The Honorable Virginia Baker Norton
The Honorable Virginia Baker Norton was elected as a Circuit Court Judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in August of 2008.
On January 19, 2017, Judge Norton was named as the recipient of the Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice’s Distinguished Judicial Service Award.
On December 2, 2017, Judge Norton was named Jurist of the Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates, Jacksonville Chapter.
A native of Jacksonville, she is a graduate of The Bolles School, the University of Virginia, and the University of Florida Levin College of Law. While pursuing her education, Judge Norton was the recipient of numerous community, leadership, and academic honors and distinctions, including being named as the Head Resident on the Lawn at the University of Virginia.
In May of 2016, Judge Norton received her LLM in Judicial Studies from Duke University School of Law. Judge Norton was editor-in-chief of the autumn edition of Judicature Magazine.
Judge Norton began her legal career with the law firm of Moseley, Warren, Prichard, and Parrish in Jacksonville. During her time with the Firm, she co-authored the “Venue” section of the Lawyers’ Cooperative Federal Practice Guide.
From 1999-2008, Judge Norton served as an Assistant General Counsel for the City of Jacksonville. Judge Norton played an integral role in the City of Jacksonville's major legal issues. In 2001, she was the attorney who redistricted the City of Jacksonville. Judge Norton was also hand-picked to defend the City of Jacksonville’s Sexual Predator Ordinance. Judge Norton also served as a Special Master for the City of Jacksonville. Judge Norton also maintained an active trial and appellate practice in both State and Federal courts.
As a community leader, Judge Norton has dedicated her time to a wide range of activities. Currently, Judge Norton is a member of the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the Board of Family Support Services, and the Board of North Florida School of Special Education. Judge Norton is also an active member of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee.
Judge Norton serves as an in class facilitator as well as Acting Director of the D.A.W.N. Program of the Duval County Jail. The D.A.W.N. program is designed to help Duval County Jail inmates earn their Florida High School Diplomas (General Education Development—G.E.D.), and provide them with vocational training and life skills to help them make better choices to improve their chances for successfully being reintegrated back into the community as educated and employable citizens. Judge Norton has been a part of the D.A.W.N. Program since 2009.
Judge Norton is a member of the Florida and Georgia Bars as well as the Maritime Law Association of America.
Judge Norton is currently a Judicial Liaison and Executive Council Member of the Florida Bar Business Law Section. She also serves a member of the Florida Bar Business Courts Task Force. Judge Norton serves as a member of the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services and serves as Chair of the All Circuits Pro Bono Subcommittee.
From January 2009 through December 2010, Judge Norton was assigned to Division FM-G of the Family Division. Judge Norton was assigned to Division CR-H of the Felony Division from January 2011 through December 2013. In January 2014, Judge Norton began to preside over Division CV-D of the Civil Division. In addition, in January 2015, Judge Norton was selected to serve as the Administrative Judge of the Civil Division.
During the spring and fall of 2014, Judge Norton served as an Associate Judge with the First District Court of Appeal.
Judge Norton has presided over approximately one hundred twenty jury trials, including death penalty trials.