NewHavenBIZ

16 n e w h a v e n B I Z | A p r i l 2 0 2 3 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m From cannabis to mediation - law firms expand practices to meet growing demand By Christopher Hoffman F or Pullman & Comley, business is smoking. e cannabis business that is. Connecticut's legalization of recreational marijuana has been a boon for the law firm, Managing Partner Lee Hoffman said. e firm has offices in Bridgeport, Hartford, Westport and Waterbury, as well as Rhode Island and New York state, Pullman & Comley is aiming to position itself as one of the state's go-to firms for the emerging legal marijuana industry, with eight attorneys devoted to cannabis work, Hoffman said. at work ranges from handling land use matters to creation of LLCs to helping clients with permits for cannabis growth and distribution, Hoffman said. One of the firm's attorneys earned the Connecticut Cannabis Chamber of Commerce's Lawyer of the Year Award, he proudly noted. "It was interesting when Connecticut legalized medical marijuana," Hoffman said. "First we had to deal with those issues as a legal community, and with recreational, issues have just multiplied." Legal marijuana is just one of the areas identified by law firms contacted by New Haven Biz as major sources of growth for their practices. Others include energy – especially alternative energy – startups and business development, mediation and intellectual property. Old standbys like labor and healthcare law are also showing an upward swing, they said. Richard L. Street, managing partner of the Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP law firm, said New Haven's booming biotech sector has given his practice a big boost. It's not just Yale-related companies, Street said. e city has earned a reputation as a great place for young entrepreneurs to move to and start a business, thanks to its relatively low rents and plethora of entertainment, cultural and restaurant options, he said. "ere are people coming to New Haven because it's known for biotech," said Street, whose firm has offices in New Haven, Waterbury and Stamford. "It started with Yale. Now it's taking off on its own. VC (venture capital) money is available. It's a pretty interesting time in New Haven." Carmody provides fledgling firms with everything – from legal documents to create a company, to assistance with visas for foreign workers, to help complying with employment and labor law, Street said. Immigration law related to visas has been a particular source of growth, he said. "We can offer a full suite of services to support them and advise them through the startup process, which can be challenging," he said. e bonanza in biotech is helping fuel another growth area for Carmody, in intellectual property, Street said. Firms, especially in the tech sector, are increasingly keen to protect their creations, he said. For tech firms, that includes not only code but things like a website's look and feel, according to Street. "In this digital age, it's become crucial to businesses to protect their IT," Street said. Another area of growth for the firm is work related to blockchain technology — for example an entrepreneur looking to try to replace Lee Hoffman, managing partner at Pullman & Comley. PHOTOS | CONTRIBUTED

• Cover