John W. Morris

Of Counsel

Work: 215-735-8700
Direct: 215-772-2290
E-mail: jmorris@kcr-law.com

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Overview

After receiving his bachelors degree in philosophy, earning his law degree, and practicing for three years with the Philadelphia firm of Clark, Ladner, Fortenbaugh & Young, Mr. Morris joined the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. His four years in that office included service as First Assistant from 1975 through 1977. He then returned to private practice specializing in litigation with the firm of Pierson, Jones and Morris. In 1982, Mr. Morris became a sole practitioner with a practice divided between corporate representations and litigation, including white-collar criminal defense and management of national litigation for Reading Entertainment, Inc. (formerly Reading Railroad) and New Piper Aircraft. He joined KCR as Of Counsel in 2005.

Mr. Morris is the referral lawyer of choice of many prominent attorneys in the region. As such, he has tried numerous high-profile criminal and civil cases. As an appellate lawyer, he has argued a wide range of cases in the state and federal systems. He frequently represents attorneys and judges in the disciplinary system.

Education
Yale University, B.A. 1967
University of Pennsylvania, J.D. 1970
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Activities and Honors
Mr. Morris has served two terms on the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, as Chairman of its Rules Committee, and on the Board of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

In 1999, he was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board where he was Chairman from 2001 to 2003.

Mr. Morris has taught and lectured on trial practice at Temple, Harvard, Emory, and Cardozo law schools and at NITA regional and national programs.

Mr. Morris has been repeatedly recognized as a Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer” in Philadelphia Magazine.

He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

In 2008, Mr. Morris was appointed by the Governor to serve as a Judge on the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline. Mr. Morris served as President Judge of that Court until the expiration of his term in 2012.

Mr. Morris has served as a court-appointed arbitrator, mediator, and trustee in state and federal courts.

Representative Cases

Case 1

Represented New Piper Aircraft in national litigation

Case 2

Represented the City of Philadelphia in the prison overcrowding litigation

Case 3

Represented Reading Company in recovery of asbestos insurance coverage

Case 4

Represented the Philadelphia Police Commissioner in the City’s MOVE litigation

Case 5

Represented an airline executive in securities fraud litigation

Case 6

Represented local bank in fraud case against brokerage firm

Case 7

Representation of Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers in challenge to Fair Share Act

Case 8

Conducted a RICO defense of a healthcare provider

Case 9

Numerous representations of lawyers and judges in disciplinary matters