Norman Law Firm

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the Norman Law Firm of Cherokee County. Now settle in, because this one's about something rarer than a blue norther in July: a law firm that actually kept its name. Wyatt Thomas Norman and William Harrison Shook, both Cherokee County natives, walked into the Courthouse Square in 1898 and opened a law office together.

Two men who knew the land, knew the county, knew the people. That's where it all started. Then, in 1918, a man named George Gibson came aboard as a partner, and before long Gibson moved to Jacksonville and opened a branch office there.

The firm was growing, spreading roots the way good things do in East Texas. Now here's where the story gets a little bit of poetry to it. Wyatt T.

Norman's own son joined the firm in 1930, becoming a partner in 1932, and he took on the Jacksonville office himself. Father and son, same name on the door, same courthouse square where it all began. And that name, the Norman name, has stayed in the firm's title every single year since 1898.

That is not a small thing. Law firms have a way of reshufflin' their names every time a new partner walks in or walks out. But not this one.

The Norman Law Firm has represented individuals and national corporations alike, and along the way it has produced judges, politicians, and leaders at the local, county, and state level. Still continuing, the marker tells us, in the traditions of its founders. Some things in Texas, when they're built right, just last.

What the marker says

Wyatt Thomas Norman and William Harrison Shook, both Cherokee County natives, opened a law office on the Courthouse Square in 1898. George Gibson became a partner in 1918. He later moved to Jacksonville and opened a branch there. Wyatt T. Norman's son joined the firm in 1930, becoming a partner in 1932 and later maintaining the Jacksonville office. Throughout its history, the firm has retained the Norman name in its title. It remains widely known as the Norman Law Firm. The firm has contributed to Texas legal history, successfully representing both individuals and national corporations. The Norman firm has prduced judges, politicians and local, county and state leaders. It continues in the traditions of its founders. (2000)