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bar leadership committee. I am serving a sec- ond term on the Broward County Charter Review Commission where I chair the a ord- able housing and public safety committee. I serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Broward County. I am a past national chair of the American Bar Associa- tion’s litigation section’s minority trial lawyer committee.
AALM: How do you balance your home life and work life?
Norris-Weeks: I o en have the conversa- tion of balance with friends who are also busy professionals used to juggling many projects at one time. Over time, I’ve discovered there is no such thing as work/life balance. ere is only an understanding that you will need to focus on what is most important at any given
time. Whether it is work, family, friends, volunteer work or my work with the Women of Color Empowerment Institute, I focus on the demands of that day and shu e the re- maining items to another day. I’ve nally learned that it is ne to delegate because no- body can do it all. It’s im- portant to be surrounded by good peo- ple and not place unreal- istic demands on yourself. Rather, I do whatever I am doing at any given time to the best of my ability. AALM: What ac- complishment are you
most proud of achieving? Norris-Weeks: In my earlier days of practicing law, one of the rm partners would always say, “You are only as good as your last win.” at saying stuck with me over the years and as a re- sult, I always remember the last win as a proud achievement. I’ve been involved in impactful cases over the
years.
Recently, a federal court judge
ruled in favor of my client in a prec- edent setting case that would have had nationwide implications if lost.
e court concluded that my client, the Bro- ward County Supervisor of Elections, imple- mented a general program that complied with the National Voter Registration Act. It was a hard-fought case that made national news on more than one occasion. In the elec- tions business nobody remembers when you get things right, only when a mistake is made, no matter how slight. Running an election in a large county has a lot of moving parts and people who do this work are true public ser- vants. I was proud to work with my client, Dr. Brenda Snipes, and her sta to deliver a win for Florida voters. Losing this case could have meant that voters could have been arbitrarily removed from a voters list. is was a great win and my law rm looks forward to litigat- ing other meaningful cases.
AALM: Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn.
Norris-Weeks: e beach is my favorite place on earth. I live for holidays when I go to the ocean to swim. If it’s a holiday and my work is done, you’ll nd me in a chair by the sea.
Vol. 7 No. 2 Attorney at Law Magazine® South Florida | 15
At a Glance
Austin Pamies Norris Weeks LLC
401 NW 7th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 (954) 768-9770 www.apnwlaw.com
Education
Juris Doctor, Florida State University College of Law, 1991
Bachelor of Arts, University of South Florida, 1988
Awards
Above and Beyond Award, American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation
Margaret Roach Humanitarian Award, Urban League
Lifetime Achievement Award, T.J. Reddick Bar Association.
Honoree, National Trumpet Awards Foundation
One of South Florida’s 25 Most In uential and Prominent Black Women in Business, Legacy Magazine
Leader of the Year Award, Leadership Broward Foundation
Hobbies
Miami Heat Fan
Water Sports & Beach Volleyball
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – Aristotle
Favorite Quote
Corporate Headshot Miami