Prior to founding EKM Law, PLLC in 2014, Emily K. Morris was an attorney with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) for 13 years where she focuses on real estate transactions, public-private partnerships and lands/zoning.

In her first two years with OAG, Ms. Morris prosecuted misdemeanors as a part of the Criminal Section of OAG, then called the Office of the Corporation Council.   Ms. Morris transferred to the Commercial Division of OAG in 2003, where she represented the District of Columbia on civil litigation matters involving real estate, eminent domain and tax litigation, and real estate transactions. In 2006, then Deputy Mayor Neil Albert asked Ms. Morris to join a newly formed group of real estate attorneys dedicated to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (ODMPED). During her time dedicated to ODMPED, she served as lead counsel on some of the District’s most complex real estate transactions, including Capital Crossing (I395), Saint Elizabeths East Campus, Howard Theatre, and Hine School, and supervised the other attorneys dedicated to ODMPED.   

In her private practice, Ms. Morris represents private sector clients and District instrumentalities on real estate transaction and District law matters.  Ms. Morris also represents clients on private sector real estate transactions and matters, including acquisitions and dispositions, office and retail leases, land use/zoning matters (BZA special exceptions and variances), TOPA (seller representation), and  condominium conversions. Ms. Morris has developed a sub-speciality in District historic title and surveyor research. 

Ms. Morris was raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  She received her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1995 and her Juris Doctorate from Lewis and Clark School of Law in Portland, Oregon in 2000.   In law school, Ms. Morris clerked at the Lewis and Clark Legal Clinic where she worked on bankruptcy and family matters, and, in her third year, served as a special District Attorney for Multnomah County District Attorney’s office where she prosecuted misdemeanors.   

In her spare time, Ms. Morris spends time with family and friends, and enjoys adventurous activities, including trapeze, surfing, skiing, and skydiving.

Bar Memberships & Affiliations

• District of Columbia (2000)

• Maryland (2017)

• Oregon (2000) (inactive)

• Washington (2001) (inactive)

• Colorado (2008) (inactive)

• DC Affairs and Real Estate Sections of the District of Columbia Bar Association

• American Bar Association

Volunteer Activities

• CED Project Small Business Assistance Program

• DCBIA Legislative Committee

• SB Works Board Member

• DCBIA Community Services Board Member

• DCBIA PAC

Emily K Morris
EKM Law, PLLC      
800 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 350-4910
emily.morris@ekmlawfirm.com

Ms. Morris has significant experience working with many District, quasi-District, and federal agencies, and a proven track record to solve cross agency issues.  Agencies that Ms. Morris has directly supported or worked on cross agency collaborations with are listed below.

DC Agency Experience:

• DMPED – Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
• DGS – District Department of General Services
• DDOT – District Department of Transportation
• DCRA – Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
• OCFO – Office of the Chief Financial Officer
• DHCD – District Department of Housing and Community Development
• DDOE – District Department of the Environment
• DFEMS – Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services
• OP – Office of Planning
• OANC – Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions
• ABRA – Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration
• OAG – Office of the Attorney General
• OBC – Office of Boards and Commissions
• OCA – Office of the City Administrator
• OCP – Office of Contracting and Procurement
• DPR – District Department of Parks and Recreation
• OPG – Office of Partnerships and Grants
• DSLBD – Department of Small and Local Business Development
• ROD – District Recorder of Deeds
• DC Surveyor – Surveyor for the District of Columbia

Quasi-District Agencies and Multi-jurisdictional Entity Experience:

• DC Water – District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
• Destination DC – Destination DC (formerly DC Convention & Tourism Corporation)
• WMATA – Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• DCHA – District of Columbia Housing Authority
• DCHFA – District of Columbia Housing Finance Authority
• RLARC – RLA Revitalization Corporation (dissolved)
• NCRC – National Capital Revitalization Corporation (dissolved)
• AWC – Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (dissolved)

Federal Agency Experience:

• HUD – U.S. Housing and Urban Development
• FHWA – Federal Highway Administration
• GSA – General Services Administration
• NPS – U.S. National Park Service
• ACHP – Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
• NCPC – National Capital Planning Commission