Attorney Profile

Admitted to Florida Bar, 1983, Florida; U.S. District Court, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida; U.S. District Court of Appeals, 5th and 11th Circuits; United States Supreme Court. 

EDUCATION:

• Davidson College (BA., 1977).
• University of Florida Law School (1981).
• Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (J.D., 1982).

   

AREAS OF PRACTICE:

• Prosecution of Rape Cases that occur in Nursing Homes in Civil Court
• Personal Injury
• Appeals
• United States Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court Appellate Practice
• Nursing Home Abuse Cases - ResidentsÂ’ Rights
• VictimsÂ’ Rights
• Family Law
• HMO - Abuse and Failure to Cover Medical Bills for Doctors
• Eminent Domain

   

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:

• Super Lawyer Association Promulgated by Law & Politics Magazine
• The Florida Bar.
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (AFTL).
• Jacksonville Bar Association.
• Volunteer Legal Aid Society.
• Florida Academy of Civil Defense Lawyers.
• Committee Chairman for food drive for Salvation Army.
• Member, First Coast Trial Lawyers.
• Second place in consideration for Jacksonville Bar Pro Bono award of 1996.
• Jacksonville Bar Association - Committee on Professionalism.
• Member, Florida LawyerÂ’s Action Group (F.L.A.G.).

   

EXPERIENCE:

Mr. Morrow prosecuted in civil court a known sexual offender who attacked an elderly nursing home patient. The Defendant was hired by the nursing home even though he had a prior known offense against another elderly woman in a nursing home in St. Augustine. The case was featured in newspapers throughout the State of Florida and also in the national media. The case was successfully concluded and was styled Mellion vs. Magnolia Manor. CBS news and Fox news have featured Mr. Morrow’s attempts to strengthen sexual predator laws in nursing homes. He has lobbied for both federal and state laws to check for criminal records of residents being moved into nursing homes among vulnerable elderly and helpless adults. This was highlighted in the case of Thurston vs. Southwood Nursing Home. The sexual predator in that case had 59 prior arrests and convictions and two prior sexual assault convictions.

Another rape case that occurred in a nursing home that has also been reported extensively, that Mr. Morrow is prosecuting in civil court is Jane Doe vs. Jacksonville Nursing & Rehab. Center. In that case, the nursing home's male nursing assistant was investigated by the police at his prior employment at a hospital for sexually assaulting a patient.

Mr. Morrow was among only 5 other lawyers in all of North Florida that have been selected as a “super lawyer” by Law and Politics Magazine. Super lawyers are rated by the legal profession on how well they try cases in court.

Mr. Morrow also prosecuted a high profile case entitled Estate of Jane Doe vs. Mariner Nursing Home, where Ms. Tyler, a helpless elderly paralyzed patient, was never moved or given a bath for an extensive period of time which created and caused significant and horrific bed sores on her heel, which in turn, required her doctors to amputate her leg.

He has also prosecuted for the State of Florida, Medicaid fraud that occurred in nursing homes.

Mr. Morrow has also handled auto accident litigation. He brought to court a five time convicted criminal defendant who crossed over the median on I-95 and ran head-on into a school teacher, causing serious permanent and significant injuries in the case of Thomas vs. Walker. He has also brought to court and prosecuted drivers who caused the death or serious permanent injuries of victims, and he has tried wrongful death cases against defendants charged with D.U.I. manslaughter.


Mr. Morrow has worked with Stephen Stratford, a renowned eminent domain and condemnation lawyer and has been associated with Mr. Stratford on eminent domain proceedings.

Mr. Morrow has represented police officers in injury cases, adoption cases and divorce proceedings. He has represented fireman on collection cases and garnishment actions. He has also represented professional football players and contracts. He has served as a guardian ad litem for both minor children and elderly clients who have needed protection in the legal system. He has brought to court carjackers who have injured people. In short, he has handled legal cases from A - Z (adoption to zoning).

Over one hundred (100) jury trials; including civil, personal injury; wrongful death and criminal law; Over one hundred (100) appeals - Oral arguments before Florida Supreme Court. The death penalty and conviction was reversed after oral arguments in Roundtree v. State , 546 So.2d 1042 (Fla. 1989) and the real murderer, Mr. Brown, remains on death row; Successful in a civil appellate question on the issue of entitlement to attorneyÂ’s fees within the purview of the "Offer of Judgment" statute before The Florida Supreme Court in the case of Arends v. Ball , 703 So.2d 1062 (Fla. 1998); Also argued a Petition for Habeas Corpus regarding brain damage issues before the Florida Supreme Court in the case of Kokal v. State , 718 So.2d 138 (Fla.1998); Filed Writs of Certiorari in U.S. Supreme Court; Handled the Trial and Appellate Case that was featured on the cover of National Law Journal in 1985; Successfully prosecuted in civil court several negligent companies on behalf of innocent victims. Appeared and discussed the issues of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases for the television show "Legal Issues Facing Jacksonville" with Rick Malloney, General Counsel; Taught Several Continuing Legal Education classes on Nursing Home Litigation; Sponsored Several Continuing Legal Education Courses; Attorney Ad Litem and Guardian Attorney for the Hipps Road Toxic Waste Class Action Case that involved 1,300 class action plaintiffs that were adults, minors and incompetents; Handled the case of VanDyk v. Breakaway Lounge  where a jury verdict of $25 million was imposed against the criminal defendant; Staff Counsel to Local 630 Labor Union; Counsel to Independent Truckers Associations Network. Eagle Sponsor for the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers; Member, F.L.A.M.E.; Member, Elder Law Section of Florida Bar; Member, Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar

 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

• Bishop Kenny High School Football Coach
• HabiJax, Riverside Presbyterian - Life - Style Stewardship;
• Nation Chief - YMCAÂ’s Indian Princess Program.
• Volunteer - American Cancer Society for Three Counties.
• Volunteer - St. JohnÂ’s Presbyterian Fund Raiser.
• Volunteer - Ortega Elementary Fund Raiser.
• Volunteer - Food Donations to Trinity Mission.

   

Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney.

National Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney

DESIGNATION: SUPER LAWYER

See Southern Sailfish Association.

Certified Civil Trial Attorney, Florida Bar Board.

Florida, 1983
U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

REPRESENTATIVE CASES: 

 Roundtree v. State, 546 So.2d 1042 (Fla. S. Ct. 1989) - The Supreme Court of Florida

Arends v. Ball, 703 So. 2d 1062 (Fla. S. Ct. 1998) - The Supreme Court of Florida

 Estate of Refzel v. CSX Transportation, Inc., 586 So. 2d 1247 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991)

Champion v. Champion, 582 So. 2d 632 (Fla. 1st DCA) [Later Filed in the United States Supreme Court]

VanDyk v. Southside Gun, Inc., 638 So. 2d 38 (Fla. 1st DCA 1994)

Myricks v. Luhrs Corp., 689 So. 2d 416 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997)

Span v. Orange Environmental, 561 So. 2d 1152 (Fla. 1st DCA)

IN RE: Forfeiture of '85 Mercedes, 596 So. 2d 1261 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992)

 

 

Professor of Several Continuing Legal Education Classes on Nursing Home Litigation, Ethic, Automobile Negligence

Volunteer, Legal Aid Society, President of the Southern Sailfish Association