William L. Norton III

Tennessee Bar Foundation, Fellow American College of Bankruptcy, Fellow Nashville Bar Foundation, Fellow  Adjunct Professor, Vanderbilt University Law School Board of Trustees, Sen. Richard B. Russell Foundation at the University of Georgia Listed in Chambers USA  Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2021-2024 Litigation: Bankruptcy, 2005-2020 Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Practice/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 1993-2025 Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2017-2025 Commercial Litigation, 2007-2025 Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2015-2025 "Lawyer of the Year," Nashville, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization, 2012, 2019, 2025 "Lawyer of the Year," Nashville, Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2025 Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers Bankruptcy: Business, 2017-2023 Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights, 2006-2016 "Top 100," Tennessee, 2014-2023 “Top 50," Nashville, 2012-2023 Listed in Who's Who Legal, Restructuring & Insolvency, 2016 Listed in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, Insolvency and Restructuring, 2007-2010 Listed in Business Tennessee “150 Best Lawyers," Bankruptcy Business Practice, 2009-2010 Listed in Nashville Business Journal “Best of the Bar," 2006-2013, 2023 Listed in Lawdragon 500 Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers, 2020, 2022-2024 Listed in Lawdragon 3000 Tennessee Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association, Outstanding Turnaround Professional Award, 2016 Global M&A Network Turnaround Atlas Award, 2018 Listed in Nashville Post, "In Charge- Legal," 2019-2023 Counsel for Chapter 11 trustee Represented the Chapter 11 trustee of affiliated Knoxville trailer sales and leasing companies. Liquidated assets and distributed proceeds to secured and unsecured creditors. Trustee of construction company Supervised the completion of pending construction projects as well as the liquidation of equipment and accounts, including termination of the pension plan, termination of the healthcare plan, the completion of pending contracts, the litigation of preference claims, the allowance of unsecured claims and the distribution of proceeds to allowed claims, for one of Tennessee’s largest construction companies. Represented landlord claimants regarding lease claims in Chapter 11 cases Represented landlords regarding lease claims in numerous Chapter 11 cases for retail clients, including Circuit City, Golfsmith, Hancock Fabrics, Payless, Radio Shack, Sports Authority and Toys R Us. Debtor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy counsel Successful confirmation of joint plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of 12 long-term care facilities. Debtor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy counsel Successful confirmation of plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of construction equipment leasing company. Debtor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy counsel Successful confirmation of plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of bottled water distributor. Debtor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy counsel Successful confirmation of plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of physical therapy provider. Represented Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Represented committee in Chapter 11 case involving cable provider of television programming. Debtor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy counsel Represented national vacuum cleaner manufacturer in the sale of its assets. Represented landlord claimants and preference defendants in Chapter 11 Represented over 25 landlord claimants and preference defendants in settling objections and actions in a national retailer’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. Representation of Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Represented committee in large Chapter 11 case involving charitable annuities. Representation of Official Bondholders Committee Represented bondholder committee in the confirmation of a creditor Chapter 11 plan involving a Nashville real estate office development. Representation of Official Franchisee Committee Represented official franchisee committee in the Chapter 11 case of a national franchise company Representation of primary secured creditor Represented primary secured creditor in a Chapter 11 case involving a roofing company operating in 25 states pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. Representation of secured creditors with claims of $260 million Represented participating secured creditors with aggregate claims of approximately $260 million in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of a national coal mining company that resulted in favorable plan of reorganization. Representation of Official Employee Committee Represented official employee committee in resolving retiree benefit claims asserted in the Chapter 11 liquidation of a national retailer. Special litigation counsel to Chapter 11 company Served as special litigation counsel to a Chapter 11 company in prosecuting numerous claims involving preferences, fraudulent transfers, recovery of property, consolidation and breach of fiduciary duty. Mediation and settlement of D&O suit Successful mediation and favorable settlement of directors' and officers' liability lawsuit initiated by secured creditors in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case involving a coal mining company.