History of John Morgan (lawyer) in Timeline

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

March 31, 1956: John Morgan Born

On March 31, 1956, John Bryan Morgan, the future founder of Morgan & Morgan, was born. He is an American attorney based in Florida and is now a billionaire.

1974: Enrolled at the University of Florida

In 1974, John Morgan enrolled at the University of Florida to pursue higher education.

1978: Earned Bachelor's Degree

In 1978, John Morgan earned a bachelor's degree in arts from the University of Florida.

May 1982: Married Ultima Degnan

In May 1982, John Morgan married Ultima Degnan, whom he met while studying law.

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: Considering Running for Governor

In November 2016, John Morgan stated that he was considering running for Governor of Florida in the 2018 election.

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: Donation to Hillary Clinton's Campaign

In 2016, John Morgan donated to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

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".

November 24, 2017: Left Democratic Party

On November 24, 2017, John Morgan 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.

2018: Considering Running for Governor in 2018

In 2018, John Morgan considered running for Governor of Florida.

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.

2018: Lawsuit Against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

In 2018, Morgan & Morgan was involved in a major lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

October 2019: Signatures Acquired for Minimum Wage Amendment

In October 2019, John Morgan announced that he had acquired enough signatures to get the minimum wage amendment on the ballot in November 2020.

August 2020: Donation to Biden Victory Fund

In August 2020, John Morgan gave $355,000 to the Biden Victory Fund.

November 3, 2020: Minimum Wage Amendment Passed

On November 3, 2020, the amendment to raise the hourly minimum wage to $15 passed via a statewide referendum concurrent with other elections.

November 2020: Minimum Wage Amendment on the Ballot

In November 2020, the minimum wage amendment was on the ballot, with John Morgan aiming to raise Florida's minimum wage to $15.

2021: Marketing Department Firing After Controversial Ad Campaign

In 2021, Morgan's law firm, Morgan & Morgan, fired half of its marketing department following a controversial "Size Matters" advertising campaign.

August 2022: Starred in Metaverse Commercial

In August 2022, John Morgan starred in his firm's commercial using the metaverse.

2022: Morgan & Morgan Size in 2022

As of 2022, Morgan & Morgan had over 3,000 employees, including 800 lawyers, in 49 states.

January 2024: Mentioned Possibility of Running for Governor in 2026

In January 2024, John Morgan mentioned the possibility of running as a centrist independent candidate in Florida's 2026 gubernatorial election.

December 2024: Consideration of Running Under Capitalist Party

During an interview with Politico in December 2024, John Morgan said that he would run under the "Capitalist Party" if he runs for governor in 2026 and would support the legalization of marijuana and prostitution, oppose allowing transgender students to play in sports that match their gender identity, and described himself as being anti-monopoly.

April 13, 2026: Announced Not Running for Governor

On April 13, 2026, John Morgan announced on an X post that he would not run for governor but would create a new political party and announced a $100,000 contest to name the party.