Overview

Sam D. Norton is a Shareholder in the firm’s Real Estate and Lending Transactions Practice Group. He focuses his practice on real estate, banking, corporate, and business transactions, advising clients on a broad range of commercial real estate and business matters.

Before joining Trenam, Sam practiced for decades at a respected Sarasota law firm, where he built a longstanding reputation advising businesses, lenders, developers, and property owners throughout the region.

Sam earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Florida in 1981 and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law in 1984. While at Stetson, he served on the Law Review. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1985 and is Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar. Sam also holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence and ethical standards.

A longtime leader in the Sarasota community, Sam previously served as Chairman of the Joint Committee of the Sarasota Board of Realtors and Sarasota County Bar Association. He has also served on the boards of numerous nonprofit and civic organizations, including the American Heart Association, Senior Friendship Centers Foundation, Plymouth Harbor Continuing Care Retirement Community, Suncoast Foundation, Sarasota Film Festival, The Education Foundation of Sarasota County, and the Downtown Partnership of Sarasota.

In addition, Sam serves on the Board of Directors for Gulfside Bank and the Argus Foundation.

Honors and Distinctions

  • AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell
  • Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Real Estate, 2022-2023
  • SRQ Magazine‘s Elite Top Attorney, Real Estate, 2023-2025

Professional Involvement

  • Sarasota County Bar Association
  • Joint Committee of the Sarasota Board of Realtors/Sarasota County Bar Association, past Chairman
  • Gulfside Bank, Board of Directors
  • Sarasota Bank, Former Board Member
  • Insignia Bank, Former Board Member

Community Involvement

  • Argus Foundation, Board Member
  • University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies, Former Board Member