When it comes to needing a legal advocate, finding a lawyer who is a law expert and will fight to get you the justice you deserve is a must. Yet, while many factors make up a great lawyer, civic-minded legal leaders who focus less on winning in the courtroom and more on making a positive impact beyond the law speak highly of one’s overall character. Lawyer Morris Bart brings his dual passion for achieving justice for his clients and helping the public to his profession. As a leader and philanthropist, Bart’s work meets at the intersection of private success and public service.
Bart’s father worked in real estate and frequently shared with Bart one of his favorite quotes: “Early to bed, early to rise. Work like hell, and advertise!” This piece of advice stuck with Bart, who believed his father’s quote highlighted what one has to do to be successful. However, while his father provided great advice that has helped him with his career, it was Bart’s deep roots in his community that were instrumental in shaping his values and mission.
“If I had to narrow down my inspiration to only one source, I would have to say, people! I love people and I love helping people! I love the city of New Orleans, and I’m very grateful that the New Orleans community has embraced me and helped me achieve my dreams and goals. I feel very blessed that I can give back to the community that has given so much to me,” stated Bart.
It is his community that continues to guide Bart’s work in both the courtroom and beyond.
More than a Courtroom Battle
At the beginning of his legal career, Bart struggled with getting the word out about who he was and how he could help people. Working in a highly competitive industry, the philanthropist was determined, turning to advertising to overcome these challenges.
Bart is one of the country’s first legal advertisers, but his early ventures into advertising received pushback. Facing a lot of opposition to his advertising efforts, with lawsuits, hearings, and discussions being thrown his way, Bart fought to prove his constitutional right to advertise his mission to provide necessary services to lower-income people.
Inspiring a new legal business strategy, Bart said, “Eventually, those in the legal establishment began to embrace and accept my law firm. My law firm has grown larger than I could have ever imagined.”
Giving Back to Clients and the Community
Bart’s efforts to build his firm proved fruitful, with his firm growing and successfully helping many individuals. While he helps a significant number of people each year and is grateful for the help he is able to provide, he also makes efforts to give back to his community. One of the most meaningful highlights of his career is his philanthropic achievements. While having won numerous awards, including being named a Super Lawyer, Bart finds joy in his philanthropic contributions to organizations like the Cathy and Morris Bart Volunteer Center at the Second Harvest Food Bank and his work as an Assistant District Attorney in the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office.
At his firm, Bart and his team deliver legal help and education, helping to train future advocates to carry forward a people-first mission. From the beginning, his goal has been to simply help people. This goal has helped his law firm extend its services beyond injury claims to assisting individuals with storm claims as well. Looking to the future, Bart plans to continue expanding and aiding more people throughout the South Gulf Coast region and reinforcing social infrastructure in the city he loves.
