Michael J. Norton

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 counsel at Thomas N. Scheffel & Associates P.C. in Denver, and previously at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).^[5] Until 2015, he focused 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.

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.