After over 55 years practicing law, Norm Book retired from Carr McClellan at the end of 2021. Norm’s vast experience in real estate, corporate and tax law was a unique combination of disciplines that added value to all the clients he served. Norm handled major real estate and business transactions, and he served as general counsel for many of Carr McClellan’s business clients over the years.

Norm’s broad exposure to a variety of different business industries allowed him to effectively structure transactions involving multiple parties and complex legal issues. Additionally, his experience serving on the Board of Directors of a major manufacturing company enabled him to bring a pragmatic business approach to his clients’ transactions. Norm will continue to be active in community affairs. He has served as the president of a number of business and charitable organizations. He was recognized for his longtime leadership role in the community, by the San Mateo County Economic Development Association who acknowledged his service with the David D. Bohannon Lifetime Achievement Award.

Experience & Affiliations

Representative Matters

  • Handled the sale of a substantial portion of Foster City to Centex West, Inc., involving a complex contingent payment note, in one of the largest real estate transactions in the history of San Mateo County.
  • Facilitated the acquisition of a San Francisco hotel and its conversion to a timeshare project.
  • Negotiated the merger of a local manufacturing company into an affiliate of Koch Industries, the largest privately held company in United States.
  • Negotiated sale of land to Franklin Resources for 900,000-square-foot office campus at Bay Meadows.
  • Facilitated the development of a high-rise condominium in downtown San Mateo.
  • Negotiated and documented corporate headquarters office lease with EOP.
  • Won a tax case of first impression that held that payments from a profit-sharing plan, resulting from permanent disability claims, were tax-free.

Professional Organizations

  • State Bar of California, inactive

Civic and Charitable

  • SAMCEDA (formerly San Mateo County Economic Development Association) | Member and Former Chair
  • Town of Hillsborough | Former City Attorney
  • Hillsborough Schools Foundation | Former President
  • Peninsula Stanford Club | Former President
  • San Mateo Historical Association | Former President
  • C. M. Russell Museum | Board of Directors, Executive Committee

Honors and Awards

  • AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell

Insights