Judge Virginia B. Norton: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Virginia B. Norton is a judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. She was elected to the bench in 2008 and re-elected in 2014 and 2020.

The 4th Judicial Circuit encompasses Clay County, Duval County, and Nassau County. Norton has held assignments in Duval County, presiding over cases in the Family Division, the Criminal Division, and the Civil Division. She has also served as an Administrative Judge for the Civil Division, and she has played an instrumental role in the Developing Adults with Necessary Skills Program at the Duval County Jail.

Norton earned a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric and communications studies from the University of Virginia in 1994. She then completed a J.D. at the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, in 1997. She later earned an LL.M. in judicial studies from Duke University School of Law (2016).

After graduating from law school, Norton began her legal career as an attorney at Moseley, Warren, Prichard and Parrish. She worked in that capacity until 1999, at which time she joined the City of Jacksonville as its assistant general counsel. During her time with the City of Jacksonville, Norton defended its Sexual Predator Ordinance and served as its Special Master.

Her memberships have included the Florida Bar Pro Bono Legal Services Committee, 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.

She is a recipient of the Chief Justice’s Distinguished Judicial Service Award from the Florida State Supreme Court (2017) and the Jurist of the Year Award from the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (2017).

Norton was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and graduated from the Bolles School. When not presiding over legal proceedings, she enjoys writing, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

She is registered as a Democrat.