Growing up around my father’s law office, he never told me that I had to be a lawyer. Instead, he introduced me to a potpourri of bank presidents, big business executives, bookies, brain surgeons, car dealers, chiropractors, circus owners, doctors, dentists, farmers, Harlem Globetrotters, horse breeders, house wives, judges, machine shop owners, ministers, movie producers, oil and gas executives, orthodontists, petroleum engineers, plumbers, ranchers, restaurant owners, rocket scientists, salesmen, small business owners, video game developers, welders, winemakers, and zookeepers – just to name a few. But I soon understood the most important thing of all – they were people that just needed help.
For me, I realized that I enjoyed the variety of the challenges – “eating at the buffet” – since no two days were ever the same. And since I was really good at math and enjoyed puzzles, I decided to prepare myself for a such a career. I decided to become a lawyer.
After graduating from Jenks High School in 1980, I attended Oklahoma State University and majored in accounting. By testing out of Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus and attending summer school, I was able to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in 3 years.
I then went onto the University of Tulsa where I received my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and worked as a graduate assistant in the Department of Quantitative Methods and Statistics. Professor Russell and I published an academic article using mathematical models to determine the optimal bus route for special needs children.
Next, I went to work for Arthur Young & Co, a Big 8 international accounting firm, as a Management Consultant in their Tulsa OK office. Besides Tulsa, my expertise sent me to Bartlesville OK (Phillips Petroleum Company), Bentonville AR (Walmart Inc.), Dallas TX (IBM), Memphis TN (IBM) and Nashville TN (IBM).
This led to an opportunity to join OTASCO, Inc. as a Financial Analyst. Now that I was traveling less, I was able to study and successfully pass the CPA examination in 1988 – the same year that Barry Sanders (an OSU running back) won the Heisman Trophy and gasoline was less than $1.00/gallon.
During my tenure at OTASCO, I downloaded the financial and demographic information on 320+ company stores so I could answer the question, “What make a really good OTASCO store?” The answer was harsh. My graph of the preliminary data looked like a double hump camel. My conclusion was that we had some really good stores, and some really bad stores, but very few “average” stores in between.
After much prayerful thought and consideration, I resigned from OTASCO in the summer of 1988, and started law school that fall. Unfortunately, OTASCO filed for bankruptcy that November.
After graduating from law school in 1991, I joined my father’s firm. I did take a brief sabbatical in 1992-1993 to work for the Office of the Governor for the State of Oklahoma. While serving as the Director of Planning & Management Analysis, I designed the very first PC network implemented in the Governor’s office. Our efforts also include the installation of Lotus Notes which was featured in a USA Today article in 1993.
As my father neared retirement, I decided to take my own advice and use a limited liability company. So, I started my own law firm and founded Morrel Law PLLC in August 2016.
So, how can I help you and your family today?
P.S. I love my job!
PROFESSIONAL MILESTONES
• 1988 – Certified Public Accountant
Oklahoma State Board of Public Accountancy, Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA), 2012 OSCPA CPA Focus Silver Pen Award, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
• 1991 – Attorney & Counselor
Oklahoma Bar Association
Tulsa County Bar Association
• 2012 – Chartered Global Management Accountant
Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
• 2018 – Member
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Professional Experience
Lawyer / CPA
Morrel Law PLLC
2016 - Current
Advise and counsel individual and business clients with a focus in the areas of taxation, business law, estate planning, elder law and wealth management.
Partner
Morrel & Morrel PC
1991 - 2016
Advise and counsel individual and business clients with a focus in the areas of taxation, business law, estate planning, elder law and wealth management.
Adjunct Professor
Tulsa Community College
1996 - 2000
Taught "Introduction to Computer" and "Introduction to Management" classes
Director of Planning and Management Analysis
Office of the Governor, State of Oklahoma
1992 - 1993
Designed and implemented the first PC network for the Office of the Governor. Installed Lotus Notes software. Implementation was featured in USA Today.
Financial Analyst
OTASCO, Inc.
1986 - 1988
Implemented transportation improvements. Prepared financial analysis of 320+ company stores for Senior Management. Assist Internal Audit Department.
