Michael J. Norton is an American attorney who was United States Attorney for the District of Colorado from 1988 to 1993, and who serves as council for conservative lobbying groups.
Michael J. Norton | |
|---|---|
| United States Attorney for the District of Colorado | |
| In office 1988–1993 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Robert N. Miller |
| Succeeded by | Henry Lawrence Solano |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Jane E. Norton |
| Education | American University (J.D.), Denver Seminary (M.Div.) |
Education
editNorton received his J.D. in 1968 from American University. In 2009, Norton earned a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Denver Seminary.[1]
Biography
editNorton was nominated as attorney for the District of Colorado on March 24, 1988.[2] As US Attorney, Norton oversaw expanded prosecution of cocaine and crack cocaine infractions during the crack epidemic.[3][4]
Norton is counsel at Thomas N. Scheffel & Associates P.C. in Denver, and at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).[5] At ADF he focuses on law connected with opposition to legal abortion and opposition to birth control. Norton also currently serves on the board of directors of Colorado Family Action, a Christian fundamentalist lobbying organization.[1]
Norton is married to Jane E. Norton, Colorado Lieutenant Governor from 2003 to 2007.[1] Together, Michael and Jane Norton drafted Colorado Amendment 43.[6] This amendment prohibited gay marriage in Colorado.
Cases
editMichael Norton represented Jack Phillips, a baker whose religious beliefs lead him to decline to make a wedding cake for a gay couple in 2012, at an early stage in Phillips's case.[6] The case Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission would go before the US Supreme Court.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Michael Norton". Centennial Institute. Colorado Christian University. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "PN942 — Michael J. Norton — Department of Justice". Congress.gov. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "Denver grand jury indicts 16 members of LA-based crack ring". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. July 21, 1991. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "Kingpin said to attempt cocaine hub in Colorado". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. July 18, 1988. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "We Are Excited To Introduce You To Our New Of Counsel Attorney". TNS Associates. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ a b Laugesen, Wayne (December 20, 2017). "Beacon of Hope gala to honor Mike and Jane Norton". Denver Catholic. Archdiocese of Denver. Retrieved September 4, 2019.