Hayden, Idaho — A local attorney, known locally as the ‘Christmas lawyer’ for his extravagant holiday light displays, may find his ongoing legal dispute reaching the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. The case, which has stirred significant attention, centers around Jeremy Morris and his homeowners’ association (HOA) in Hayden, a small community just east of Spokane, Washington.
Morris first drew national attention in 2015 after he showcased a Christmas display involving over 200,000 lights, live music, a nativity scene with a camel, and events benefiting children’s charities. This spectacle did not sit well with the West Hayden Estates HOA, which raised concerns about the size, noise, and brightness of the display and its impact on the neighborhood.
The disagreement escalated into a legal battle when Morris sued the HOA in January 2017, accusing it of religious discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. Initially, a jury ruled in Morris’s favor, granting him $75,000. However, this decision was later overturned by a federal judge who cited violations of neighborhood rules rather than religious discrimination and commanded Morris to pay more than $111,000 in HOA legal fees.
Following the verdict’s overturn, Morris took his case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in June 2020. The appeal resulted in a mixed ruling, acknowledging some level of discrimination against Morris’s religious expression but also agreeing with the HOA on several points. The split decision opened the door for a new jury trial, a path Morris is considering, although he expresses a preference for taking his case directly to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, which receives over 7,000 petitions yearly but hears fewer than 100, has not yet decided to take up Morris’s appeal. The prospect of the highest court in the land addressing such a case poses significant implications for similar disputes nationwide, touching upon the sensitive intersection of community governance, religious freedom, and holiday celebrations.
Throughout the ordeal, Morris has maintained that his rights to religious expression have been unfairly curtailed. “It was made clear that a jury could find … that there was a hostile atmosphere created, that our family was discriminated against,” Morris told media outlets, stressing his belief in the possibility of another victory should the case be retried.
On the opposing side, the HOA and its legal representatives argue that their actions were justified. They emphasize a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, denying any discriminatory motives in their attempts to regulate the display. The legal proceedings, according to the HOA’s attorney, will ultimately vindicate their position as lawful and non-discriminatory.
The ongoing legal strife has taken a toll not only on Morris but also on the neighborhood’s festive spirit. Morris has since moved out of Idaho, citing the stressful environment, and is reportedly considering a lawsuit against the Idaho State Bar for $10 million over an unrelated issue involving his legal license.
As this case potentially moves towards a climax at the Supreme Court, it highlights the complex balance communities must maintain between individual rights and collective agreements. Regardless of the outcome, the ‘Christmas lawyer’ case will likely serve as a significant precedent in disputes involving homeowners’ associations and residents’ rights across the United States.