Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Virginia Baker Norton of Jacksonville is one of four potential nominees selected for three vacancies on the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida bench.
The state Federal Judicial Nominating Commission Middle District Conference interviewed 10 candidates on Monday in Orlando. Its chair, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, then sent a letter to U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio recommending Norton, along with 2nd District Court of Appeal Judge John Badalamenti, 5th District Court of Appeal Judge Wendy Berger and 13th Judicial Circuit Judge Tom Barber of Tampa as finalists.
Nelson, a Democrat, and Rubio, a Republican, will make recommendations to President Donald Trump for his consideration regarding the vacancies.
Norton was elected in 2008 and re-elected without opposition in 2014 for a six-year term.
A graduate of The Bolles School, she received a bachelor’s in rhetoric and communications from the University of Virginia in 1994 and in 1997, her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Norton began her career at the Jacksonville law firm Moseley, Warren, Prichard and Parrish. She was assistant city general counsel from 1999 until her election to circuit court.
In January, she received the 2017 Chief Justice’s Distinguished Judicial Service Award from the state Supreme Court. Norton serves on The Florida Bar Pro Bono Legal Services Committee.
The Middle District comprises 35 of the state’s 67 counties from Fort Myers north to Jacksonville.