Michael A. Morris

Athens real estate attorney Michael A. Morris has 42 years of legal experience, more than half of which he has spent with Blasingame, Burch, Garrard and Ashley, P.C. A native of Athens, Georgia, Mike attended public schools as a child, graduating from Athens High School in 1969. Afterward, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia.

He graduated with honors and was named the outstanding male graduate in the UGA Physical Education Program in 1973. After obtaining his B.S., Mike earned his Master’s Degree in Education from UGA, graduating cum laude in 1974, then attended the University of Georgia Law School where he graduated with honors with his J.D. in 1979.

While in law school, Mike was the recipient of an academic scholarship from the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association. He was also awarded the Best Brief Award for First Year Class in the legal research and writing competition, was a member of the American Bar Association National Moot Court Team, and was the recipient of the Georgia Municipal Corporation Award for academics. He also served as the Vice Chair of the UGA Moot Court Board and was in the Order of the Barristers.

When Mike began practicing law in 1979, he was hired as a member of the litigation team at his first firm. After about six months, the head of the firm’s real estate department resigned, and Mike was the only person in the firm who knew how to search a title, so he agreed to become the firm’s real estate lawyer. He has been practicing real estate law for the past 38 years. In 1989, he joined Blasingame, Burch, Garrard and Ashley, P.C. to head its newly-created real estate department.

Mike strives to remain active in the local community of Athens. He is a member of the Economic Development Authority of Athens-Clarke County, a member of the Board of Directors for AFB&T, a division of Synovus Bank, a member of Joseph Henry Lumpkin Society at UGA Law School, and a member of the Gridiron Secret Society. He is also a Ruling Elder at First Presbyterian Church and Chair of the Administration Commission and the Finance Committee of the Church. He has served as past Chairman of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce for 2013 and was a member of the Board of Directors.

He is also a past member of the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army (2012-2015), a past member of the Athens-Clarke County Industrial Development Authority (2014), a past member of the Mayor’s Economic Development Task Force for Athens-Clarke County (2015), past member of the Athens-Clarke County Environmental Buffer Committee (2016), and a past member of the Unification Commission for Athens-Clarke County (1990). Mike has also been active with Athens West Rotary Club, serving as a past member and officer from 1981-1983, and is a past chairman of the American Heart Association Giving Campaign. He has received the highest peer rating possible, an AV® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, based on his commitment to high legal and ethical standards.

He is the past President and member of the Board of Directors for the Athens Boys & Girls Club and a past member of the Board of Directors and two-time Chairman of Attorney Division of the United Way of Northeast Georgia (1997 and 2002). He is also a past President and member of the Board of Governors of the Athens Country Club (2006-2008).

In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Eve, and their grown daughter, Erin, who lives and works in Atlanta.