Kristin A. Norse focuses her practice exclusively on appellate advocacy and sophisticated civil litigation support, bringing over three decades of legal experience to complex cases. Her practice combines extensive appellate expertise with strategic litigation support at the trial level, ensuring that critical legal issues are properly developed and preserved throughout all stages of litigation.
Ms. Norse has successfully handled well over 100 appeals across diverse areas of law during her more than 20 years in private practice. This experience, combined with her decade of service as senior staff attorney for the Honorable Chris W. Altenbernd at the Second District Court of Appeal, gives her a unique perspective on appellate advocacy. Her appellate experience encompasses complex commercial litigation, significant personal injury cases, employment disputes, civil rights matters, and family law appeals. She is particularly known for her meticulous attention to detail and comprehensive approach to legal analysis.
As part of her commitment to excellence in civil litigation, Ms. Norse provides invaluable support to trial counsel through exhaustive legal research, carefully crafted dispositive motions and responses, and precise argument presentation on critical legal issues. Her experience is particularly valued in complex litigation and class actions, where her thorough analytical approach helps identify and address potential appellate issues before they arise.
Ms. Norse is the immediate past chair of the Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee and holds a prestigious position on the Editorial Board for the American Bar Association’s Litigation Journal. Her leadership in the legal community includes serving as Past Chair of The Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Section and Appellate Court Rules Committee, Past President of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, and former Board Member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. She has also served in the past as chair of the HCBA’s Appellate Section and Trial & Litigation Section.
THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA has recognized Ms. Norse’s excellence by naming her the 2026 Tampa “Lawyer of the Year” for Appellate Practice, an honor previously awarded to her in 2020, 2023, and 2024. She is listed in the 2026 edition of THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA for both appellate practice and bet-the-company litigation. FLORIDA SUPER LAWYERS 2025 recognizes her achievements in appellate practice and has named her one of The Top 50 Women Lawyers in Florida and Top 100 Lawyers in Florida. Her expertise in appellate practice has also been acknowledged by Florida Trend’s FLORIDA LEGAL ELITE.
Ms. Norse’s contributions to the legal profession have earned her numerous accolades. In 2025, the Florida Justice Association awarded Ms. Norse the S. Victor Tipton Award for “superior achievement in legal writing.” The Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers has awarded Ms. Norse their HAWL Achievement Award in recognition of her commitment to promoting women in the legal profession and excellence in her career. She has also received the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Professionalism in the Practice of Law Award and two President’s Awards from The Florida Bar—one for her service on the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence Tools & Resources and the other for her work on the Special Committee on Opportunity in the Practice of Law. These honors reflect her dedication to maintaining the highest standards of legal practice while advancing opportunities for others in the profession.
Awards and Honors
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- The Best Lawyers in America 2026, 2024, 2023, 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” for Appellate Practice
- Tampa Magazine Top Lawyer, Appellate Practice, 2021
- Listed in The Best Lawyers In America for Appellate Practice and Bet the Company
- Listed in Florida Super Lawyers, Appellate Practice, One of The Top 50 Tampa Bay Lawyers, The Top 50 Women Lawyers in Florida, and The Top 100 Attorneys in Florida
- Listed in Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite for Appellate Practice
- Recipient of the Florida Justice Association’s S. Victor Tipton Award, 2025
- Recipient of Hillsborough County Bar Association Professionalism Award, 2021
- Recipient of Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers Achievement Award, 2016
- Recipient of Florida Association for Florida Women Lawyers’ “Leaders in the Law” Award, 2011
- Recipient of Hillsborough Association for Lawyers’ President’s Award, 2011
Professional Experience
- Kynes, Markman & Felman, P.A., Tampa, Florida, 2009-Present
- Second District Court of Appeal, Tampa, Florida, Senior Staff Attorney for Judge Chris W. Altenbernd, 1999-2009
- Harris, Barrett, Mann & Dew, P.A., Sun City Center, Florida, 1997-1999
- Hampton, Stoddard, Griffin & Runnells, P.A., Brandon, Florida, 1992-1997
- Cobb, Cole & Bell, Daytona Beach, Florida, Summer 1991
