, is the Managing Attorney for the firm. Since 1976, the firm has grown to 75 employees, including 35 attorneys, in its Burlington and Charlotte offices. Wade Harrison is the Managing Attorney for the Burlington office.

Norris lives in Charlotte with his wife, Kay. They have two grown children, Bryan and Josh.