Early Life
John Bryan Morgan was born on March 31, 1956, in Lexington, Kentucky. The eldest of five children, he moved with his family to Winter Park, Florida, at the age of fourteen. Growing up, Morgan experienced financial struggles, which led him to take on various jobs. He attended the University of Florida, earning a bachelor's degree in arts in 1978. To fund his studies at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, he took an 18-month hiatus selling ads. He earned his Juris Doctor in 1982. During his time at university, he was elected president of the Florida Blue Key society.
Rise to Success
After graduating from law school in 1982, Morgan began his legal career at the law firm of Billings, Morgan (no relation) and Cunningham in Orlando. In 1985, he co-founded the law firm Griffin, Morgan & Linder, but the partnership ended after three years due to differences in marketing approaches. Morgan strongly advocated for advertising on television, a controversial practice at the time. In 1988, he established Morgan & Morgan with the goal of representing individuals against powerful corporations and insurance companies. The firm expanded rapidly, becoming one of the largest personal injury law firms in the United States.
Key Business Strategies
Morgan's success is significantly attributed to aggressive marketing strategies, including extensive advertising on television and radio. He was one of the first lawyers to utilize these mediums. Morgan's dedication to his clients and his firm's unique business model, which focuses on representing the injured, have fueled its growth and profitability. The firm's commitment to not representing large corporations or insurance companies has also contributed to its distinctive brand identity.
Philanthropy
Morgan and his wife, Ultima, have been major donors and fundraisers, supporting initiatives such as Boys Town Orlando and Annunciation Catholic Academy. They have also contributed $2 million to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and $1 million toward a domestic abuse shelter. Furthermore, Morgan has been involved in political campaigns, including efforts to legalize medical cannabis and raise the minimum wage in Florida. He plans to leave his estate to charity, with the hope that it will exceed $1 billion.