John D. Morris

John D. Morris is one of Utah’s foremost attorneys in the field of Community Association Law (which includes Condominiums, Planned Unit Developments, Town homes, and Homeowners Associations). As the leader of a team at McKay, Burton and Thurman, John advises many community associations. John also lived in a condominium community association in Utah for nearly ten years. While living there, he served as a member of the board for several years and at various times as the President, Vice President, and Secretary of the association. In addition to representing associations, John represents owners and developers. Having been an owner in an association, a board member, and an attorney having represented many associations, owners, and developers, John is able to apply unique experience, perspective, and insight when analyzing and resolving community association issues. John was the primary draftsman and proponent for the 2008 amendment to Utah’s Condominium Ownership Act, adding section 57-8-40, which both enhanced and clarified the ability of condominium associations to organize as nonprofit corporations and other entities. John also assisted in the drafting and passage of changes to the Condominium Ownership Act, effective in 2009, addressing problems with the lender approvals and clarifying the law related to rental and non-occupancy restrictions. While serving on and as the chair of the Utah CAI Legislative Action Committee (a non-partisan organization dedicated to furthering the interests of the community association constituency), he is also assisting with the conceptual analysis, drafting, and editing of dozens of pieces of proposed legislation. In cooperation with other lawyers and people in the industry, John has been, and continues to be, active in communicating with legislators related to legislation that affects community associations and has always pushed for legislation that makes sense, is fair to associations and owners, and reduces the costs of operating and the risks of litigation for everyone. John has shown a serious long term commitment to community associations and owners through these efforts. John’s practice includes all aspects of community association law including document revisions, governance issues, complex litigation, and construction related disputes. He is admited to practice in both Utah and Colorado.

Education:
• University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah) J.D., 1994; Order of the Coif (top 10% of graduating class);
Member:Utah Law Review (1992-1993);
Recipient: American Jurisprudence Award,Constitutional Law and Contracts
M.B.A., 1994 B.S. (Business Management), 1991
Memberships and Associations:
• Utah State Bar, admitted 1994
• Colorado Bar Association, admitted 1996
• Salt Lake County Bar Association
• Utah Trial Lawyers Association
• Community Associations Institute (CAI)
• Utah CAI: Legislative Action Committee, Chair
• Former President, Vice President, Secretary, and Member
of the Board of Directors, Towne Park Condominium Homeowners’ Association
• Former Small Claims Court Judge
Admitted to Practice:
• Utah, State and Federal Courts
• Colorado, State and Federal Courts
• United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
Personal:
• Interests include boating and water sports, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and 1960′s automobiles