Bah Humbug? The Case Of The Christmas Lawyer
What happens when you cross a festive attorney and a Homeowners Association (HOA)? An expensive legal battle that has spanned for almost a decade. The case of the Christmas lawyer has many twists and turns, leaving you questioning what will happen next.
The Beginning Of A Contentious Court Case
This story kicks off in 2015, when Jeremy Morris closed on a new family home Hayden, Idaho. At his previous residence, he was well-known for his highly elaborate Christmas displays — and he intended to keep this tradition.
Morris was aware that his new property fell under an HOA, so he contacted them about his holiday plans for December 2015. The HOA was not thrilled and promptly let Morris know that his home display would likely violate some of their community guidelines.
But specifically, the HOA also said, “Some of our residents are non-Christians or of another faith and I don’t even want to think of the problems that could bring up.” Morris countered back that he found no community guideline violations and believed the HOA was discriminating against his religion.
Morris’s Christmas Display
Sure enough, once the holiday season hit, the Morris home was fully decorated in Christmas decorations against the HOA’s advice. But it wasn’t your typical light display. The attorney had:
- An estimated 700,000 lights adorning his house
- A nativity scene complete with a live camel
- Employed 80 actors and musicians
- Shuttles bringing visitors on site
As one can imagine, this massive production upset many of Morris’s neighbors and the HOA. People in the neighborhood tried to deter visitors from attending the display and even made threats towards the Morris family. Consequently, Morris decided to sue the HOA for religious discrimination.
The Initial Court Hearing And Appeal
When it came time for Morris vs the HOA to duke it out in the courtroom, something strange happened: the jury agreed that Morris was a victim of discrimination, but the judge did not. Therefore, the judge made the decision to change the verdict, leaving Morris to pay $111,000 for the HOA’s legal fees and banning the family from putting on further elaborate displays.
Morris was not happy about the judgment, so he appealed the decision to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals — but not before he said some choice words about the judge residing on the case. According to the Idaho State Bar, these statements could land Morris in hot water.
Unfortunately for Morris, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the initial judge’s decision in a split decision. They acknowledge valid points from both the defendant and plaintiff, but did not reverse the ruling.
The Legal Struggle Continues
Since the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had a split decision, Morris has the option to request a new jury trial. But the Christmas lawyer would prefer to have his case viewed by the Supreme Court instead.
As for the Idaho State Bar, they may pursue “formal charges” (removal of his Idaho law license) against the unkind words Morris spoke against the initial judge. It’s reported that Morris publicly suggested the judge is corrupt and a hateful bigot. Considering Morris’s career as an attorney, these statements can be considered slanderous, especially against another legal professional.
However, Morris has plans of his own. He would like to pursue his own case against the Idaho State Bar, as he believes that the ordeal with his former HOA and subsequent legal proceedings have affected his reputation as an attorney. While legal proceedings for this case have not taken place, Morris has stated he is asking for $10 million from the Idaho State Bar.
‘Tis The Season To Call Hickey & Hull
Only time will tell how “the case of the Christmas lawyer” will pan out. But keep in mind that Jeremy Morris had legal knowledge ahead of his court case due to his career as an attorney. If you are facing legal woes during the holiday season, your best bet is to consult with a legal professional.
Hickey & Hull Law Partners are no strangers to pursuing legal cases for property disputes, civil right violations, discrimination, and more. Contact our Arkansas law offices to schedule an initial consultation and find out how our professionals can help you.