R. Neil Morse
R. Neil Morse
R. Neil Morse was born in 1951 in Southern California and is a resident of Merced County since 1978. He
was educated at the University of Idaho and he graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1973,
followed by graduation from Gonzaga Law School in 1976 where he was a member of the Gonzaga Law
Review staff. He was admitted to the Washington Bar in 1976 and the California Bar in 1977. He has
practiced in the State of Washington including Spokane Washington, and for a rural legal services
organization in the Yakima Valley before relocating to Merced in March 1978. From 1978 to present he
has been practicing in Merced with his brother Brian and father Larry until father’s retirement in 2007.
His practice emphasis for the last 15 years has been primarily criminal cases with a special emphasis on
all aspects of drunk driving related offenses. He has conducted in excess of 100 contested DMV
hearings, many have resulted in restoration of driving privilege or suspension set asides. He has also
represented client in felony and misdemeanor driving under the influence offenses in Merced,
Mariposa, Stanislaus, Madera and Fresno Counties.
His additional emphasis is on Family Law cases including custody, visitation, child support, spousal
support, property division, restraining orders and all other aspects of interpersonal relationship
disputes.
He has been qualified and served as Judge Pro Tem in Family Law and sits as Judge Pro Tem in the
Merced County Superior Court. He has handled a wide range of other civil and criminal cases including
kidnapping, assault, burglary, robbery, drug offenses, and sexual assault.
He is married to Teresa Saldivar-Morse, elementary school principal in the Merced City School District.
He has three great kids. He has also served as director and president of the Merced County Historical
Society and the Merced Rotary Club. Morse is an avid historical buff and collector, and has authored a
book on the California Pottery Company of Merced.
Can be contacted by email at jhartman@morselaw.net