Partners Reggie Kelly and Thomas West Started Family Company in 1982
LILLINGTON, N.C. — When Thomas West and Reggie Kelly opened their law firm doors in October 1982, they conducted most of their business in person, by phone, and by mail.
Forty years later, not much has changed — at least in the company’s attitudes. The law firm, which offers help with personal injury, traffic, real estate, and more in Lee and Harnett counties, still relies on that personal touch, whi
ch has earned them a positive reputation among clients and community members.
The firm celebrates its 40th anniversary October 1st. The milestone isn’t something the partners were considering when they began.
“We were just getting started, just hoping to be here and make the business grow,” said Thomas West. “We weren’t focused on the years down the road, just on providing a good service to people.”
The law firm has grown to include Thomas West’s daughter, Elizabeth Murphy, and a team of 11 staff. While the law firm has a website with a chat function now, the partners say their “old-fashioned” efforts to communicate personally with clients is what sets them apart.
“We weren’t trying to make money. We wanted to be good lawyers. We wanted to take care of people the way we would want to be helped after an accident or during stressful times,” said Reggie Kelly. “We relate to our clients because we know we’re not immune to the same problems everyone faces in life, and we just want to help.”
Things may not have changed with the way the firm feels about its clients, but the firm has seen drastic differences in 40 years in the profession. When Kelly and West graduated law school, advertising was considered unethical. Technology, of course, has changed things, but in most cases has made it easier for them to work. But the law has changed, too, West said.
“Jury attitudes have certainly changed. A jury used to feel sorry for someone who got hurt; now they wonder if someone is trying to get something for nothing,” he said. “The law has less sympathy for the injured and more for insurance companies.”
Kelly and West say what’s truly amazing is that they’ve stayed a team for 40 years, a milestone many firms don’t achieve. They attribute their success, in part, totheir complementary skill sets.
“Many firms split over fights about money, but we never focused on individuals,” West said. “There’s a quote in the Bible1 that two or three can do so much more than one on his own. There’s a lot of truth in that. Reggie and I, our talents complemented each other. And want to thank God and thank the many amazing employees who have helped along the way.”
Elizabeth Murphy, West’s daughter, has now taken over her dad’s practice after his retirement in 2020. She says, “I am so very proud of the firm and all its accomplishments and honored to be part of such a talented team. We have so many very dedicated employees who really want us to succeed and we owe our success to them, and to the amazing clients who continue to reach out to us. We are very thankful for all the wonderful blessings God has given us and look forward to continuing to serve the Lillington community for many years to come.”
About Kelly & West
Kelly & West is a law firm in Lillington, N.C. The team has handled more than 20,000 cases, helping people in the areas of personal injury, real estate, DWI, and traffic law. The family law firm focuses on putting the client first — and putting their experience to work. Learn more at kellywest.com.
