Michael J. Norton

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
In office
1988–1993
Preceded byRobert N. Miller
Succeeded byHenry Lawrence Solano
United States Attorney for the District of Colorado
PresidentRonald Reagan
PresidentGeorge H.W. Bush
Personal details
Spouse(s)Jane E. Norton
EducationAmerican University (J.D.), Denver Seminary (M.Div.)

Education

Norton 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

Norton 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 council 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 from 1992 to 1996, when it was overturned in Romer v. Evans because the amendment was, according to the Supreme Court, "born of animosity" toward gays and lesbians.[7]

Cases

Michael 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
  1. "Michael Norton". Centennial Institute. Colorado Christian University. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  2. "PN942 — Michael J. Norton — Department of Justice". Congress.gov. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  3. "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.
  4. "Kingpin said to attempt cocaine hub in Colorado". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. July 18, 1988. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  5. "We Are Excited To Introduce You To Our New Of Counsel Attorney". TNS Associates. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  6. Laugesen, Wayne (December 20, 2017). "Beacon of Hope gala to honor Mike and Jane Norton". Denver Catholic. Archdiocese of Denver. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  7. Kimpel, Jason D. (1999). ""Distinctions Without A Difference"; How the Sixth Circuit Misread Romer v. Evans". Indiana Law Journal. 74 (3): 995. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
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