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Whitney L. Sorrell

Estate planning Attorney at Scottsdale, AZ

5.0   9 reviews

also known as Sorrell Law Firm, PLC

  • Licensed for 24 years
    State AZ
    Acquired 1998
    Status
    Active Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2020

About Whitney

Learn Whitney’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Estate planning
    25%

    23 years

  2. Business
    20%
    Worried about the tax implications of a complex business transaction? Looking to form a business entity? Want to reorganize? Need to hold an Annual Meeting? Need a Buy/Sell Agreement? We can help with all this and much more! Whitney L. Sorrell, JD, CPA, MBA combines his vast knowledge of tax and business law to assist with transactions of all shapes and sizes, from the very simple to the complex.

    23 years

  3. Tax
    20%

    33 years

  4. Trusts
    20%

    23 years

  5. Probate
    15%
    No one enjoys probate, but we can alleviate the stress of the process. We walk our clients through the process in the most efficient way possible, maximizing the benefit of all those involved.

    23 years

Whitney practices law in the areas of federal taxation, sophisticated estate planning, probate and trust administration, IRS tax disputes, business formations and transactions.

 

Whitney received his bachelors degree in Bank Financial Management in 1987 from Arizona State University; his MBA (summa cum laude) in 1995 from the University of Phoenix; and graduated from the Arizona State University College of Law in 1998. He has been a certified public account (CPA) in Arizona since 1993. He is admitted to practice in all Arizona State Courts, the Federal District Court, District of Arizona, and the US Tax Court.

 

During law school, Whitney served as the Articles Editor for the ASU Law Journal, clerked for the Office of the Attorney General, Tax Section, and worked as a City Prosecutor through the ASU Law Clinic Program. Whitney is a national lecturer to CPAs and attorneys on effective multi-generational IRA planning, sophisticated designs for estate planning, income tax planning, business formations and asset protection issues. He has authored ten published articles in the Journal of Arizona Taxation for which he was named a life member to the National Registry of Who’s Who. 

 

Prior to law school, Mr. Sorrell worked five years as a Revenue Agent for the United States Treasury, Department of Internal Revenue (IRS). While at the IRS, he received special training as an expert witness, and for conducting fraud and employment tax audits. He received IRS outstanding performance awards, and in 1995 taught negotiating skills, interviewing and forensic audit courses to other Revenue Agents.

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Similar lawyers nearby

Sorrell Law Firm, PLC
7575 E. Redfield Rd.
Suite. 217
Scottsdale, AZ, 85260

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  9 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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Posted by anonymous | May 2, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate Planning by Whitney Sorrell
After speaking with a number one estate planning lawyers I decided to hire Whitney Sorrel in large part based on his ability to communicate clearly. By "clearly" I mean he was able to explain exactly what he would be doing and the purpose of completing an estate plan. What followed was even better. He listened to what I wanted while at the same time challenging me, in a very positive way, as to the wisdom of my choices. In the end, the final document represents my wishes while protecting assets and future finances. In addition, his personal style direct yet friendly fit perfectly with the way I prefer to do things. I would recommend Mr. Sorrel very highly.
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Posted by Scott | March 9, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Father Passed Away
My father hired Whitney to update his trust in 2015. He recently passed away. Whitney and his team did an outstanding job helping myself and my brothers quickly settle the estate and deal with all of the little things that are required after someone passes. Whitney's advise and counsel helped us make sure that as the assets changed hands they were immediately protected. He definitely made things easy for us in a very difficult time.
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Posted by Beverley | November 13, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
A+ HIGHLY RECOMMEND
My experience with Mr Sorrell and his knowledgeable staff has been superb. Whitney and his paralegal Ben went above and beyond my expectations. They truly do care about their clients and their needs. I am amazed and grateful at the attention to details & dedication that was given towards securing my future. Thank you guys SOOOO much!!!
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Posted by Cort | May 9, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
GREAT Attorney - Highly Recommend
I needed to be legally protected while settling my mother's estate & Whitney Sorrell was the BEST choice. I interviewed 6-8 attorney's and I am very satisfied with my choice to work with Mr Sorrell. He knows his stuff, does his homework & fights for you. He is not intimidated by the opposing team. He negotiates with finesse. I would hire Whitney Sorrell every single time.
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Posted by Nancy | April 8, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Attorney
Mr Sorrell was recommended to us be another estate planning attorney. He was thorough, very knowledgeable and gave us excellent suggestions along with guidance for our decision making. Throughout the process he was enjoyable to work with and we are totally happy with the resulting trust product. I would certainly recommend him to anyone seeking to create a will or trust.
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Posted by Claude | March 9, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
estate plan
Whitney came highly recommended by our lawyer in St Charles, Il. He is an excellent listener and asks insightful and thought provoking questions to best understand our intent. Attention to detail and planning for all contingencies is reflected in all his work along with his ensuring we had a thorough understanding of our finished plan.
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Posted by Bob | December 10, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very helpfull in setting up entire family estate planning
Highly recommend Whitney Sorrell for estate planning. I have hired him on several occasions for personal and business matters and gone above and beyond my expectations. Thank you Whitney.
Posted by anonymous | November 20, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent tax and business attorney
My wife and I hired Mr. Sorrell on a recommendation from a friend. To say we had a lot to fix was an understatement and frankly a huge undertaking. I cannot express how helpful Whitney was from start to finish. My brother is an attorney so I know the drill, and I have to say that Whitney knows his stuff, is professional, and walked us through exactly what needed to take place one step at a time to not only alleviate my wife's fears but to show us that it was something that could be managed and we could pursue our fight to end this awful scenario we were faced with through no doing of our own. This was a HUGE undertaking from past taxes to fighting previous employers on employment status. We knew we were both in the right but needed someone to FIGHT for us. Whitney did, and through it all we came out victorious on both accounts. He is fair, thorough, professional, honest, and truly cared about our situation and what we were faced with...would highly recommend him to anyone.
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Posted by anonymous | November 13, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great for asset protection and tax planning.
Whitney was extremely helpful in setting up entities to hold my real estate investments. He took the time to explain everything, including tax planning and asset protection strategies. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with Whitney as I continue to invest in Arizona real estate.
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AVVO RATING 5.4 (Average)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2020.

