Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 21 FOCUS | L AW Carmody's leadership with Waller Smith & Palmer attorneys who are joining the firm. From left: Fatima Lahnin, Charles C. Anderson, Timothy D. Bleasdale, Catherine A. Marrion, Philip M. Johnstone, Richard L. Street, and Tracy M. Collins. Contributed Photo Street said the firms took time to ensure the move was a good fit for clients before agreeing earlier this year to proceed. For Carmody, the deal offered a chance to strengthen its presence in a part of Connecticut where it had done some work, but saw significant growth opportunities. Collins said Waller Smith was proud of its legacy as the oldest firm in New London County, founded in 1885, but realized it was missing out on opportunities because of its size. She explained the firm mainly focused on serving the local community, but as the region grew — particularly with the activity at Electric Boat — it became difficult to meet clients' needs because they didn't have enough staff. Waller Smith was not looking to join a "huge multinational firm," Collins said, but to find the "proper fit." She added that Carmody is investing in New London and southeastern Connecticut, "and we're thrilled to be the lucky winners." Tough to manage The third law firm combination involved Granby-based Murphy, Laudati, Kiel & Rattigan and Suffield-based Alfano & Flynn. Charles Alfano Jr. said the tie-up was not a merger in the traditional sense. Instead, with his partner Joe Flynn retiring, he negotiated a deal to close the firm founded by his father 25 years ago and become a partner in the firm now called Murphy, Laudati, Kiel & Alfano. As part of the agreement, Alfano closed his firm's Hartford office on Oak Street, but retained his staff, clients and Suffield location. The closing of Alfano & Flynn, a small law firm, is in line with how Jagel, of Harris Beach Murtha, views the recent flurry of mergers. He believes there are tiers in the law firm industry, and that a particular tier now faces survival challenges. "You have regional or local shops, who have 15 to 50 lawyers, that's a tough thing to manage nowadays," he said. "The kinds of infrastructure you've got to have with cyberse- curity, with the technologies that you need, not only the expense of it but the ability to maintain it, manage it, operate it, and to have people who are capable of assisting you with all that." "So, I think that those smaller, local and regional firms," he continued, "unless they have some really valuable niche, I think they have to merge to survive over time." Street, Carmody Torrance's managing partner, said merger conversations happen more often than outsiders might think. "You know, as a law firm managing partner, you always have to be thinking about and paying attention to it," he said. "Conversations about potential combinations are a constant in the law firm industry, but most of those conversations don't result in anything." rrlawpc.com info@rrlawpc.com rrlawpc (860) 278-1150 We extend our deepest gratitude to all our esteemed clients. Whether it's your first year or your 75th year with us, we are truly honored that you continue to choose Reid & Riege for all your general business and transactional legal needs. We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our Reid & Riege friends, family, and dedicated staff for their unwavering support and tireless efforts. Our commitment to prioritizing our clients and providing exceptional service will always remain at the core of who we are and what we do. Thank you for being an integral part of our success. (Top Row) John P. Callahan, Kaitlyn S. Lagassey, John R. Ivimey, Douglas K. Knight, Ingi-Mai Loorand, Brian O'Donnell, Cathryn A. Reynolds, Adam C. Rose, Barbara A. Taylor (Bottom Row) Pamela B. Fleming, Louis J. Donofrio, Mary M. Miller, Thomas R. Kasper, Katherine E. Mulry, Jon P. Newton, Mark X. Ryan Charles Alfano Jr.

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