Initiative in Practice.®
For every client. Every day.
Founded in 1880, we serve individuals and businesses.
We’ve transformed the way we practice law to meet the technological and social requirements of the day.
ABOUT US

MacElree Harvey 145 Years Of Experience
With roots that reach back to 1880, MacElree Harvey uses the traditional values of professionalism and excellence as the foundation for the firm’s identity. Our attorneys are encouraged to build on these traditional values through Initiative – creative problem-solving, proactive planning, and strategic positioning.

Initiative in Practice® . For Every Client. Every Day.
Our 45+ attorneys and their staff are dedicated to providing clients with superior representation and are committed to achieving the best outcomes. We serve individuals and businesses in the Pennsylvania and Delaware area with our expertise in various areas of the law.

Client Focused Law Firm
We believe that we’re only as good as the reputation of our clients—which is why we work diligently to ensure our clients come first. We never hesitate to put our reputation on the line to ensure they get as much out of the relationship as we do.
NEWS & INSIGHTS
The #1 Reason Properties Go to Tax Sale Even When Owners Think Taxes Are Paid
Employment Law Update February 2026
MacElree Harvey CEO Michelle Foster Appointed to Board of the Chester County Bar Foundation
Application of Privilege in the Era of Generative AI
One Reason Homeowners Miss Tax Sale Notices
Overturning a Tax Sale: Why Acting Quickly Matters
MacElree Harvey Elects Andrew R. Silverman as Shareholder
Employment Law Update January 2026

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
After encountering an issue with adopting our dog, we didn’t really know where we would ever find help and support. After having John recommended to us by a family friend, we knew immediately we were going to get the help we needed. John took our story very seriously, he was compassionate and right away began to identify solutions for us. Through his well spoken and confident demeanor, John explained each part of the legal process in terms we grasped easily. He educated us, upheld our values and held consistent professional communication throughout the process. His high expectations for his clients coupled with his legal expertise allowed us to have a smooth case. Thanks to John’s hard work and dedication, we are more than pleased with the outcome of our suit and highly recommend John to everyone we know. Thank you John for advocating for us – you changed our lives!
Several years after a divorce, new issues prompted me to seek counsel about child custody concerns. No longer confident in the divorce lawyer’s practice, a recommendation led me to Lance Nelson. I truly cannot say enough good things about Lance. He is patient, pragmatic, professional, accessible. Exceptional communication and clear integrity. He laid out the options at every stage, with practical advice regarding the most logical next steps. It never needed to go to court — we were able to manage the situation well enough long enough, the kids aged out before needing more serious legal intervention. In addition to Lance, everyone I have interacted with in the office is equally competent and caring. I would not hesitate to recommend Lance specifically or the practice as a whole.
Tim Rayne and I recently completed a ‘trip and fall’ lawsuit. I have never been in any litigation before. It is a lengthy procedure but Tim assisted me in understanding the step by step process and counseled me on my role in the litigation. I found him to be extremely knowledgeable of the law down to the letter. He is professional and well spoken. Do not let his mild manner fool you. He is well prepared and when he defends he changes into an aggressive defender of his client. I would recommend Tim if you need a real pro who gets results.
It is a pleasure to write a review on the services MacElree Harvey provided, specifically Mr. Michael Louis and Mr. Patrick Gallo. While my situation would likely be considered a minor case, for me it was very concerning. After contacting Mr. Louis he immediately assisted with a time sensitive court document and addressed my concerns regarding financial liability. After the initial concern was addressed, Mr. Patrick Gallo worked diligently on negotiating a reasonable settlement and provided me with several options. Both Mr. Gallo and Mr. Louis were always available, provided detailed explanations, were extremely professional, and treated my case with the utmost importance. In addition, their rates were very fair as they went “above and beyond” to assist. Thank you both for all your help.
Patrick was great! We hired him after consulting two other attorneys. We had a situation complicated by Delaware law requiring us to post ads in South Korean newspapers regarding custody and offer proof to the court. The law was unclear about how to go about this, but Patrick guided us through the process and the court ruled in our favor. The adoption went through with no hassle on January 25th and our family is thrilled to now be legal under the same family name. We originally attempted to do this ourselves which turned out not to be a very good idea, way more complicated than we thought. Patrick was able to undo our mistakes and get us on the right path. Thanks, Patrick for your hard work and getting results. We highly recommend Patrick for anyone needing counsel for adoption!
Brian Nagle has been my attorney for many years and has also become a great friend. He has completed everything that was asked of him on time, in an excellent manner, and below initial budgets. I have used him on land development, corporate issues, and seek (and trust) his counsel on a variety of subjects. I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars with his firm in the last few years and have always felt every dime was used wisely.














