Reprimand and Probation issued in AZ, 2020
updated on 09/04/2020

Reprimand means the attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. While on probation, the State monitors the attorney's activities for a period of time in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Probation issued in AZ, 2009
updated on 10/08/2015

Probation means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State monitors the lawyer's activities for a period of time in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Whitney's comment: “The 2005 discipline arose from a former employee who embezzled from the firm. Upon discovering Clarissa Nelson’s theft we fired her. Police confirmed her fraud but the State Bar concluded that the responsible lawyer must receive her punishment. For this reason the State Bar put Whitney on probation; the Bar discipline is somewhat of a misrepresentation as Whitney is being punished for the act of his employee, not his own actions.”

Work Experience

  • Owner
  • Sorrell Law Firm, PLC
  • 2003 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Shurwest Financial Group, Inc.
  • 2001 - 2002
  • Revenue Agent
  • Internal Revenue Service
  • 1991 - 1995

Education

  • Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1998
  • University of Phoenix
  • MBA - Master of Business Administration
  • 1995
  • Arizona State University
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1987

Associations

  • WealthCounsel
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • State Bar of Arizona, Tax Law Section
  • Chairperson
  • 2009 - 2010

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Tax Law Section Chair
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • 2010

Publications

  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • The Board of Tax Appeals Announces an Expansive Definition of Gross Receipts for Contractors: Is It Equitable?
  • 1997
  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • The Latest Round In Arizona’s Taxation of Federal Employees’ Retirement Contributions.
  • 1997
  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • Airlines Seek The Legislature’s Help For Relief From The “Airline-food” Tax.
  • 1997
  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • Scottsdale City Council Approves the ”Downtown Enhanced Services District” Tax Over Strong Objections.
  • 1997
  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • The Department Of Revenue Penalizes Taxpayer’s Who Invest Their IRA Savings In U.S. Government Bonds.
  • 1997
  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • Can Federal Preemption Invalidate a Tax on Shareholders of an S-Corporation Engaged in Business Solely on the Reservation?
  • 1997
  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • State Taxation of Cable Television: Uncharted Territory.
  • 1997
  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • The Department Tightens the Noose on Tax Exemptions to Prime Contractors.
  • 1997
  • The Journal of Arizona Taxation
  • Arizona Hits Sharper Image With A Use Tax On Mail Order Catalogs: Is This Constitutional?
  • 1997
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Convention
  • Continuing Legal Education
  • 2010
  • State Bar Annual Convention
  • Tax Section
  • 2005
  • CLE Seminar
  • Arizona Estate Planning and Drafting Fundamentals
  • 2004
  • National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys Conference, Reno
  • Tax Planning for Executive Compensation
  • 2002
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (2)
Given (3)
Endorse Whitney
Estate planning Attorney | Feb 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have had excellent experiences with Whitney. He has both broad and deep expertise in the areas of estate planning, trusts, taxation, and business formation and law. He is not only very knowledgeable, he is easy to talk to, explains things very well, and is a very nice person."
Tax Attorney | Jun 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Whitney Sorrell is a lawyer, CPA and was previously employed by the the IRS to perform audits. There is no one more qualified to represent you in a tax audit or with any tax problem. He is also an excellant estate planner. I highly recommend Whitney Sorrell."
Estate planning
Estate planning
Scottsdale Estate planning Lawyer Whitney L. Sorrell
Whitney L. Sorrell
Estate planning Attorney
Scottsdale, AZ
Licensed for 24 years
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2020. See details