John M. Morris

John M. Morris

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016
Awarded Practice Areas
Appellate Practice
Awarded Practice Areas
Appellate Practice
John M. Morris
John M. Morris
San Diego, CA
Works at
Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP

28 Best Lawyers awards

Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP logo

Biography

Known for being a clear thinker and articulate writer, HFM Partner John Morris uses his expertise to creatively negotiate compensation, representing plaintiffs and defendants as both appellants and respondents.

Mr. Morris' practice is devoted exclusively to civil appeals, and during his nearly 38 years at HFM, he has served as lead appellate counsel in hundreds of cases in California Courts of Appeal and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. He has also appeared before the California Supreme Court.

His recent accomplishments include the reversal of a $6 million dollar judgment against a Coronado real estate developer on a fraud claim, the reversal of another $6 million judgment against an Escondido Ford dealer on an employment claim, and the affirmance of a $3 million judgment in favor of a South County motel owner in an eminent domain case.

Mr. Morris works with his clients to negotiate compensation in creative ways that meet the individual needs. He is agreeable to reasonable hourly fee arrangements; negotiated fixed fee arrangements; and, in appropriate cases, modest contingent fee agreements.

Additionally, Mr. Morris has been named a San Diego “Super Lawyer®” every year since 2012. He is also an adjunct faculty member at California Western School of Law, where he has taught seminars on legal writing and a course on products liability since 1983.

Works at
Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP

28 Best Lawyers awards

Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP logo

Locations

Education

  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 1981
  • Cornell University, B.A. (cum laude), graduated 1976

Bar Admissions

  • California, State Bar of California

Court Admissions

  • California

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • San Diego County Bar Association - Member
  • State Bar of California - Member

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Appellate Practice
Special Focus:
  • Civil Appeal
Awards:
  • San Diego Super Lawyer® (2013-present)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© (2016-2021)
  • San Diego Magazine "Top Lawyers," recognized by Martindale-Hubbell® as an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Lawyer (2020)

Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.

Please use the print button to print this profile page.

Spinning circle Big letter B