Philip Norborne Nicholas (1773 – August 18, 1849) was an American lawyer and jurist from Virginia.

William Wirt and Edmund Randolph defended Sweeney, obtaining an acquittal on the murder charge, but the jury found Sweeney guilty of forging George Wythe’s checks on the Bank of Virginia.

The acquittal was based on Virginia law that the testimony of African-Americans that Nicholas had relied upon, could not be used against white men.

[2] Nicholas' career in Richmond included serving as the President of Farmer’s Bank.

[3] In 1823, Philip N. Nicholas was appointed judge to the Virginia General Court, where he served until his death.