51 Years Strong: Two Colleagues Reflect on More Than Half a Century of Legal Experience
What is the key to maintaining a professional relationship that stands the test of time – 51 years, to be exact? For NCBA member Marshall LaFar and Susan Kelley, who have been colleagues for over half a century, valuing what is best for the other person is at the heart of their success.
Marshall and Susan have been working with each other in Gastonia since 1970.
Marshall, a real estate attorney, and Susan, a legal secretary, met earlier that year when Marshall had been practicing for three years and was also teaching legal courses at Gaston College, and Susan was a student in the college’s Legal Secretarial program. Susan, who had graduated from high school in 1969, joined the program at Gaston College because of her interest in the legal industry.
While she was in the program, Susan was working part-time for other legal firms, but that semester, the firm where Marshall practiced was in need of an additional secretary. Susan stepped into the role, and she has never looked back.
Marshall and Susan have experienced their share of joys, changes and challenges over the last 51 years. They have assisted many clients, watched a legal partner come and go, and relocated to a new office. Marshall had two sons, and Susan and her husband had two sons. They both have overcome personal health challenges.
Marshall, Susan and Julius Sanders, a former partner, in 1975.
Time may have moved forward, but their principles have remained the same. They are committed to improving the lives of their clients in Gastonia. They are also intent on supporting each other in the day-to-day – while keeping the other’s well-being at the forefront.
When asked to think about what has contributed to the longevity of their professional relationship, Marshall and Susan credit their individual strengths, and the values they share.
Having clear expectations about their roles is important – they each recognize the other person’s expertise and are responsible for what they are good at doing. Marshall completes the firm’s technical work, such as checking titles and drawing maps of properties with the computer. Susan oversees the organizational side of the office, including setting up closings and communicating with clients.
Values regarding life and work are also significant to the fabric of their relationship.
“We feel the same way about most things. Whether it is our philosophy on life or up here in the office,” Susan says.
For both of them, their clients are central to what they do.
“The number one thing is that we like helping people. Especially elderly people – I think we both feel the same about that. We try to be in their corner because a lot of people are not. Sometimes, getting paid is not always the most important thing,” said Susan.
Marshall shares Susan’s point of view.
“Lawyers don’t always say, ‘I helped a lot of people.’ The reward is the feeling of helping someone when they walk out of your office and you told them something, like how their property is going to pass if they don’t have a will. That is probably the most asked question. So when we help somebody that is really part of it, not just the money we get.”
“Sometimes, there is none,” he adds.
Assisting others is important to both of them, as is creating boundaries for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Marshall says, “I knew Susan had more obligations than just me and the law firm. I have been very careful to keep things comfortable and easy going. We don’t like stress.”
Creating boundaries so that they are able to spend time with family is a benefit to working in a profession they both enjoy.
Their professional friendship is an added gift, one that gave them strength when they were faced with the unexpected. In 2004, Susan was diagnosed with colon cancer. During her battle with the disease, she was out of the office for several weeks. Marshall supported her in her fight.
Two years later, their roles were reversed when Marshall was diagnosed with throat cancer. As he underwent surgery and radiation, Susan encouraged him from her standpoint as a cancer survivor. They both made it to the other side of their diagnosis with an even greater understanding of what it was like to experience a health crisis.
For Susan, working with Marshall as part of a small office is something she is grateful for.
“It has been kind of like family,” she says.
As survivors, colleagues and friends, they look forward to each new day and client they serve.
Marshall and Susan have made a difference in their community by working together – and with each other – for what they care about the most. And they are not done yet. In fact, they are only at the beginning.
Jessica Junqueira is communications manager for the North Carolina Bar Association.