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
MacElree Harvey’s 2025 Charitable Contributions and Community Impact
Selling Your Business? Five Lessons in M&A From 2025
Employment Law Update November 2025
The CROWN Act: What Pennsylvania Employers Should Know
MacElree Harvey Earns National and Regional Recognition in 2026 Best Law Firms® Rankings
Nine MacElree Harvey Attorneys Recognized in Delaware Today’s Top Lawyers 2025
Employment Law Update October 2025
Partner Brian L. Nagle Represents West Chester University in 10-Year Campus Master Plan Presentation

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
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.
From the beginning of the initial contact with John, he has been more than understanding, caring, kind and thoughtful of the situation that we have endured now approaching two years to get our security deposit returned. John went above and beyond with us to ensure that we were treated with respect and closed our case with a positive outcome. If you need an attorney, I highly recommend to call John without a doubt. Thank you John for everything you did for us to finally have a resolution!
I’ve been dealing with Mike for about three years now as a non-profit company tries to take my service dog away from me. As a disabled person on a fixed income, I am the type of person it is very easy for an attorney to shun and overlook but Mike has NEVER treated me with anything but the utmost of respect and kindness. When I don’t understand something he takes the time to completely explain it. He has never taken more than a day and a half to get back to me with an answer to a question. I can not believe how blessed I have been to have him as my attorney!
Ashley Stitzer goes to court well organized with all of the documents and facts at her fingertips making her points to the court meaningful and on target. Her support staff also helped to create a well prepared case. She anticipates the questions to be asked and prepares her client appropriately. Being as this was our first time being exposed to family court, we were very nervous, but Ashley put us at ease. I highly recommend Ashley for Family court cases, I will use her services again if the situation arises.
Mr. Nelson’s calm approach to negotiating the tumultuous process of a hostile divorce and custody battle can be contagious. No matter how heated or volatile the process becomes, he never seems to lose his cool and keeps his composure at all times. He knows the system and the process and conducts himself as a true professional.
My process with the most painful experience of my life, but he was there for me every step of the way, and in the end, I got everything I wanted and more. He knows when to show his hand, and when to stick to the plan. He is organized, and no matter how busy he seems to be, he always knew the details of my case off the top of his head without having to review the mountains of paper in my files.
As far as I’m concerned, he’s the best that West Chester has to offer in the excruciating process of family law, especially when children are involved.













