Management Consultant
Arthur Young & Company
1985 - 1986
Conducted computer training for Walmart Stores Inc. (Bentonville AR), Phillips Petroleum Company (Bartlesville OK) and IBM Product Centers (Dallas TX, Memphis TN and Nashville TN). Investigate transportation system for chain of retail stores (OTASCO, Inc.)
COURTS
• 2018 – Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
• 2018 – Chickasaw Nation
• 2018 – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
• 2018 – Muscogee (Creek) Nation
• 2018 – Osage Nation
• 2018 – Seminole Nation
PUBLIC SERVICE
• 1994 – American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
Volunteer Counsel for the State of Oklahoma.
• 2002 – Southeast Rotary Club of Tulsa
Member and Club Secretary.
• 2006 – South Brooke Church of Christ
Deacon.
• 2016 – Park Plaza Church of Christ
Deacon.
• 2017 – Rotary Club of Jenks
Charter Member and Club Treasurer.
ARTICLES AND BOOKS
• 1986 – Routing Special-Education School Buses
Interfaces Magazine
• 1994 – The IRS’s Knockout Punch: The 100 Percent Penalty for Failure to Collect or Pay Over Tax
Oklahoma Bar Association Journal
• 2010 – Lady Luck Gambling Diary: Slot Machine Edition
The ONLY Gambling Diary available that complies with IRS Revenue Procedure 77-29 (out of print)
• 2011 – Taxation of the Recreational Gambler
Tulsa Lawyer Magazine
• 2011 – Taxation of the Gambler
@Law Magazine (Publication of the National Association of Legal Professionals)
• 2012 – You Win Some, You Lose Some: Know How to Correctly Report the Wagering Gains and Losses of Recreational Gamblers
CPA Focus Magazine (Publication of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs)
• 2012 – Taxation of Recreational Gamblers: An Overview of How to Report Wagering Gains and Losses
EA Journal (Publication of the National Association of Enrolled Agents)
• 2012 – Geronimo and Gambling Taxes: The Story Behind a Legendary Warrior Can Prepare You For Tax Time
Strictly Slots Magazine
Speaking Engagements
• Taxation of the Gambler, Oklahoma Bar Association Webinar, Oklahoma City, OK
September 7, 2011
Oklahoma State Bar
Since 1934, the proper tax treatment of gambling income and losses has been one of confusion, misinformation and much litigation. The webinar dispels many of the gambling tax myths and shares insights into this complex area.
• Amazing Grace and Taxes: The Unmerited Favor of Uncle Sam, Fall Continuing Education Series, Tulsa OK
November 4, 2015
Tulsa Chapter of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs
• Amazing Grace and Taxes: The Unmerited Favor of Uncle Sam, Summer Conference, Tulsa OK
July 11, 2015
Campus Ministry United
• Amazing Grace and Taxes: The Unmerited Favor of Uncle Sam, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 19, 2015
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Gambling Tax Update, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 19, 2015
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Identity Fraud Update, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 19, 2015
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Ethics Case Study: Change in Marital Status of Clients, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 19, 2015
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Management of Digital Assets, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 19, 2014
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Identity Fraud, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 19, 2014
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Ethics: What is Your Duty?, Fall Continuing Education Series, Tulsa OK
October 23, 2013
Tulsa Chapter of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs
• Ethics: What is Your Duty?, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 21, 2013
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Taxation of the Gambler, Lacerte Users Group, Stillwater OK
January 18, 2013
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Taxation of the Gambler, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 22, 2012
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
• Deal With It! The Gambler, Winter Continuing Education, Tulsa OK
December 8, 2010
Tulsa County Bar Association
• Basic Estate Planning, Annual Meeting, Enid OK
June 22, 2012
Oklahoma Society of Accountants
AWARDS
• 1988 – American Jurisprudence Award for Contracts 1 – University of Tulsa College of Law
• 1989 – American Jurisprudence Award for Agency and Partnership – University of Tulsa College of Law
• 2012 – Silver Pen Award – Oklahoma Society of CPA’s
CPA Focus Magazine for the article “You Win Some, You Lose Some: Know How to Correctly Report the Wagering Gains and Losses of Recreational Gamblers”
