February is a very special time of year because we are able to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements of African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.

I grew up in a segregated small town in Virginia that was 50/50 in terms of white and African American racial composition. I attended a segregated school and then during my senior year, Judge Robert H. Merhige, Jr. issued a Federal Court Order for complete desegregation. I witnessed the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s and 1970s and I have nothing but respect for the African American community. The leaders of the community have a special place in my heart, and I respect their persistence in their pursuit for justice and equality.

The Mike Kelly Law Group honors Black History Month and may we continue the progress of paving a way for a more just future.

 

We are delighted to welcome Deanne Peele to our MKLG family! She will be joining our growing personal injury division as a paralegal, primarily working for our new Attorney Ryan Martin and for Partner Janet Rhodes on Employment Law matters.

She was born in North, South Carolina, where she attended North High School. She still attends church in North at the historic Salem Baptist Church, which was founded by her great great grandfather, 200 plus years ago. Deanne has 14 years of experience as a paralegal and her world revolves around her 14-year-old son who attends Pelion High School and is an avid football and basketball player. She is neutral when asked if she is a Gamecock and/or Clemson fan even though Partner Brad Hewett was hoping for a little support on his side from our work family for his Clemson Tigers! LOL!

Welcome aboard, Deanne! We are expecting good things as we grow, learn, and serve our clients together!

 

Around this time sixteen years ago, our then young law firm was looking for a law clerk and we were fortunate enough to select Brad Hewett. Brad clerked for us for two years while he was in law school and then came on board as a lawyer after passing the bar and I am thankful to say he has been with us ever since. Brad is a wonderful human being, and as my mother used to say, “he was raised right!” He has gained valuable experience over the years and has been a tremendous asset to me, the firm, his clients, and the legal community. He is one of the emerging young lawyers in Personal Injury Civil Litigation in this state! He continues to amaze me with his preparation, his analysis of legal issues, his relationships with his clients and being a tireless worker!

In addition to his day job, which is quite intense, he is equally exceptional in being the best all-around parent. I am proud of him for the leadership he shows his family, his wife and three children. He and his wife Markie are very active in ensuring that their three lovely children will get the preparation they need to be outstanding students, citizens, and down-the-road parents themselves.

Thank you, Brad, for all you do for me personally, the law firm and numerous others. You are quite simply a blessing to the Mike Kelly Law Group!

 

For the last several years Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has been one of the fastest growing cities in the United States! Being a part-time resident myself, it is truly incredible to see the number of new homes, apartment complexes, businesses, and professional offices that have sprung up all along the Grand Strand. With South Carolina being the third fastest growing state, it is no secret that people want to live at the beach. When I drive to our law office from my home at the beach, I am shocked to see all the new residential areas that are being built along Robert Grissom Parkway and other areas in the Myrtle Beach. It is amazing.

Most of my clients now are transplants and when I ask them if they are going back to their original home state of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, etc., they emphatically say “NO”!

The Mike Kelly Law Group is pleased and proud to be part of the Grand Strand community and it is a bonus that our work neighborhood is both exciting and up-and-coming. The City of Myrtle Beach has embarked on a grand plan (and not a minute too soon) to make the area around our Myrtle Beach office a true Downtown. For example, we are in what is known as the Arts and Innovation District, which will be the epicenter of an eclectic mix of restaurants, retail stores, and professional businesses. The Mike Kelly Law Group fits right in.

Come visit us at 816 Broadway Street in Downtown, Myrtle Beach!

 

Today I am proud to give a shout out to our Mike Kelly Law Group Social Security Disability team for being recognized as one of the Top 10 teams in the State of South Carolina! Social Security Disability Leadership is a National program that recognizes the top SSD firms in the field, and I am very honored that our team has been included as one of them. In addition to myself and my fellow law Partner Janet Rhodes, we have Paralegals Kim Sanders, Greta Edwards, Linda Willis, and Administrative Assistant Katina Tyler, who work diligently on our disability team.