Professional Activities, Bar Associations and Organizations
- American Bar Association
- Editorial Board for the American Bar Association’s Litigation Journal
Executive Editor, 2025-present, Member, 2022-present
- The Florida Bar
- Civil Procedure Rules Committee
Secretary, 2025-present, Member, 2025-present - Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee
Chair, 2023-2024; Secretary, 2020-2023; Member, 2019-2025 - Appellate Practice Section
Past Chair, 2017-2018; Member, 2009-present
Past Chair, Publications Committee - Appellate Court Rules Committee
Past Chair, 2016-2017; Member, 2011-2017 - Special Committee on Gender Bias and Diversity Co-Chair, 2017-2018; Member, 2016-2017
- Citizens Advisory Committee
Past Member, 2016-2017
- Florida Association of Women Lawyers, President, 2015-2016
- Florida Justice Association
- Past Chair of the Appellate Practice Section
- Eagle Member, 2012-present
- Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, President 2008-2009
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Past Chair of the Trial & Litigation Section
- Past Member, Board of Directors
- Past Chair, Appellate Practice Section
- Past Editor, “The Lawyer,” HCBA’s monthly magazine
- Past Co-Chair, Law Follies Committee
Selected Lectures
- “Protecting the Record,” co-presented webinar for the Florida Justice Association on October 10, 2025
- “Appellate Insights in Trial Courts,” participated in a panel discussion for the Appellate Practice Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, April 22, 2025
- “Beyond the Bar: Introducing Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeal,” participated in a panel discussion on oral argument for the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar, April 3, 2025
- “Navigating Civil Appeals in Florida: A Guide for Public Interest Attorneys,” co-presented webinar with Brandon K. Breslow for Florida Legal Services on November 14, 2024
- “Motion Practice,” co-presented webinar with Brandon K. Breslow for the Florida Justice Association on November 8, 2024
- “Ethical Considerations of 57.105 Sanctions,” presented for the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar Membership Retreat in Orlando, FL on November 1, 2024
- “Case Law Insider Series: Complexities of a Medical Malpractice Case,” co-presented with Brandon K. Breslow for the Florida Justice Association, May 21, 2024
- “You Can’t Do That! Error-Proof Your Judgment,” co-presented with Brandon K. Breslow for the Florida Justice Association at the 2024 FJA John Romano Workhorse Seminar in Orlando, FL on March 21, 2024
- “The Practitioner’s Guide to Family Law Appeals,” participated in a panel discussion for a joint program of the Appellate Practice Section and the Family Law Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa, FL, on April 12, 2023
- “Persuading Judges,” co-moderated a panel discussion with Hon. Thomas N. Palermo for the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa, FL, on February 1, 2023
- “May It Please the Court: Oral Advocacy on Appeal,” co-presented with Brandon K. Breslow for the Florida Justice Association at its Annual Convention, Palm Beach, FL, on June 16, 2022
- “Making a Clear Record and Other Evidentiary Challenges in the Zoom Era,” moderated panel discussion for the Hillsborough County Bar Association, October 26, 2020
- “Judicial Perspective: Remote Oral Arguments,” moderated a panel discussion webinar for The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section, June 30, 2020
- “This Case is Going Downhill! When Can I Take it UP? Appellate Jurisdiction Over Nonfinal Orders,” webinar presented to the Florida Justice Association, June 25, 2020
- “Exploring the Experiences of Women of Color in the Legal Profession,” moderated panel discussion for the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, October 12, 2018
- “Jury Instructions in Employment Cases,” presented for the National Employment Lawyers Association, Sept. 14, 2018
- “11th Circuit Year in Review,” co-presented with a focus on employment cases for the American Constitution Society, July 18, 2018
- “Jury Instructions & Verdict Forms in Civil and Criminal Cases,” co-presented for the Trial and Litigation Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, May 2, 2018
- “Offsets from Collateral Sources,” webinar presentation for the Florida Justice Association, April 27, 2018
- “Implicit Bias and the #MeToo Movement,” panelist for the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, March 21, 2018
- “Update on the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure,” webinar presentation for The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section, Sept. 19, 2017
- “History in the Making: The Constitutional Revision Commission,” moderated a panel discussion on the history and current status of the CRC, co-sponsored by The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section and the Florida District Court of Appeals Judge’s Conference, Sept. 6, 2017
- “It’s a trap! How to Avoid Being Ambushed by New Appellate Rules,” for The Florida Bar on May 4, 2017
