Oklahoma Bar Association Names Rick Kells Outstanding Tax Lawyer 2009
Oklahoma Bar Association – February 24, 2010

Richard B. “Rick” Kells, a partner with Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville, has been named the 2009 Outstanding Oklahoma Tax Lawyer by the Taxation Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association.
Kells’ primary areas of practice are federal and state taxation, wealth transfer planning, and wills, trusts, estates and tax controversies. He has practiced in these areas for more than 30 years and is a most recognized practitioner of Oklahoma Tax Law, known for his practice in court and before the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and for his annual survey of tax updates. He is also a prodigious author and speaker, and has taught tax law and accountancy at Oklahoma City University.
In nominating Kells, his partners Steven C. Davis and Kevin Ratliff cited three attributes that have won him the esteem of his clients and other professionals. “Rick has an insatiable appetite for knowledge, especially with regard to intricate aspects of the tax law; a unique and selfless willingness to share his efforts and expertise with other professionals; and an unwavering commitment to provide the very best results for his and his firm’s clients at all times,” they wrote.
Tulsa colleague Ken Hunt adds, “Rick is a lawyer whose advice and insight is always ‘spot on,’ and who shares with others, in a collaborative spirit, which represents the highest ideals of the legal and accounting professions.”
Kells is a member and past chairman (2005-2006) of the OBA Taxation Law Section and past chairman of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs (OSCPA) Tax Committee (2006-2008). He currently serves on the OSCPA Board of Directors. He is past president of the Oklahoma City Tax Lawyers Group and the Oklahoma City Estate Planning Council, a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 1988.
Kells earned a B.S. in accounting from Central Connecticut State University, a J.D. from Oklahoma City University and an LL.M. in Tax Law from New York University Law School. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
 
About Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville:

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Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville’s experienced legal teams serve businesses, high net worth families and individuals, and charitable organizations. Principal areas of practice include litigation; business and financial transactions, securities and business law; employment law; family law; oil and gas; real estate law; tax planning and tax controversies; and wealth transfer planning, trusts and estates. Additional information about the firm is available at www.hartzoglaw.com.