Michael R. Morris, Managing Partner of Valensi Rose, was recognized by the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California for achieving 40 years as a certified legal specialist in Taxation Law.
“We recognize and commend your sustained commitment to professional advancement,” stated George P. Surmaitis, chair of the board of legal specialization. “We extend our gratitude as you play a vital role in helping us accomplish our mission to protect the public.”
The State Bar certifies attorneys as specialists who have demonstrated proficiency in 11 specified areas of law. The program provides a method for attorneys to earn the designation of certified specialist in particular areas of law, increasing public protection and encouraging attorney competence.
Mr. Morris is a former trial lawyer for the IRS and a certified specialist in taxation law. Although his core focus is in the tax arena, Michael has developed significant expertise covering a wide range of businesses.
He has blended his tax law expertise with a passion for music and entertainment, resulting in a practice that serves entertainment industry clients including producers, record labels, composers, recording artists (including Grammy winners), music publishers, actors, talent agencies, and motion picture companies.
Clients in other sectors include companies in the manufacturing, advertising, jewelry, healthcare, software, post-production, and wine industries.
Michael has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer (2006-2026) in the area of tax and one of “L.A.’s Top 100 Lawyers” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
He is a frequent speaker at meetings of the California Copyright Conference, has served as a speaker and member of the planning committee of the CalCPA Education Foundation Entertainment Industry Conference, and has led discussions of entertainment-related tax topics at conferences of the USC Gould School of Law Tax Institute.
Established in 1952, Valensi Rose, PLC is a full-service business law firm providing its clients with the broad range of legal services needed in a complex business environment, including tax planning; employment law; trust and estate planning; civil litigation; trust and estate litigation; family law; corporate law; legal ethics; entertainment law; and real estate.
The firm is AV® rated by Martindale Hubbell, its highest rating for professional skill and integrity, and is a member of Lawyers Associated Worldwide, a network of law firms in more than 180 cities around the globe serving companies involved in international business activities.