John Morgan (lawyer)

John Morgan
Born John Bryan Morgan
(1956-03-31) March 31, 1956
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Education University of Florida (BA, JD)
Occupation Personal injury/class action/injury lawyer
Years active 1984–present
Political party Democratic (Before 2017)
Independent (2017–present)
Spouse(s) Ultima Ann Degnan, 1982-present (4 children)
Website Official website

John Bryan Morgan (born March 31, 1956)[1] is an American lawyer. He is the founder of a class action and personal injury law firm, Morgan & Morgan.[2]

Biography

Morgan was born in Lexington, Kentucky, the eldest of five children. When Morgan was 14, his family moved to Winter Park, Florida. In 1988, Morgan founded the Morgan & Morgan PA law firm with his wife in Orlando, Florida.[3]

Morgan met his wife, Ultima Degnan, while studying law at the University of Florida. Together they have four children. Their three sons joined Morgan & Morgan upon completing law school.[4]

Morgan has been heavily involved in efforts to legalize medical marijuana in Florida.[5][6] He is the chairman of United for Care.

In 2014, Morgan campaigned to pass Amendment 2, which was ultimately lost by a small margin.[7][8]

Medical marijuana appeared again as Amendment 2 on the November 2016 ballot. Morgan contributed heavily to the Yes efforts by donating $6.5 million along with television and radio advertisements personally supporting the measure.[9] The amendment was approved 71.3% to 28.7%, surpassing the 60% requirement for constitutional amendments.[10]

Political positions and activities

Morgan stated in November 2016 that he was considering running for Governor of Florida in the 2018 election.[11] On November 24, 2017, he announced on Twitter that he was disillusioned with the current state of American politics and was leaving the Democratic Party to register as an independent.[12]

Morgan has pledged he would spend $1 million to raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15. [13] Since December 2017, Morgan & Morgan, P.A. has donated $478,158 to the political committee Florida For A Fair Wage. [14]

Philanthropy

Morgan and his wife Ultima made a two million dollar donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.[15][16]

Morgan donated to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "John Morgan". www.familysearch.org. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  2. ↑ http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/john-morgan-the-bombastic-omnipresent-lawyer-fueling-floridas-2014-election/2154772
  3. ↑ "John Morgan Unplugged". Florida Trend. December 1, 2003. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Ben Pollara: John Morgan — The Lion in climate-controlled fall". Orlando Rising. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Florida medical marijuana amendment debate". FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay. October 13, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Florida medical marijuana debate (Part 1)". WESH 2 News. October 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, Amendment 2 (2014)". Ballotpedia. November 4, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Amendment 2: Medical marijuana initiative defeated in Florida". ABC News Channel 9. November 5, 2014.
  9. ↑ Richardson, Matthew (November 9, 2016). "John Morgan shares details, timeline for medical marijuana businesses". Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization, Amendment 2 (2016)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  11. ↑ Lemongello, Steven (November 18, 2016). "John Morgan confirms he's pondering run for governor". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  12. ↑ Dixon, Matt (November 24, 2017). "John Morgan: I'm leaving Democratic party, Nelson should run for governor". Politico. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  13. ↑ Caputo, Marc (October 18, 2017). "Morgan pledges $1M for 'living wage' fight". Politico. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  14. ↑ "John Morgan contributes another $154,000 in minimum wage campaign". Tampa Bay Times. May 11, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Getting to know "For the People" attorney John Morgan with this week's "10 questions"". ABC ACTION NEWS. November 17, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Building Solutions to Hunger". Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. May 31, 2012.
  17. ↑ Chozick, Amy; Martin, Jonathan (September 3, 2016). "Where Has Hillary Clinton Been? Ask the Ultrarich". The New York Times. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
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