Patricia M. Morgan: Creating Seats at the Table for Equal Justice

Growing up in the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn instilled in Patricia M. Morgan the values of independence, problem-solving skills, and perseverance from a young age. Though times were often financially tight for her mother, Patricia recalls fondly the creative ways her mother provided for her and the life lessons she learned. “To this day, she can show you how she balanced her checkbook on a 1985 income and still had some money left over for a pair of jeans,” Patricia shares.    

This grit served Patricia well as she began studies at the University of Florida, originally with sights set on medical school. However, a fateful medical mission trip to Mexico with her university opened Patricia’s eyes to a different calling. Though the team was able to medically assist a young girl who had potentially been assaulted, Patricia recognized the bigger issues at play. “She had no voice, and this sparked the passion in me to be the voice of others,” Patricia explains. Fueled by this new passion, Patricia shifted her dreams from stethoscopes to courtrooms, changing her trajectory and not looking back since.   

In law school at the University of Miami, Patricia immediately involved herself with organizations aligned to her passion for advocacy, especially for minorities and marginalized groups. She held a leadership role as Social Chair in the Black Law Students Association and helped launch the Race and Social Justice Law Review. “Everyone speaks about the progress cultures have made to create this theory of a ‘seat at the table’, but no one actually teaches you how to claim the seat because we are all still figuring it out,” Patricia points out. “The Race and Social Justice Law Review was a means to create a whole new table when the seats were ‘full.’”    

Beyond just holding titles, Patricia used these platforms to encourage accountability and dedication to the greater good amongst her peers. The organizations provided opportunities for direct community involvement, cross-generational relationship building within legal realms, and peer support. “It required dedication,” Patricia emphasizes. “Practicing law is no different. It requires accountability, hard work, and most importantly remaining dedicated to something bigger than yourself as you fight for others and face obstacles.”     

Patricia had the chance to put these lessons into action through pro bono work with the University of Miami Health and Law Clinic. In working closely with an HIV+ client battling for disability benefits, Patricia witnessed firsthand the roadblocks inhibiting access to social services. “I learned quickly how difficult obtaining disability benefits was and the hurdles that are taken to actually prove a need,” she explains. After months of learning her client’s story, accompanying her to appointments, and sticking by her side, Patricia successfully secured her client’s benefits and back pay. “She was thankful for the pro bono services, I was thankful for the experience and we each were thankful for our time together,” Patricia warmly recalls.   

After completing her law degree in Florida, Patricia’s adventurous spirit soon led her to Dallas, Texas, in 2013, where she immediately dived into a role in personal injury law at a small firm. The contrast between the statutes and legal cultures of Florida and Texas provided Patricia with insightful, albeit challenging, experiences. “Each state handles personal injury law differently, such as no-fault versus at-fault laws, making it interesting to advise clients on their rights under two different ideologies,” she explains. “Regardless of whether I agree with the law or not, it is my job to ensure I am up to date with the laws and providing the best advice I can, regardless of the jurisdiction.”   

Within her first years of practice, Patricia encountered an opportunity most young associates only dream of—she was handed a major seven-figure personal injury case while working at Kelley Law Firm.  Overwhelmed but driven by her usual determination, Patricia immersed herself in the work. “Most associates dream of handling multi-million-dollar cases during their first years of practice, and I got to live that dream,” she says. “I never took it for granted, either, because it meant more eyes were watching to see what I was capable of.” Care, empathy, and diligence once again proved to be winning attributes as Patricia secured an outstanding result in just weeks, beginning a decade-long track record of multi-million-dollar recoveries for clients.    

But Patricia quickly emphasizes that monetary results alone don’t dictate success, especially in personal injury cases shrouded in grief. “Justice means different things for different people, and it’s bigger than settling cases and hitting monthly metrics,” she notes thoughtfully. “Clients may never know the work or hours I’ve put into a case; they don’t have to—that’s just my job. But they do remember how I made them feel during their darkest days, and I don’t take that lightly.” Over time, Patricia has learned to balance skilled legal advocacy with the emotional support grieving clients need during trauma. “The higher-value cases I have handled came with the added components of grief and loss. This required me to learn more about the stages of grief, coping mechanisms and required a heightened level of empathy.”   

With over ten years of legal practice and an accomplished reputation, Patricia recently ventured to establish Patricia M. Morgan Law , PLLC. Instead of pursuing partnerships or prestige in large firms, Patricia founded her firm with a priority on creating meaningful change through community-centered service. “My primary goals for the firm are to become a figure in the community, not just another business entity,” Patricia emphasizes. “It is crucial that, alongside practicing law, our firm focuses on community involvement and mentorship.” She envisions establishing a robust internship program to provide law students with hands-on experience in the practical aspects of legal practice.   

Though Patricia handles a variety of personal injury and wrongful death cases, including workplace accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability suits, and more, a fervent pursuit of justice unites these cases. “In personal injury and wrongful death cases, you are dealing with an individual suffering during one of their most trying moments,” she passionately declares. “I have seen lives ruined, family members buried, and families broken. Yet, amidst these adversities, I have also witnessed cases won, companies held accountable, policies changed, families strengthened, justice served, and lives improved.”   

Patricia insists that change is still needed. Backlogged courts delay access to remedies, bias infects state laws, and struggling people fight just to be heard. “A lot of times, one of the first questions clients ask is how long will a case take, and it’s heartbreaking to share the reality that cases don’t resolve or get tried as soon as they should,” Patricia shares. “So, in addition to less bias in state laws, more focus on getting clients their day in court faster would make a world of difference.”   

To lawyers likewise hoping to advocate for their communities, Patricia offers this guidance: “Be true to yourself and what you want out of the profession. Learn from other attorneys you admire, seek opportunities, but respect them, and on your hardest days of practice, just keep pushing. Remember, there is someone out there right now wishing they could have the opportunity to attend law school.”   

After a decade of litigation and leadership roles in renowned firms, Patricia M. Morgan is now channeling her dedication to uplifting others into her new solo venture. However, it’s clear she has never practiced law in isolation. A supportive family, the resilience honed from her Brooklyn upbringing, camaraderie from law school peers, gratitude toward pro bono clients, guidance from mentors like Kevin Kelley, and the trust of countless past clients have all accompanied her on this journey.   

“Most of my best lessons came from practicing attorneys who were willing to invest their time in me,” Patricia acknowledges. As she steps into this next chapter, she is determined to pay that gift forward. Patricia M. Morgan Law, PLLC aims to be more than just another law practice; it will serve as a launching ground for new lawyers who are learning to use their voice to serve. A seat at the table awaits anyone hungry for justice.