Early Life
John Bryan Morgan was born on March 31, 1956, in Lexington, Kentucky. He is the eldest of five children. When Morgan was fourteen years old, his family moved to Winter Park, Florida. He began working at an early age to help his family financially. In 1974, he enrolled at the University of Florida, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1978 and a Juris Doctor in 1982 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. While at the 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, and Cunningham in Orlando. He left in 1985 to co-found Griffin, Morgan & Linder, a partnership that lasted three years. In 1988, he founded Morgan & Morgan, which has grown to become America's largest personal injury law firm. The firm's aggressive advertising strategy, particularly on television and radio, was initially controversial but proved successful. Morgan's firm has expanded significantly and, as of 2025, has over 1,000 attorneys and over 3,000 employees across the United States.
Key Business Strategies
Morgan's firm is known for representing individuals injured due to the negligence of others, and they have expanded into various areas of legal services. The firm's success is attributed to its client-focused approach and commitment to helping those in need. Morgan was one of the first lawyers to advertise in phone books and television commercials, which was a key factor in the firm's rapid growth. The firm’s revenue in 2023 was just over $2 billion. Morgan & Morgan has an aggressive marketing strategy, with $350 million spent on advertising annually.
Philanthropy
Morgan has been involved in significant philanthropic endeavors. He and his wife, Ultima, have donated millions to various causes, including the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, the Harbor House Domestic Abuse Shelter, and the Community Bail Fund. Furthermore, inspired by his brother's paralysis and cancer, Morgan has been involved in efforts to legalize medical cannabis in Florida since 2013, contributing $6.5 million towards the cause.
