Attorney Thomas Morris, Sr. was raised in humble beginnings. His father, Ajax Morris, Sr. was a strong and silent force in his life and had a very important impact on his son’s life. His father attended Alcorn State University and played halfback with Jack Spinks. His father, a Southern farmer and carpenter, was Atty. Morris’ inspiration for starting his own business. His father inspired him to build, create and maintain the business that has become a successful law firm. His mother Rowena Bell King Morris attended Natchez College for Women and played basketball. His mother was the vocal force that ensured that Atty. Morris got an education and always pursued his dreams. She made no room for excuses and taught him that there were no limits to his success. Reflecting on his earliest memories of his childhood, he can remember his mother’s guidance and advice in telling him that the most important thing in life is to “keep a good record and a good reputation.” Attorney Morris has carried his mother’s guidance with him throughout his life. He has also lived by his father’s belief that “it is better to have a good name and good reputation than all the money in the world.”

Morris & Associates’ founder and senior attorney began his career in the legal field in 1972. During his years of practice, Attorney Thomas Morris was very active in the civil rights movement and fought for the equal rights of citizens in Central and North Mississippi. He represented a number of NAACP chapters in school desegregation cases. He was the regional attorney and chairman of the North Mississippi Rural Legal Services Board during the turbulent years of the Jake Ayers desegregation case and the lead attorney in the integration of the Greenville, Mississippi Fire Department. Attorney Morris has also led the legal battle that culminated with the integration of a number of industrial plants in Mississippi and he led the Voter’s Rights/Gerrymandering litigation in Grenada, Mississippi.

Thomas Morris, Sr. was one of the first attorneys in Mississippi, African-American or white, to litigate and win a multi-million dollar award in a jury trial. Attorney Morris has tried and won numerous Capital Murder cases in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He remains on the forefront of leading edge litigation techniques and mass tort actions. Attorney Morris was the first African American lawyer/agent for the NFL in Mississippi and he worked closely with the late Gene Upshaw who was president of the National Football League Player Association. Attorney Morris also worked with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Don Newcombe to bring structured settlements to the Southern region.

He is responsible for the training of many young attorneys who have gone on to have success in all fields of law. These attorneys include personal injury attorneys, civil rights attorneys, attorneys for major cities on the Eastern seaboard and even appellate judges. He has continued in his goals of making a difference in the community and starting a “New South”. He has been an agent for change in his practice and has passed the torch of wisdom on to the attorneys of Morris & Associates.