The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Bridgeport law firm celebrates a century in the business
Businesses come and go, but representatives at Pullman and Comley LLC say staying power is driven largely by the people behind the brand.
“When you have that kind of investment in your firm’s culture and the way in which the firm views its relationship with the community and the businesses that we serve, that helps,” said Tim Shearin, who has been with the firm for 32 years.
Shearin is chairman of the Bridgeportbased law firm, which has operated out of its 850 Main St. headquarters for 100 years.
The firm has been celebrating the milestone by participating in community service projects statewide throughout 2019. According to Shearin, the year of service is a tribute to the firm’s history and culture.
What started in 1919 as a threeperson practice in downtown Bridgeport representing small businesses and individuals has grown into a statewide firm with offices in Hartford, Waterbury, Westport, Stamford and White Plains, NY.
Pullman and Comley’s employee base now consists of more than 100 attorneys with experience ranging from 50 years to a few months at the firm. The mix of experience has been a boon for the firm and allowed it to keep up with growing changes in the industry, Shearin said.
The biggest change has been technology, he said.
“Years ago, you had an intimate relationship with your client. You saw them face to face. You met them and wrote them letters and talked to them on the phone,” he said. “Today, as in all industries, your relationship can be more remote.”
Despite its expansion into other cities, Shearin said Pullman and Comley has maintained its commitment to its clients in the Park City and a changing pool of clientele.
“As they change and as they expand and have different legal problems, it’s up to us to keep current on the knowledge that we need to have to help them solve those problems and to give them the guidance and direction they need,” Shearin said.
Pullman and Comley has been a key component in the business community in the city for its century long existence. The firm has been part of the revitalization of the city over the past 15 or so years, playing a role in major development of the Cherry Street Lofts, Steelepointe Harbor and revitalizing McLevy Green.
The firm also represents some of Bridgeport’s most prominent employers: People’s United Financial, Yale New Haven Health and Santa Fe Energy, among others.
“Their success in a lot of respects has been tied to the ups and downs of the city and has ... stuck with the city while unfortunately a lot of other companies didn’t,” said state Rep. Steve Stafstrom, DBridgeport, who has been with the firm for more than a decade.
The firm also encourages attorneys to get involved in civic and charitable endeavors in the city, said associate Kelly O’Donnell, who attributed the firm’s success in Bridgeport to its outreach and attracted her to the firm.
“I think that’s hugely important for a firm like Pullman and Comley,” she said. “The more involved we are, the better it is for us and our clients.”
Bridgeport officials congratulated the law firm on reaching its milestone.
“The City of Bridgeport is fortunate to have a prestigious law firm like Pullman and Comley among the ranks of longstanding businesses in the Park City,” read a Thursday statement from Mayor Joe Ganim’s office.
“Pullman and Comley attorneys have been providing valuable services to the city, businesses and individuals for 100 years. They are an institution and we congratulate them on this notable anniversary and wish them continued success,” the statement said.