In many industries, the notion of “selling out” has long been one that carries a heavy stigma. From artistic fields to more business-minded roles, the concept implies that there is something disingenuous in attempting to bring your work to a larger number of people, that you’re somehow diluting yourself or your work to reach mass audiences. This idea has also persisted in the controversial subject of legal advertising, as many naysayers question the validity of law offices that employ such tactics.
For Morris Bart, a personal injury lawyer in New Orleans, legal advertising has never been about “selling out” or the money. Instead, it has always been about reaching those who need his law office’s services and ensuring that individuals in need know the team is there for them whenever and wherever.
To this end, Morris has pioneered legal advertising techniques, embraced community engagement, and put people first at every turn. He has challenged industry norms and redefined what it means to serve justice. As a result, Morris’s unwavering dedication to accessibility and prioritization of the community has made him deeply entwined with the soul of New Orleans.
Against the Grain
For years, Morris has been fighting an uphill legal battle to legitimize lawyer advertising in America. In his experiences, he has found that the only way to reach underserved portions of the community is often through legal advertising. Because of this, Morris has vehemently persevered and crusaded for the benefits of legal advertising in the name of prioritizing people’s needs.
People First, Always
Empathy and education form the foundation of Morris’s client relationships, especially for first-time legal clients. He works to instill a people-first philosophy in all of the lawyers at his office.
As Morris details, “Many of our clients, when they first come to us, have never spoken to a lawyer before and don’t always know what to expect or what is going to happen. That’s why it’s so important that we help educate and guide them through the legal obstacles in a way that helps them through whatever difficulties they face.”
Beyond the Courtroom
Morris doesn’t simply talk when it comes to helping people; he also walks the walk. Every year, his office helps thousands of clients. Beyond the courtroom, Morris consistently takes his office’s success and puts it back into the community in tangible ways. These philanthropic achievements include establishing 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.
Legacy in Motion
Morris has received numerous awards and distinctions throughout his career, including being named a Super Lawyer, a Million Dollar Advocate, and Gambit Weekly Magazine’s “Best Attorney,” and receiving a “Leadership in Law” award from New Orleans City Business Magazine.
From the very beginning, Morris’s goal was to help people. After that, the goal became to grow the law firm and help as many people as he could. The office has expanded these days to help people with injury claims, storm claims, and beyond.
Morris says, “That’s what I’d like to keep doing. I want to continue expanding and helping people throughout the South Gulf Coast region.”
Wisdom in Simplicity
From a young age, Morris Bart was driven to work tirelessly and pursue greatness in the name of helping others. One of his father’s favorite quotes was an essential piece of advice that helped him throughout his career.
Morris shares, “He was in real estate, and I would consider him a student of marketing. He used to say, ‘Early to bed, early to rise. Work like hell, and advertise!’ That stuck with me, and I think it sums up what you have to do to be successful. You must work hard and put a lot into it.”
