India, Nov. 30 -- John Morgan, the billionaire founder of Morgan & Morgan, says the grit that defined his own childhood is the same grit he tried to instill in his four children - even when it meant firing one of them.

John Morgan, 69, is an American attorney based in Florida, best known as founder of personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan. Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.5 billion.

The eldest of five, Morgan began working at a young age to support his financially struggling family. Decades later, his personal-injury law firm has grown into one of the largest in the United States, with more than 1,000 lawyers and offices across all 50 states.

Beyond his legal empire, Morgan owns science museums, malls, billboard companies and ev...