John Morris is one of Utah’s foremost attorneys in the field of community association law. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Utah Business magazine’s Utah Legal Elite™ for 2013 and 2014. John is also one of less than 150 nationwide members of the Community Association Institute College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). CCAL only accepts lawyers who have distinguished themselves through contributions to the development of community association law and through the education and empowerment of boards and residents in community associations. John was also recently elected President-elect of the Board of the local chapter of the Community Association Institute, where he continues his voluntary efforts. He also continues his long standing service on the Utah CAI Legislative Action Committee (a non-partisan organization dedicated to furthering the legislative interests of the community association constituency), a committee he chaired for three years. John is a founding member of Morris Sperry, the only law firm in Utah focused entirely on community association law.
John advises many community associations, boards, developers, and private owners. He is regularly appointed by insurance companies to defend community associations. John lived in a condominium association for nearly ten years. He served as a member of the board of his association for several years and at various times as the President, Vice President, and Secretary of the association. Since 2008, John has been been involved in the drafting of multiple and extensive amendments to the Utah Condominium Ownership Act and the Community Association Act. In cooperation with others in the industry, John has been and continues to be active in drafting legislation, communicating with legislators about community association legislation, and advocating for community association legislation that is balanced and sensible. John has presented on community association law topics at dozens of seminars for the Community Associations Institute, the Utah State Bar, insurance trade organizations, real estate groups, and individual groups of managers and owners.
John’s practice includes all aspects of community association law, including governing document drafting and rewrites, governance issues, complex litigation, governing document enforcement, new association development and turnover, and construction defect related disputes.
Practice areas
Drafting and amendment to HOA governing documents, drafting and revising contracts between vendors and HOAs, drafting management contracts, drafting and revising other HOA contracts.
28 years, 100 cases
Extensive litigation of construction and HOA issues including litigation on behalf of associations, litigation on behalf of associations appointed by insurance counsel, and owner litigation against associations.
28 years, 100 cases
Extensive experience with HOA real property issues including easements, prescriptive easements, implied easements, and utility easements. Extensive experience with adding and removing real property from HOA communities for Associations and developers.
22 years, 50 cases
Extensive experience advising community associations on corporate issues such as meeting procedures, voting, ballots, proxies, amending documents, document production requests, and other corporate matters.
22 years, 100 cases
Extensive experience with HOA foreclosures for failure to pay assessments.
22 years, 1,000 cases
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CO | Inactive | 1995 | 06/08/2022 |
UT | Active | 1994 | 06/07/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Award of Membership | College of Community Association Lawyers | 2013 |
Outstanding Service as Chair of the Legislative Action Committee | Utah Chapter of Community Associations Institute | 2012 |
Acknowledgement of Appreciation HOA Legislative Drafting | Utah Chapter of the Community Association Institute | 2012 |
Certificate of Appreciation - Small Claims Court Judge | Utah Court System | 1999 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Morris Sperry | 2013 - Present |
Associate | McKay, Burton & Thurmon | 1994 - 2012 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Utah CAI Legislative Action Committee | Past Chair | 2008 - Present |
Colorado Bar Association | 1996 - Present | |
Community Associations Institute | President | 1995 - Present |
Utah State Bar | 1994 - Present | |
College of Community Association Lawyers | N/A |
Townpark Condominium Association | Board President | 1996 - 1998 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Utah Community Living | Legislative Update: Checking in with the LAC | 2013 |
Utah Community Living | Blooming Shame: Elk Run vs. DiPalma | 2012 |
Utah Community Living | Local Legislative Update 2012 | 2012 |
Utah Community Living | On the Hill 2012 Legislation | 2012 |
Utah Community Living | A Fair Housing Act Nightmare | 2011 |
Utah Community Living | Obtaining Lien Payoffs | 2011 |
Utah Community Living | The Next Big Step for the LAC | 2011 |
Utah Community Living | LAC Legislative Update | 2011 |
Utah Community Living | Can the Utah LAC Be Effective without Political Donations? | 2010 |
Utah Community Living | LAC Dedicated to Passing UCIOA | 2010 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Susan Bradshaw Mediation | Completion of 40 Hours Basic Mediation Training | 2013 |
University of Utah | Master in Business Administration | 1994 |
University of Utah | Business Management | 1991 |
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
CAI 2015 Annual Conference | Defamation in Community Associations | 2015 |
CCAL 2014 Law Seminar | Community Association Bankruptcies | 2014 |
CAI Essentials Class | Legal Organization | 2013 |
CAI Leadership Luncheon | Open Meetings Panel Discussion | 2013 |
Real Property Section of Utah State Bar | Utah Community Association Law Update 2013 | 2013 |
HOA Manager Training Seminar | HOA Rules | 2013 |
HOA Manager Education Dinner | Rules Education | 2013 |
Fourth Annual CAI Insurance Forum | New Insurance Legislation Affecting Condominium, PUD, HOA, and Townhome Associations | 2012 |
Homeowner Education Roundtable | Insurance-Workers Compensation Coverage | 2012 |
Law Seminar | Laws Applicable to Reserves & Budgeting for Utah Community Associations | 2012 |
CAI Leadership Luncheon | Manager Licensing Panel | 2012 |
UCCPCU All Industry Day | Community Association Insurance Coverage | 2011 |
CAI Insurance Forum | Senate Bill 167 & Future Legislative Changes | 2011 |
Homeowner Education Roundtable | How to Conduct an Effective Board Meeting | 2011 |
CAI Educational Roundtable | Fair Housing Act | 2011 |
CAI Insurance Forum | D&O Insurance, Crime, Pending Legislation, & Underwriter's Perspective | 2010 |
Law Insurance Forum | Property Insurance for Condominium & PUDs | 2009 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Keyser v. Wasatch Towers | Dismissed with Prejudice followed by Nuisance settlement of Appeal |
Posted by Kathy
March 24, 2015
Gregory Hoole, Litigation Attorney on Feb 13, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
John and i have opposed each other in two matters, the recent of which culminated in a week-long trial. Bright and always fully prepared, he is a fierce advocate and an formidable opponent. To his credit, however, he also goes out of his way to be civil and professional. He is a credit to our profession.
Melyssa Davidson, Contracts and agreements Attorney on Dec 31, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
There's no beating John Morris when it comes to knowing the complex details of HOA law.
Gregory Hoole, Litigation Attorney on Feb 13, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
John and i have opposed each other in two matters, the recent of which culminated in a week-long trial. Bright and always fully prepared, he is a fierce advocate and an formidable opponent. To his credit, however, he also goes out of his way to be civil and professional. He is a credit to our profession.
Melyssa Davidson, Contracts and agreements Attorney on Dec 31, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
There's no beating John Morris when it comes to knowing the complex details of HOA law.
Brandon Myers, Litigation Attorney on Dec 30, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
Great guy to work with on litigation issues.
Quinn Sperry, Contracts and agreements Attorney on Dec 30, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
I've been working with John for years now. No doubt he's the best in the field of HOA law.
Robert Rosing, Litigation Attorney on Dec 19, 2014
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer.