Nationally recognized for medical malpractice work
Norm Tucker has skillfully been handling personal injury and medical malpractice cases for over 30 years. As a nationally recognized trial attorney, Norm focuses his practice primarily on birth related injuries, obstetrical and neonatal care, and anesthesia-related injuries. He co-authored the two definitive reference books on the subject, Handling Birth Trauma Cases, Volumes I and II, and has been invited to speak at more than 100 seminars, workshops, panel discussions, law school classes, and medical conferences. In fact, he was one of the few attorneys in the nation invited to speak at the Boston University’s School of Medicine Annual Conference on Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatal Medicine and the Law, not once, but twice –in 2004, and again in 2013.
Every year since 1995, Norm has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America, and in 2014 and 2011 Best Lawyers voted him the Best Medical Malpractice attorney in Southeastern Michigan. His experience and meticulous attention to detail has resulted in yearly multi-million-dollar recoveries for clients.
Norm identifies first and foremost as a lawyer for those who have suffered debilitating medical-related errors. Raised in a small rural town of less than 250 people, Norm grew up appreciating hard work and respect, and has carried those principles with him throughout his career. Prior to joining Sommer Schwartz in an Of Counsel position, Norm worked exclusively in medical malpractice and personal injury law, including spending five years representing some Michigan’s largest hospitals.
Accomplishments
- “The Anatomy of a Michigan Malpractice Case,” 2021
- “Michigan’s Medical Malpractice Tort Reform – ‘The Juice Isn’t Worth the Squeeze,’” Michigan Association for Justice, Spring Journal 2014, and reprinted in The Advocate (Kentucky Justice Association), July/August 2015
- “Doctors Drunk with Fatigue: The Cognitive Impairment in Physician’s Decision Making After Prolonged Shifts Compared with Blood Alcohol Levels,” State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section Newsletter, January 11, 2011
- “Warning to the Complacent Frogs: The Pot is Ready to Boil,” State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section Quarterly, Winter 2009
- “Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport,” MTLA Quarterly President’s Page, Summer 2002
- “Why Don’t They Love Us?” MTLA Quarterly President’s Page, Winter 2002, (republished with permission in the publications of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association)
- “Who Are We?” MTLA Quarterly President’s Page, Fall 2001
- “An Interesting Species,” MTLA Quarterly President’s Page, Summer 2001
- “Partisanship Invades Supreme Court,” The Detroit News, Op. Ed., October 31, 2000
- Handling Birth Trauma Cases, Volume I (1985) and Volume II (1989), Wiley Law Publications, (Co-Author)
- Commentary Against Caps on Non-Economic Damages, Journal of Medicine and Law, (Co-Author), Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University, 1997
Memberships
- State Bar of Michigan
- Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation, 1992 – Present
- Business Impact Committee, 2009 – 2010
- Committee on Judicial Qualifications, 2003 – 2009
- Negligence Section Council, 2002 – 2004
- Grievance Panel, Chairman, 1982-1989
- Michigan Association of Justice (formerly Michigan Trial Lawyers Association)
- President, 2001 – 2002
- President-Elect, 2000 – 2001
- Vice President, 1999 – 2000
- Secretary, 1998 – 1999
- Medical Malpractice Legislative Committee Chair, 2011 – present
- American Association for Justice
- Birth Trauma Litigation Group
- Michigan Governor, 1990-1991 and 1996-1998
- State of Michigan Delegate, 1991-1993
- American Bar Association
- Committee on Law and Medicine
- Tort Reform Task Force on National Health Security Act, 1994
- Detroit Bar Association
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Fellow, Oakland County Bar Foundation, 1998 – Present
- Southfield Bar Association
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
- American Constitutional Society for Law and Policy
- Oakland County Mediation Panel
- Wayne County Mediation Panel
- Michigan House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee, Physician Peer Review, Chair 2002
- Michigan Democratic Party, Caucus Review Committee, 2004
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly Board of Editors, 2006 – 2009
- Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, Life Member
Testimonials
I had a trial lawyer and judge in my office today and gave credit to you as the source of the information I provided them. They both recognized your excellence and authority and were duly impressed. You are still my “go to guy!” Bravo, Tucker!
Over the years I have referred cases to your firm in general and to Norm specifically knowing that the client would be handled with care and competence. I have always found that to be the case. While I have never been a plaintiff’s lawyer I have come to know that there are plaintiff’s firms with tremendous skill and ethics. Your firm is one of those.
I raised my three children largely as a single father. My oldest son just passed the Colorado Bar and began work with a Denver firm. Over the years he has heard my stories about Sommers Schwartz and the various people I have met there along the way. I firmly believe that should my son Chris become half the lawyer as those I have met at your firm he will be successful.
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Juris Doctor
- University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Birth Injury
- Medical Malpractice
- Personal Injury