Each day, we will profile an innovative leader who was selected for the 2026 edition of Az Business Leaders magazine. Today, meet Norma C. Izzo, partner and chair, Family Law Practice Group, for Spencer Fane.
Norma Izzo, Spencer Fane
Background: Izzo helps her clients navigate complex family law matters and develops successful legal strategies, using her mediation experience to develop beneficial resolutions while leveraging her significant trial experience to advocate for her clients in court. Her practice is concentrated in family law and domestic relations matters, including high net worth asset division, business dissolution, prenuptial and cohabitation agreements, spousal maintenance, child custody and child support, collaborative divorce, mediation, arbitration, and parent coordination, frequently for individuals in family court settings domestically and internationally.
Upcoming challenge: “As AI transforms legal research, document review, and routine drafting, I’m focusing on refining the uniquely human skills that technology cannot replicate. I’m investing in advanced client counseling techniques, complex negotiation strategies, and emotional intelligence training — areas where empathy and nuanced judgment remain irreplaceable. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, I leverage these tools to eliminate tedious tasks, allowing me to spend more meaningful time on strategic case development and client relationships. This approach not only enhances service quality but ensures our profession evolves to better serve families during their most challenging moments.”
Leadership lesson: “The most important leadership lesson I’ve learned is that authentic vulnerability builds stronger teams and relationships than projecting invincibility. Early in my career, I believed admitting uncertainty or not having all answers would undermine my authority. Now I openly acknowledge when I don’t know something and collaborate with my team to find solutions. This approach has transformed my practice — clients trust me more because I’m honest about case complexities, and my team feels empowered. Flagging potential challenges, issues, and opportunities is prized in my practice and discussion and collaboration often takes center stage. In family law, where emotions run high, this authenticity creates the safe space clients need during difficult transitions.”
Surprising fact: “I’m a second-generation American whose Italian grandparents came through Ellis Island and built their lives in New York from nothing. Watching my family overcome adversity with dignity and determination shaped my entire approach to family law — helping clients navigate their most difficult moments while preserving their strength and values.”
