Behind the List with Matthew Sorrentino of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA

Legal complications can be overwhelming.

From work-related injuries to lawsuits to commercial litigation, today’s legal system often requires attorneys to be specialized to properly advise clients.

We’ve all been in situations where the question of legality has arisen, but when we hear the word “attorney” or “lawyer,” mostly we have a vague idea of how law firms work.

Here to answer this week’s “Behind the List” questions and offer insight into law practices is Matthew Sorrentino, partner of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA of Allentown.

Lehigh Valley Business: How long has Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA been operating in the Greater Lehigh Valley and what are its primary services?

Matthew Sorrentino: Norris McLaughlin can trace its roots back over 100 years in the Lehigh Valley, when it was founded in 1913 as Butz & Rupp. After several name changes as partners came and went, the firm became Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino PC … in 1989. In 2009, THS merged with Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA …, a firm headquartered in Bridgewater, N.J., with an office in Manhattan. NMM is a general purpose business-law firm.

LVB: What have been some of the biggest challenges and opportunities that Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA has encountered throughout its years in business?

Sorrentino: While it was an exciting time and a great opportunity for our firm, it was challenging to implement the changes that accompany any merger. As a local company with strong ties to our community, it was with delicate balance that we announced the merger to our clients and friends and handled the transition of our name from Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino to Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, while maintaining and expanding our market presence in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

Throughout our storied history, we have been fortunate to work with some of the Valley’s best-known organizations, such as National Penn Bank, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Lehigh University, Olympus, PPL, the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, the Brown Daub Dealerships and Yuengling Brewery, as well as some of the area’s most influential individuals.

LVB: Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA is one of the largest law firms in the region. How do you think your firm’s values have contributed to your sustained growth?