Darcy Norville

Darcy Norville

Retired Partner

503.802.2036

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Services & Industries

Education

J.D., University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 1984

B.A., Political Science, California State University at Chico, 1980

Bar & Court Admissions

Oregon State Bar
State Bar of California, Inactive
Washington State Bar Association, Inactive
United States District Court, District of Oregon
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States District Court, Western District of Washington

During her impressive tenure at Tonkon Torp, Darcy was the first female attorney to serve as firm Managing Partner, during which time she helped kick-start and modernize the firm’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion efforts, launched a successful firm-wide rebrand, and developed a vital new strategic plan to guide the firm’s future development. Darcy’s practice focused on general business and corporate law. She worked with clients in the insurance and financial services industry on a wide variety of matters, including regulatory compliance, privacy laws, contract drafting, and general corporate matters. Darcy’s practice also emphasized executive compensation, ERISA, and employee benefits counsel.

Representative Matters

Sale of Pulp Mill

Represented Wayzata Investment Partners, a private equity fund, in connection with a sale of Halsey, Oregon pulp mill.

Rejuvenation

Represented Rejuvenation, Inc. in the sale to a national leading home furnishings company.

Meridian Rail Holdings Corporation Stock Acquisitions

Represented The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. in connection with acquisitions of stock of Meridian Rail Holdings Corporation for approximately $230 million.

Sale to UTi Worldwide Logistics

Represented Market Industries, Ltd. in the ultimate sale to UTi Worldwide Logistics for approximately $197 million in cash.

Acquisition of Market Industries, Inc.

Represented Endeavour Capital in acquisitions of Market Industries, Inc.

Legal Aid Services of Oregon

Legal Aid Services of Oregon is a statewide nonprofit organization providing high-quality legal representation and advocacy to vulnerable and low-income communities throughout Oregon. Partner James Hein, current Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Pro Bono Committee, was instrumental in launching the firm’s partnership with Legal Aid Roseburg.

Diverse Team Aids Greenbrier in Joint Venture

Tonkon Torp acted as Oregon corporate counsel for its long-term client The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. in finalizing a 50/50 joint venture with Watco Companies, L.L.C. The venture combines the two companies’ railcar repair, refurbishment and maintenance businesses into a new organization, GBW Railcar Services, LLC.

Community Involvement & Activities

Proud Ground
2009–Present, Pro Bono Volunteer

Oregon Business & Industry (formerly OBA)
2017–Present, Board of Directors

Oregon Business Association (OBA)
2010–2017, Board of Directors

Campaign for Equal Justice
Advisory Board Member
Emeritus Board Member
Past Statewide Co-Chair

YWCA of Greater Portland
2012–2014, President
2011–2014, Board of Directors

Multnomah Bar Association
2010–2013, Board of Directors

Oregon Law Foundation
2006–2009, Board Member


Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon Women Lawyers

The Best Lawyers in America

2009-2022, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

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Portland Business Journal

2019, Women of Influence

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Best Lawyers in America® Includes 53 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2022 List

Fifty-three Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 39 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022

Best Lawyers in America® Includes 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2021 List

Forty-nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. A majority of attorneys have been named to the peer-review list in past years, and most have been recognized for more than five years.

2020 List for Best Lawyers in America® Includes 48 Tonkon Torp Attorneys

Forty-eight Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 39 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2020. A majority of attorneys have been named to the list in past years, and most have been recognized for more than five years.

Darcy Norville Recognized as One of Portland’s Women of Influence

Tonkon Torp Managing Partner Darcy Norville has been honored by the Portland Business Journal as one of its 2019 Women of Influence. The highly regarded award recognizes women who are business and community leaders in the greater Portland area.

Tonkon Torp Sponsors 28th Annual CEJ Awards Luncheon

Tonkon Torp was a table sponsor at the 28th Annual Campaign for Equal Justice (CEJ) Awards Luncheon on February 21. Darcy Norville led Tonkon’s involvement with the event and attended along with nine others from Tonkon Torp.

All News Items

The Fleischer Case: IRS Challenges Ahead for Insurance Producers?

A 2017 Tax Court decision, Fleischer v. Commissioner, may call into question a tax planning strategy commonly used by commissioned brokers and salespersons in many industries. This Alert looks at the impact of the decision on insurance brokers and agents. Fleischer was an insurance agent and a registered representative of broker-dealer LPL. Fleischer received commissions from sales of fixed life insurance policies from the issuing insurance carriers, and received commissions from sales of variable life insurance policies from LPL.

DOL Major Changes to Fiduciary Investment Adviser Definition and Prohibited Transaction Exemptions – Part 2

On April 6, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) issued final regulations expanding the definition of who is a fiduciary and what constitutes fiduciary advice to ERISA-covered employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). This is the second in a series of Tonkon Tips addressing the new investment advice fiduciary definition. This Tip focuses on what activities do not constitute fiduciary advice under the new rule and therefore are not subject to the rule’s requirements.

IRS Modifies “Use-it-or Lose-it” Rule for Health Flexible Spending Accounts

On October 31, 2013 the IRS issued Notice 2013-71 modifying the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule for health flexible spending accounts (“FSAs”) under §125 cafeteria plans. These modified rules are welcome relief for employers and employees, and can apply as early as the 2013 plan year.

ACA Employer Mandate and Reporting Requirements Delayed

On July 2, 2013, President Obama announced that implementation of the employer mandate and health care coverage reporting provisions of the Affordable Care Act will be delayed until January 1, 2015.

What Employers Can Learn from Petraeus’s Downfall

We have all witnessed the instantaneous fall from grace of General David Petraeus, which snowballed from anonymous harassing emails sent to Tampa socialite Jill Kelley to implicating Petraeus’s biographer Paula Broadwell to revealing the racy details of the writer’s relationship with Petraeus.

All Alerts Items

Publications & Presentations

“The Path to the Top,” Women in the Law Distinguished Speaker Program, Lewis & Clark Law School, March 2017

“Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule Overview,” Greater Portland Compliance Association, September 2016

“Health Care Reform,” Cascade Employers Association, March 2013