About Our Attorneys
CHARLES O. MORGAN, JR.
Charles Morgan is a Miami-born lawyer, practicing in wills, estate planning, trusts, sports law, corporate and charitable planning. He began his practice with a tax firm in Coral Gables, and in 1983, began his own firm in North Miami. In April 2015, he relocated to Coral Gables. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating for both legal ability and professional excellence.
Areas of Practice
- Estate Planning
- Probate and Trust Administration
- Real Estate
- Corporate and Tax Matters
Court Admissions
- Florida Supreme Court
- Third District Court of Appeal
- Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida
- S. Supreme Court
- S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
- S. District Court Southern District of Florida
- S. Tax Court
Education
- New York University School of Law, New York, New York
M. Taxation (Cum Laude)
Honors: Research Associate Fellowship - University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida
D. (Cum Laude) - Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
BA (Business and Economics)
Honors and Awards
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
- The Simon Daro Dawidowicz Humanitarian and Arts Award (1991)
Professional Associations, Memberships and Activities
- Florida Bar, Member
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Florida Bar, Member
- Tax Section, Florida Bar, Member
- Dade County Bar Association, Member
- University of Miami, Estate Planning Council (2000-present)
- Miami Country Day School, Miami, Florida – Advisory Council (2016-present)
- S. Senate Finance Committee for proposed non-profit tax reform legislation, Legal Expert (2011-2013)
Charitable Activities
- Orange Bowl Committee, Miami, Florida – Member (1993-present)
- Billy Graham Association (1984-present)
Executive Committee
Board of Directors
Audit Committee, Chairman (1984-2016) - Christian Legal Society, Springfield, Virginia – Board of Trustees (1996-2000)
- Worldwide Publications, Los Angeles, California – Board of Directors (1993-2016)
- Don Shula Foundation, Inc., for breast cancer research- Executive Director and Trustee (1989-2013)
- Project R.A.R.E. (Save the Reefs) – Board of Directors (1995-2000)
- The Chatlos Foundation, Longwood, Florida – Board of Trustees (1978-present)
- “Money $ense” weekly talk-show radio program – Co-Host (1995-2003)
- La Gorce Country Club – Membership Committee (1996-2016)
- Morgan Music Company – Vice President (1965- 1996)
- Bay Point Property Owners Association – Director and President (1975-1984)
- Cove Charitable Trust Fund – Trustee (2000-2016)
- Blue Ridge Broadcasting Co. – Board of Directors (1990-2016)
- Graham Fund – Trustee (2001-2016)
- Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce – Member (2000-2010)
- Super Bowl XXIX Host Committee – Chairman, Team Host (1994)
- Super Bowl XXXII Teams Committee – Co-Chairman, Team Host (1997-1998)
- Attorney for various charitable and civic organizations
LAURA M. HORTON
Laura is a fourth generation Miamian. She has been practicing law since 1990, specializing in estate planning. Her main focus is on the specific needs of each client in the preparation of wills and trusts. A person who holds assets in his or her own name is subject to a long and expensive probate administration. But with careful planning utilizing revocable trusts, probate and guardianship may be avoided.
In addition, care must be taken in advising clients with blended families to avoid unintended consequences. She also advises clients when they express charitable gifting as part of their overall estate plan.
Advance directives are an important component in financial, medical and privacy areas. Clients are encouraged to name trusted individuals to act on their behalf to make decisions for them when they are unable to make decisions for themselves.
Laura also represents clients in various real estate and corporate matters.
Laura is a frequent speaker on educating women in estate planning matters, providing a safe environment for women to learn more about financial and legal issues.
Education
- University of Florida, Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida; J.D., 1990.
- Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois; B.A., 1987.
Areas of Practice
- Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts, Advance Directives
- Probate and Trust Administration
- Real Estate
- Corporate Matters
Charitable and Community Involvement
- Orange Bowl Committee
- Board of Directors, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 2023
- University of Florida, Levin College of Law – Advisor Network and UF Law graduate
- Miami County Day School – Advisory Council
CARMEN ALPIZAR HELLMAN
Carmen A. Hellman was born and raised in Miami, Florida. For the past 14 years, she has focused her practice on assisting clients in planning and protecting their assets during and
Her peers have recognized her as a “Top Lawyer” in the South Florida Legal Guide (2008-2018). She was also listed in the July 2010 edition of Florida Trend magazine’s “Legal Elite” in the area of Civil Trial.
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1996
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court
Middle District of Florida, 1998 - U.S. District Court
Southern District of Florida, 2005
Education
- Stetson University College of Law
St. Petersburg, FL, Juris Doctor, 1996 - University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Bachelor of Arts, 1993
Certifications
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator (Circuit Civil, 2011)
Professional Memberships
- The Florida Bar
(Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Family Law Section, and Real Property and Probate Section) - Dade County Bar Association
(ADR Mediation and Probate and Guardianship Sections)
Languages
- Fluent in Spanish
Morgan Horton Law
Charles O. Morgan, Jr., PA
2121 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 900
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-624-0011
Charles O. Morgan, Jr. – [email protected]
Laura M. Horton – [email protected]
