John Norwood
Legislative Advocate
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of California
John Norwood is one of California’s top legislative advocates and Managing Partner of Norwood Associates. He is considered the leader in the state’s insurance, financial services, and small business sector and represents a bluechip list of business, insurance, and financial clients. His career has spanned more than 35 years in various capacities representing clients before the California Legislature and regulatory agencies. During that time, John was one of the chief lobbyists for the California Manufacturers Association; founded and managed the Sacramento law and lobbying office of Heron, Burchette Ruckert & Rothwell, a national political firm. He has been the Principal of Norwood Associates since 1990.
John has earned a reputation as an expert in government relations, with access on both sides of the political aisle. In 1980, the California Journal named him, “one of the rising stars in the lobbying business.” In 2004, The Los Angeles Times stated: “for three decades Norwood has been in the middle of the scrum in most major insurance struggles in California.” California’s leading political magazine, Capitol Weekly, named him the “Most Trustworthy” lobbyist as a result of their 2010 poll of legislators and chiefs of staff. His successes include hard-fought campaigns amending California’s insurance rate regulatory statutes, reforming California’s insurance agent and broker licensing laws, obtaining numerous amendments to California’s privacy law for various clients, rebuffing challenges to title insurance and home warranty statutes, defending against amendments to California’s franchise law as well as laws and regulations governing contractors and swimming pool and spa businesses.
He graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor’s Degree in Government. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and is an active member of the California State Bar.
