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Sam Norton

Partner | Accredited Criminal Law Specialist, BA, LLB

Sam Norton has over 20 years of experience in criminal law having been admitted to practice in 2001. He has been an accredited criminal law specialist since 2008 and a partner of Stary Norton Halphen & Galballysince 2010. Sam has been recognised by Doyles Guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer for consecutive years and a Leading Criminal Lawyer in Australia.

Throughout his career, Sam has handled thousands of serious cases. His decision-making and advocacy are his primary areas of expertise. The majority of his work is for clients who are pleading not guilty, and Sam draws upon his skills as both a solicitor and advocate to defend people in contested hearings in the Magistrates’ Court, or before a Judge and Jury in the Supreme Court or County Court. He appears in trials and plea hearings for people charged with the full range of serious crimes, including murder and manslaughter,culpable and dangerous driving, drug importation and trafficking and serious sexual matters. He has significant experience in representing people accused of white-collar crime, including having acted in multiple foreign bribery cases and many fraud-related matters.

Sam is a mentor to many lawyers, both at Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally and in the broader criminal law.

Pre-eminent Criminal Defence Lawyer & Leading Traffic & DUI Lawyer & Recommended White Collar Crime Lawyer in 2025

We are proud to share that Sam Norton, an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, has once again been recognised as a Pre-eminent Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide. This recognition reflects Sam’s extensive courtroom experience, strategic advocacy, and commitment to achieving outstanding results for his clients. He has also been recognised as a Leading Traffic & DUI Lawyer for 2025 which shows his expertise across Traffic Offences, Drink Driving, Drug Driving and other vehicle related offences. Additionally, Sam has been recognised as a Recommended White Collar Crime Lawyer, further highlighting his versatility and proficiency in various areas of criminal law.

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Case Studies
Averted Affray Prosecution Through Self-Defence Analysis
Averted Affray Prosecution Through Self-Defence Analysis
Mercy for a Vulnerable Woman Facing Jail Time
Mercy for a Vulnerable Woman Facing Jail Time
Young People and Sexual Offending
Young People and Sexual Offending
Cultivating Cannabis in a Commercial Quantity 
Cultivating Cannabis in a Commercial Quantity 

Respected by clients. Proven results.

  • Sam helped us with a serious driving charge This was the first time we had any dealings with a criminal lawyer so we have no previous experience but I can’t see how anyone else could have been more professional or caring Thank you Sam!!

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    Nick & Sophia, Google Review

  • Sam and his team at Stary Norton Halphen, were compassionate, professional and client centric. They were transparent, strategic and achieved a positive outcome.

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    Anna McGlade, Google Review

  • Sam helped steer us through an extremely difficult situation. He is without doubt a first class operator and I was blown away by his preparation and attention to detail. Needless to say the outcome was in our favour and we're now able to get on with our lives. Not only would I recommend Sam but I wouldn't hesitate to call him should the need arise.

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    Derrick Hodges, Google Review

  • Can’t thank Sam and Louise enough your caring and honesty you helped my family so much going above and beyond and Louise sometimes becoming my counsellor if I could give ten stars I would words cannot thankyou enough, I highly recommend these guys wouldn’t put my trust in anyone else if anyone needs helps these are your people thankyou again.

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    Maria Tate, Google Review

  • I highly recommend Sam Norton and of course Lauren the amazing support behind the man, they were professional and strategic and extremely thorough from start to finish, they explained everything clearly, prepared meticulously and handled the case with confidence and skill in court. Most importantly they achieved a fantastic outcome and I am extremely grateful for their expertise and support during a stressful time.

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    Emma Bobridge, Google Review

  • Attorney Sam Norton defended a person very dear to me from a false and defamatory accusation. I was able to appreciate, albeit indirectly, his outstanding and professional work that ensured the freedom of an innocent person. I am deeply grateful to him.

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    DMP, Google Review

  • I'd like to point out that my knowledge of attorney Sam Norton is indirect, but after representing my brother during a delicate and stressful year, I can confirm his impeccable performance: he developed a steely defense and a winning strategy. He grasped and analyzed every detail, perfecting and concluding the case admirably.
    I can only commend his professionalism and expertise.
    I congratulate him and extend my deepest thanks for his assistance.

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    Anna Personeni, Google Review

  • I had the opportunity to engage with Stary Norton during a very difficult time. Sam Norton and his partner Andrew Halphen provided not just vast experience of the legal system but managed to bring perspective through a consultative approach to navigate the process ahead of me while being patient with me, explaining each step of the way and legal jargon where needed. At all times, Sam communicated clearly throughout the process together and provided confidence to me that I had chosen the right firm to represent me.

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    David Buckley-Bolt, Google Review

  • Sam is just amazing. I've never known such a wonderful lawyer and so abreast of everything. Not a single issue overlooked. Im very grateful to him. Restored my faith in the legal profession.

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
    Stephanie Lloyd, Google Review

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