Hartford Business Journal

12 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2026 Fatima Lahnin is the new managing partner of New Haven-based law firm Carmody, Torrance, Sandak and Hennessey. HBJ Photo | Steve Laschever People Strategy New Carmody Managing Partner Lahnin targets talent-driven growth breach-of-contract dispute against Cortron, a competitor in the printing technology industry. The case resulted in a $64 million judgment, which at the time was described as the largest intel- lectual property verdict in Connecticut. Merger streak Lahnin made partner in 2009, and has served in a number of leadership roles for the firm over the years. Now she steps up to managing partner, the third woman to take the position at Carmody. Ann Rubin was the first in 2005 — also the first woman elected to that role in any major Connecticut law firm. Lahnin replaces Rick Street, who had led the firm since February 2020. Street said the leadership transition had been in planning for about a year and that he and Lahnin worked closely on the handoff. "Carmody will be in exceptionally good hands under Fatima's leadership," Street said. Street's tenure was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subse- quent recovery, but he also guided the firm through a period of acquisitions. In 2023, Carmody merged with Guilford-based litigation and trial firm Donahue, Durham & Noonan, and then in 2025 it took on New London's Waller Smith & Palmer, bringing the firm to 95 attorneys with about 75 support staff. Those mergers followed a much larger combination in 2014, when Carmody & Torrance joined with Stam- ford's Sandak, Hennessey & Greco. Lahnin said the expansion strategy By Harriet Jones hjones@hartfordbusiness.com F atima Lahnin, the new managing partner at Carmody, Torrance, Sandak and Hennessey, has spent her entire 25-year legal career at the New Haven firm, a fact that she says exemplifies its culture. "When I think about what makes Carmody Carmody, it's the people, the talent, and the clients first and fore- most," she said in a recent interview. In a profession where the departure rate for associates leaving their law firms within four years is over 70%, Lahnin would like to keep promoting that culture of longevity. "A lot of what I'm going to be focused on is talent retention," she says of her new role. "I was given opportunity very early on, and it was really instilled in me that this is your opportunity to grow and to create a career for yourself. So I was set up for success and I want to continue that." IP law Lahnin was born in Morocco. Her parents immigrated to the U.S. when she was two years old, landing in Wallingford, where there was a family connection. She's maintained ties with the country, and adopted two children from Morocco 10 years ago. She continues to make her home in Wallingford. Lahnin didn't initially gravitate toward the law, and instead saw herself heading to medical school. She worked at Yale's Child Study Center, doing research into childhood developmental disorders. When she changed tracks to law, she attended Northeastern Univer- sity School of Law, and then returned to New Haven, seeking a position in medical malpractice at what was then Carmody & Torrance. After about five years in medical malpractice, she moved into intellectual property law, where she has remained. "It's very complex in the sense that it's always changing," she said of her specialty. "The law is ever evolving as technology changes and new issues arise. So I found it challenging." She also enjoys the challenge of learning about clients' technology and inventions so that she can represent them. Her career has included several high-profile cases. Lahnin was part of the legal team representing Water- bury-based MacDermid Printing Solutions in a trade secrets and FATIMA LAHNIN Managing Partner Carmody, Torrance, Sandak and Hennessey Education: Bachelor's degree, Central Connecticut State Univer- sity; Law degree, Northeastern University School of Law Age: 51

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