Thomas West is proud to have practiced law for more than 30 years, first with his law partner, Reggie Kelly, and then with his daughter Elizabeth West Murphy. Thomas’s passion and life’s work have been to have a law practice he is proud of. In 2020 he retired from the practice he built and now serves “of counsel” to the firm.
“For 30-plus years, I have strived not just to be a lawyer but to be an honest lawyer people can depend on. I work every day to make sure that my clients get the same representation that I would want if I had someone else representing me. Here at Kelly, West, and Murphy, it has always been our motto that we will try our best to help you. But, if we cannot help you, will try to find someone who can, and I firmly believe that we have succeeded through the years in doing just that. That’s why so many people come back to see us over and over again.”
Thomas was a 2016 recipient of the Martindale-Hubbell client distinction award. He was also recognized as a 2020 Attorney of the Year by Top 100 Registry.
He believes that he is different from other lawyers because this has been his life passion.
“It’s not just a job; it’s about faith – faith that God will give you the ability to help, faith that God will provide you with the patience and wisdom needed, faith that God will send the next client to see you. Yes, I work hard, and that’s important but working knowing my work is divinely inspired, that’s what keeps me going day in and day out.”
Also, Thomas says has always made sure that the technology the firm uses is current and efficient. Kelly & West proudly offers their clients the latest technology that helps manage cases and keeps each case progressing forward as quickly as possible, and Thomas is the one behind it all.
“I love the fact that we have software that allows us not to miss opportunities to help each client the best we can. Over the years, I have handled thousands of cases, and now with technology, I can put my experience to work for each client so that we don’t miss any coverages or additional insurance policies that may be out there. Plus, technology gives us the ability to track when we receive documents and phone calls on each case, to make sure that we are aware of everything that’s going on with a particular client at all times.”
Thomas is proud that he and his loving wife, Betsy Coats West of Dunn, have been married for over 40 years. They attend Divine Street United Methodist Church in Dunn. They have two children, Elizabeth Murphy, and James West, who practices law in Los Angeles, California. He hopes to continue to serve those throughout North Carolina and especially in his local community for many years to come.