While the Social Security Disability practice may not be the most lucrative of our tiers of expertise, it is certainly one of the most important, rewarding and personally satisfying areas of practice. We spend day after day fielding calls and doing interviews with people who are no longer able to work. Their heartfelt stories are sad but when we can rightfully get them the disability they deserve, we feel professionally and personally fulfilled.

If you or someone you know needs a disability consultation, please do not hesitate to contact one of our offices.

 

It’s brag time again! My son, after directing several plays before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, has returned to the main stage to star in Mr. Burns! I have not seen the play, but it premiered 10 years ago and is being picked up by Trustus Theatre. The play involves the end of the world as we know it and picking up the pieces going forward. It is based in part on the TV show The Simpsons. To quote the Free Times, “The Simpsons have become not just a source of entertainment but a story telling touchstone of a time long past. Something that is known during a time of many unknowns.” I look forward to watching this dark comedy and seeing my son do what he does best.

Attached is the box office information. If you are looking for something interesting and fun to do over the next 3 weekends, please check out Mr. Burns and Patrick Michael Kelly!

 

Last week I had the privilege of attending a worship service celebrating the life of my dear friend and neighbor, Joe Earl Taylor, Jr., who unexpectedly passed away on December 29, 2022. I have known Joe for over twenty-five years. First as a local businessman and then for quite some time as my neighbor.

Joe grew up in Columbia, went to Wofford College and afterwards became a lifelong Terrier alumnus supporter, serving on many boards at the College.

He served as Governor Sanford’s Secretary of the Department of Commerce where he distinguished himself in bringing new industry to South Carolina. Most recently he was elected to the Columbia City Council where he served as my district’s Councilman. Even though Joe and I were totally different in our political views, I always respected him, his heart, his tenacity, and his commitment to improve the business climate in our city and state.

Joe will be greatly missed as well as former Columbia City Councilman Brian DeQuincy Newman who also passed unexpectedly last week. Leaders like Joe and Brian do not come along often, and we were blessed to have their leadership in South Carolina.

Prayers for Joe’s wife Amanda and their children as they maneuver their future without their rock Joe Taylor.

 

We here at the Mike Kelly Law Group are proud to announce the addition of Ryan Martin to our statewide litigation team! Originally from Union, SC – the same great county as our litigation attorney, Konstantine “Dean” Diamaduros. Ryan went to the University of South Carolina for his undergraduate degree and then received his J.D. from Charleston School of Law and obtained his license to practice law in 2021. He has previous experience doing civil plaintiff and defense work and construction litigation. This prior experience will bode well for the Mike Kelly Law Group and its clients! He is of course, like Mike Kelly, an avid Gamecocks fan! He lives in the West Columbia area with his significant other and their two beloved cats, Kiara, and Boo.

Welcome to the Mike Kelly Law Group, Ryan. We are so excited, and we know nothing but good things are going to happen now with you on board.

 

I used to make New Year’s Resolutions and I ended up breaking most of them by the end of January. Then I went many holidays without making any New Year’s Resolutions and in my later years I once again concluded that New Year’s Resolutions are a good idea. During my 45-year career I have taken a lot of leadership development courses, time management courses and participated in self-improvement programs like the late Mooney Player here in Columbia and even paid a king’s ransom to go to an Anthony Robbins four-day intensive seminar in Hilton Head back in the 90’s.

I am no expert in any subject except my four areas of legal expertise. What I have learned in all of this is if you write things down, they’re more likely to happen. Having said that, by the time the ball drops at Times Square in New York City, I will have committed to writing my personal, professional, spiritual, and family goals. I will have different subcategories and try to put it all on one sheet of paper. I will then give it to those nearest and dearest to me to hold me accountable. I will expect them to meet with me at least bimonthly and question me about my progress on achieving these goals. Needless to say, I am excited about 2023 and can’t wait to get started checking the accomplished items off my list.

As we begin 2023, I want to thank each and every one of my KellyGram followers for your support of the Mike Kelly Law Group. We at the Mike Kelly Law Group are family and because we don’t have a million-dollar advertising budget (and never will), we rely on each and every one of you to say good things about us and make referrals within our areas of expertise. Here’s to an awesome 2023!