MacElree Harvey has been selected as the Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester.
"It is an honor to be selected for this award," said Lance J. Nelson, Managing Partner of MacElree Harvey. "All of the members and staff of the firm are dedicated to improving our community."
"Not only is the firm active in the community but the lawyers and staff have also dedicated their time and skills to the community," a Chamber publication said. "The firm is represented in the community not only with the Chamber, but with the West Chester Business Improvement District, Rotary, and Chester County Bar Association, just to name a few. MacElree Harvey has also been a conduit in connecting West Chester University with the community-at-large."
MacElree Harvey was honored on October 19, 2005, at an awards luncheon at the Chester County Historical Society.
MacElree Harvey traces its history to more than 125 years ago when the MacElree family line of lawyers began practicing in Chester County. Wilmer W. MacElree was admitted to the practice of law in 1880 and opened his doors for business.
The family of attorneys continued when J. Paul MacElree was admitted to practice in 1908 and when, in 1949, Wilmer's grandson, Lawrence E. MacElree, joined the practice. The firm was known as MacElree & MacElree early in its history and changed as new partners joined the practice, including John O. Platt and D.T. Marrone, future President Judge of the Court Common Pleas of Chester County. When the Honorable Joseph F. Harvey joined the firm in 1962, the name became MacElree, Platt, Marrone & Harvey.
A merger in 1973 of two firms resulted in MacElree, Harvey, Gallagher, and Kean and eventually it became MacElree, Harvey, Gallagher, Featherman and Sebastian, Ltd. In 2000, the firm officially became MacElree Harvey, Ltd.
Today MacElree Harvey has more than 20 experienced attorneys practicing in a number of disciplines serving all of the legal needs of individuals, small business owners and corporations. A support staff of 30 is employed in offices in West Chester and Kennett Square.
Staff members volunteer many hours serving on local boards of community organizations and staffing worthwhile community projects. The firm's public service also includes multiple in-house fundraises each year for different charities. The latest fundraising event aided the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
MacElree Harvey attorneys have long had a reputation for initiative – in listening, in counsel, in court, and in protecting the interests of every client. I t is a reputation earned from over a century of hard work and diligent service. It is a reputation that causes our clients to rely on us every day – and to look ahead with the confidence that we will be here for generations to come.