About Us

Norton White is acknowledged as a leader in the practice of transport law with specialised teams devoted to aerospace, maritime, logistics, and tourism.  We advise industry and insurers on liability, regulatory, corporate and commercial matters. 

Our origins can be traced back to the practice commenced by James Norton in 1818 in Sydney and later Norton Smith & Co.

Today, Norton White is a firm with strong international focus and connections. Our practice serves the needs of a diverse range of local and international clients.

fundamentals

Norton White provides legal services across a wide field with a focus on transport and commercial transactions. Our objective is to provide the highest level of expertise in the fields in which we operate.

Norton White clients will always receive target and practical legal advice. Our lawyers are always accessible and are committed to understanding our clients requirements. We are also pride ourselves on:

  • a commitment to the highest standards

  • an in-depth understanding of the industries in which our clients operate

  • providing practical, commercial advice

  • a focus on consistent quality of advice and services.


Awards

Doyles Guide 2022

  • Mark Mackrell & Ben Martin - Preeminent Aviation Lawyers

IFLR 1000 Expert Guide 2022

  • “Best of the Best Global” ranking of top 30 Aviation Law practitioners in the world

14th Edition of Best Lawyers in Australia 2022

  • Ben Martin

  • Mark Mackrell

Chambers 2021

  • Mark Mackrell named Leading Lawyer in Aviation Liability

Doyles Guide 2021

  • Ben Martin - Preeminent Aviation Lawyer

  • Mark Mackrell - Preeminent Aviation Lawyer

Global Law Experts 2021

  • Aviation Litigation Law Firm of the Year in Australia

Who’s Who Legal: Transport 2021

  • Mark Mackrell - Aviation

  • Ben Martin - Aviation

Best Lawyers in Australia 2021

  • Ben Martin

  • Mark Mackrell

IAE Award 2020

  • Mark Mackrell 2020 International Advisory Experts Award

Doyles Guide 2020

  • First Tier Leading Aviation Law Firm

  • Preeminent Aviation Lawyers Ben Martin & Mark Mackrell

Global Law Experts Annual Awards 2020

  • Norton White named Aviation Litigation Law Firm of the Year in Australia

Best Lawyers In Australia 2020

  • Ben Martin Best Lawyer in Aviation 

  •  Mark Mackrell Best Lawyer in Aviation 

Finance Monthly Legal Awards 2019

  • Aviation Law Firm of the Year - Australia

Best Lawyers In Australia 2019

  • Ben Martin Best Lawyer in Aviation 

  • Mark Mackrell Best Lawyer in Aviation

Who's Who Legal Aviation 2019

  • Ben Martin Contentious, Finance and Regulatory

Global Law Experts 2018

  • Aviation Litigation Law Firm of the Year in Australia

Lawyer Monthly 2018

  • Ben Martin Aviation Lawyer of the Year in Australia 

  • Mark Mackrell Aviation Lawyer of the Year in Australia 

 Global Business Insight 2018

  • Ben Martin Most Innovative in Aviation Law Australia

  • Mark Mackrell Most Influential in Aviation Law Australia

Best Lawyers in Australia 2025 Edition

  • Ben Martin - “Lawyer of the Year” Aviation Law, Sydney

  • Mark Mackrell - Aviation Law

  • Adam Martin - Transportation Law

Doyles Guide 2024

Leading Aviation Lawyers, Australia 2024

  • Mark Mackrell - Preeminent

  • Ben Martin - Preeminent

  • Nick Humphrey - Recommended

  • Keira Nelson - Recommended

Transport Law Rising Stars, Australia 2024

  • Brendan Lord - Rising Star

Leading Aviation Firms

  • Norton White - First Tier

Leading Admiralty, Shipping & Maritime Law Firms

  • Norton White - Recommended

Who’s Who Legal 2024

Ben Martin

  • Transport Aviation Contentious - Global Elite Thought Leader

  • Transport Aviation Finance - Global Elite Thought Leader

  • Thought Leaders Global Elite Transport Aviation Contentious - Global Elite Thought Leader

  • Transport Aviation Regulatory - Recommended

  • Australia & New Zealand Transport Aviation - Recommended

Mark Mackrell

  • Transport Aviation Contentious - Global Elite Thought Leader

  • Thought Leaders Global Elite Transport Aviation Contentious - Global Elite Thought Leader

  • Transport Aviation Finance - Recommended

  • Transport Aviation Regulatory - Recommended

  • Australia & New Zealand Transport Aviation - Recommended

Nick Humphrey

  • Transport Aviation Contentious - Recommended

  • Transport Aviation Finance - Recommended

  • Transport Aviation Regulatory - Recommended

  • Transport Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Recommended

Leading Advisor Awards 2023

  • Ben Martin - Leading Commercial & Aviation Lawyer of the Year

Best Lawyers 2023

  • Ben Martin

  • Mark Mackrell - Lawyer of the Year, Aviation Law

Chambers And Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2023

  • Ben Martin - Band 2 Aviation

  • Mark Mackrell - Spotlight

  • Aviation: Liability - Spotlight

2023 Corporate INTL Global Awards

Aviation Law Firm of the Year in Australia - 2023

Who’s Who Legal 2022

Mark Mackrell & Ben Martin

Nick Humphrey

  • Thought Leaders Global Elite - Transport - Aviation Contentious

  • National Leader Australia & New Zealand - Transport - Aviation

  • Transport - Aviation Contentious

  • Transport - Aviation Finance

  • Transport - Aviation Regulatory