Career Timeline of John Morgan (lawyer): Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 18, 2026

How John Morgan (lawyer) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

John Bryan Morgan is an American attorney and the founder of the personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan. Based in Florida, he has achieved significant financial success as a billionaire through his legal practice.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1982: Received Juris Doctor

In 1982, John Morgan received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

1982: Began Legal Career at Billings, Morgan and Cunningham

In 1982, after graduating from law school, John Morgan started his legal career at the law firm of Billings, Morgan (no relation) and Cunningham in Orlando.

1985: Co-founded Griffin, Morgan & Linder

In 1985, John Morgan left Billings, Morgan and Cunningham to co-found the law firm Griffin, Morgan & Linder.

1988: Founded Morgan, Colling & Gilbert

In 1988, John Morgan became a founding partner at Morgan, Colling & Gilbert.

1989: Law Firm Started Aggressive Advertising

In 1989, the law firm Morgan, Colling & Gilbert began advertising aggressively, especially on television and radio, drawing criticism.

2005: Morgan, Colling & Gilbert Expansion

By 2005, Morgan, Colling & Gilbert expanded throughout Florida with 420 employees.

2005: Renamed Firm Morgan & Morgan

In 2005, John Morgan bought out his partners' share of the company and renamed the firm Morgan & Morgan, also adding his wife Ultima as a partner.

2013: Firm Expansion to Multiple States

By 2013, John Morgan's company had 260 attorneys among 1,800 staffers in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, and New York City.

2013: Donation to Second Harvest Food Bank

In 2013, John Morgan and his wife donated $2 million to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

2013: Started Efforts to Legalize Medical Cannabis

Motivated by his younger brother Tim Morgan's paralysis and struggle with cancer, John Morgan has been involved in efforts to legalize medical cannabis in Florida since 2013.

2015: Pledged Donation to Harbor House

In 2015, John and Ultima Morgan pledged $1 million toward a $7.4 million Harbor House domestic abuse shelter.

November 2016: Medical Cannabis Appeared on Ballot

In November 2016, medical cannabis appeared as 2016 Florida Amendment 2 on the ballot, with John Morgan contributing $6.5 million and running TV and radio ads in support.

2016: Medical Cannabis Legalized in Florida

In 2016, the medical use of cannabis in Florida was legalized by way of a constitutional amendment, with the initiative, appearing on the ballot as Amendment 2, approved with 71% of the vote. Morgan and Jimmy Buffett were partners in a medical cannabis company called "Coral Reefer".

2018: Firm's Success in Cases and Advertising

In 2018, Morgan & Morgan received over two million phone calls, signed up 500 new cases each day, collected $1.5 billion in settlements, and spent $130 million nationwide on advertising.