Date of Birth: December 16, 1936
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Biography
Morris Dees is an American attorney renowned for his work in civil rights and co-founding the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Born on December 16, 1936, in Shorter, Alabama, Dees grew up witnessing the racial injustices prevalent in the South, which significantly influenced his career path. After earning his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1960, Dees began his legal career in private practice but soon turned his focus to social justice. In 1971, Dees co-founded the SPLC with Joseph J. Levin Jr. and civil rights activist Julian Bond. The organization, based in Montgomery, Alabama, is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. Dees has been instrumental in pioneering innovative legal strategies to combat white supremacist groups, resulting in several landmark legal victories that have significantly weakened organized hate groups in the United States. Throughout his career, Dees has received numerous awards and honors for his work in civil rights, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award from the National Education Association and the ABA Medal from the American Bar Association. He is also the author of several books, including his autobiography, “A Lawyer’s Journey,” which chronicles his life and career devoted to justice and equality.
5 Interesting Facts about Morris Dees
1. Morris Dees co-founded the Southern Poverty Law Center in 1971.
2. He played a critical role in bankrupting the Ku Klux Klan through successful civil suits.
3. Dees has received over 20 honorary degrees from various universities.
4. He stepped down from his active role at the SPLC in 2019.
5. Dees is an accomplished author, with notable works including “Hate on Trial” and “A Season for Justice.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Morris Dees
1. “The civil rights movement didn’t end in the ’60s; it continues to this day.”
2. “When you see something wrong, it’s important to step up and take action.”
3. “Justice is a journey, not a destination.”
4. “Fighting hate is not just a legal battle; it’s a moral imperative.”
5. “We must stand together against injustice, no matter how difficult the path.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Morris Dees is estimated to be around $12 million.
Children
Morris Dees has three children: two sons, Morris Seligman Dees III and Mark Dees, and a daughter, Anna Dees.
Relevant Links
1. [Southern Poverty Law Center Official Website](https://www.splcenter.org/
2. [Biography of Morris Dees on SPLC](https://www.splcenter.org/about/staff/morris-dees
3. [Morris Dees on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Dees
5. [Morris Dees’ books on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Morris-Dees/e/B001H6G1IU