About Norton Barristers

Norton Barristers is a criminal and regulatory defence practice in Toronto, led by principal lawyer Philip Norton and also operating under the name Philip Norton Criminal Defence. The firm handles criminal and quasi-criminal litigation at trial and on appeal, along with professional discipline and conduct hearings in health law and policing. Norton clerked for judges of the Superior Court of Justice before being called to the bar, and has since appeared as counsel at every level of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

On the regulatory side, the firm represents lawyers, paralegals, health care workers, and police officers who face investigations or hearings before their professional regulators, in matters that can touch on employment law, occupational health and safety, and professional licensing. The firm also takes appellate referrals from other trial lawyers, focusing on identifying legal errors that led to a conviction or an excessive sentence. Norton belongs to the Law Society of Ontario, the Toronto Lawyers' Association, the Criminal Lawyers' Association, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Advocates' Society, and the firm is listed with Legal Aid Ontario as accepting certificates for criminal matters, extremely serious matters, and Gladue related proceedings.

Milestones & recognition

  • Philip Norton clerked for judges of the Superior Court of Justice before being called to the bar.
  • Norton has appeared as counsel at every level of court in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
  • Norton is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Toronto Lawyers' Association, the Criminal Lawyers' Association, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Advocates' Society.
  • The firm is listed with Legal Aid Ontario as accepting certificates for criminal, extremely serious matters, and Gladue related work.

Good to know

A calendar with a checkmark beside a clockBy appointment

The neighbourhood

The office sits on the third floor of 144 King Street East, a 1907 building known historically as the Bank of Commerce and designed by the Toronto architecture firm Darling and Pearson. The building anchors the corner of King Street East and Jarvis Street, across from St. Lawrence Hall and on the same block as St. James' Cathedral, inside the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District. The site traces back to the original Church Reserve of the Town of York, and the building's Beaux Arts detailing is cited as part of what still gives that stretch of Old Toronto its heritage character.

Frequently asked questions

Does Norton Barristers handle a criminal case from trial through to appeal?
Yes. The firm takes on criminal and quasi-criminal matters at trial and on appeal, and it also accepts appellate referrals from other trial lawyers who want a second look for legal errors that led to a conviction or an excessive sentence.
Can Norton Barristers represent me in a professional discipline hearing?
The firm represents lawyers, paralegals, health care workers, and police officers facing investigations or hearings before their professional regulators, including matters connected to employment law, occupational health and safety, and professional licensing.
Does the firm accept Legal Aid, including Gladue certificates?
Norton Barristers is listed with Legal Aid Ontario as accepting certificates for criminal matters, extremely serious matters, and Gladue related proceedings.
Has Philip Norton argued a case at the Supreme Court of Canada?
Norton has appeared as counsel at every level of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, after clerking for judges of the Superior Court of Justice before being called to the bar.
Is Norton Barristers a large firm?
The firm is centred on Philip Norton, its principal lawyer, working out of a single Toronto office on King Street East.
How do I reach Norton Barristers or set up a consultation?
The firm's office is at 144 King Street East, Third Floor, Toronto, and its contact page invites potential clients to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss their case.

Where to find them

144 King Street East, Third Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1G8 · 416-648-8161

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Listing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