- “Know Your Worth,” moderated a panel discussion on law firm economics, compensation models, factors for advancement, and how a lawyer can quantify her value to her law firm, April 22, 2016, sponsored by the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, in Naples, Florida
- “Appellate Jurisdiction: The Basic Analytical Structure Tested with a Few Legal/Ethical Problems,” co-presented with Hon. Chris W. Altenbernd at the 2015 Annual Education Program of the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, September 9, 2015, sponsored by the Conference and the Appellate Practice Section of the Florida Bar, held in Ponte Vedra, FL
- “Gimme Some Money: Affiliate Financing,” presented at the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division 2015 Spring Meeting, May 14, 2015
- “Preserving Error in Employment Cases” co-presented at the 2011 Florida National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) Winter Conference, February 2011
- “Staying in the Game: Women, Leadership and the Law” panelist for Lawyers Leaders Roundtable on Jan. 29, 2015, sponsored by the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
- “Basic Appellate Practice: The Opinion is Out—Now What?” for The Florida Bar, Oct. 8, 2010
- “Attorneys’ Fees on Appeal in Domestic Relations Cases,” co-presented with the Hon. Chris W. Altenbernd in Tampa, FL, on Jan. 29, 2009 as part of “Family Law Appeals,” sponsored by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Appellate Practice Section
- “Appellate Practice for the General Practitioner: Preparing the Record, Motion Practice, and Writing the Brief,” presentation on Nov. 15, 2006, in Tampa, Florida, sponsored by Lorman Education Services
- “The Art of Legal Research: Step-By-Step Analysis of How a Research Guru Thinks Plus Common Mistakes Attorneys Make,” presentation at a seminar sponsored by the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers in Tampa, Florida, Oct. 29, 2004
- “A Grave Mistake: Failing to Preserve Your Issues for Appeal,” presented to the St. Petersburg Bar Association, Probate and Guardianship Section, St. Petersburg, Florida, Sept. 25, 2003, and to the Clearwater Bar Association, Probate and Guardianship Section, Clearwater, Florida, Jan. 15, 2004
- “Responsibilities of Appellate Court Staff Attorneys: Initial Check of Assigned Cases,” prepared for and presented to staff attorneys at the Second District Court of Appeal as part of an in-house CLE seminar, April 28, 2003
- “Appellate Procedure: Motions,” presented at the Annual Conference of the Florida Trial Court Staff Attorneys Association, Cocoa Beach, Florida, Oct. 10, 2001
- “Taxation Issues for Tax-Exempt Organizations in Florida: Florida Regulations of Fund Raising,” presentation at a seminar sponsored by Lorman Education Services for directors, officers, trustees, controllers, CFOs, tax managers, and accountants, held in Tampa, Florida, Dec. 9, 1998
- Developed mock trial entitled, “State vs. The Wicked Queen” for use in elementary school setting
- Guest lecturer at Stetson University College of Law for Professor Michael Finch and Adjunct Professor Stuart Markman’s Appellate Practice Class on brief writing
Selected Publications
- “Call Me Maybe? The New Conferral Rule in State Courts,” HCBA Lawyer Magazine, Vol. 35, No. 5, May-June 2025, p. 60
- “Harnessing Appellate Tips for Effective Motion Practice,” Florida Justice Association Journal, #644, March/April 2025, pp. 60-61
- “Some Nonfinal Orders in Medical Negligence Cases Now Appealable,” HCBA Lawyer Magazine, Vol. XXXIV, No. 1, Sep.-Oct. 2023, p. 18-19
- “Certiorari Review of Orders Denying Discovery,” co-author with Brandon K. Breslow, HCBA Lawyer Magazine, Vol. XXXII, No. 2, Nov.-Dec. 2021, p. 20-21
- Chapter 10, Overview of Extraordinary Writs, co-author with Frances H. Toomey, Florida Appellate Practice, 8th edition
- “Preserving Error: How High is the Bar?” J. Appellate Section, The Record, Vol. XVII, No. 2, Spring 2010, p. 10-11
- “Time is on My Side: Four Steps to Applying the Correct Law,” co-author with Brandon R. Christian, The Florida Bar Journal, Vol. 83, No. 7, p. 44 (July/Aug. 2009)
- “Motion Practice in the District Courts of Appeal,” The Florida Bar Journal, Vol. 81, No. 4, p. 38 (April 2007)
- Assistant Editor, The Florida Bar Pro Se Appellate Handbook, author of chapter entitled, “Preparing the Record in a Worker’s Compensation Appeal”
- “Bridge the Gap Alimony Awards,” with Wesley Pardue, The Family Law Section Commentator, Vol. XXVI, No. 1, p. 27 (Sept. 1999)
- Revised Florida Appellate Practice Guide, Chapter XII: Second District Court of Appeal, 2002, 2003, and 2005
Legal Education
- Boston University School of Law, J.D., 1992
- Co-Director of the Esdaile Moot Court program
Undergraduate Education
- Boston University College of Arts and Sciences, B.A., English, cum laude and Boston University School of Law, from 1986 to 1992, Six-Year Dual Degree Program
Admissions
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- Florida, 1992
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1997
- United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. 2008