Democrat Susan Bysiewicz Joining Newly Formed Law Firm In Glastonbury Office; Not Ruling Out A Return To Politics In The Future

Susan Bysiewicz, the one-time leader in the polls in 2009 to become governor of Connecticut, has joined a newly formed law firm in Glastonbury.

A Democrat, Bysiewicz won three statewide elections and served as Secretary of the State for 12 years. She attempted to run for state attorney general, but the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that she did not have the necessary 10 years of active practice of law – and thus she was blocked from the ballot in 2010.

She recently joined the new firm of Pastore, Shofi & Dailey, which has offices in New York City and Stamford. Bysiewicz will practice corporate law in the Glastonbury office, which will serve the Greater Hartford region.

But Bysiewicz, 51, is not ruling out a future return to politics.

“I certainly leave that open as a possibility for the future,” Bysiewicz told Capitol Watch in an interview. “Right now, I am focusing on building this legal practice. … I’m leaving that open for the future.’’

When asked if she would be on the ballot in 2014 or 2016, Bysiewicz said, “I don’t have any immediate plans to pursue public office because I have focusing on building a private practice.’’

The name partners in the new firm are Joseph M. Pastore, Leanne Shofi, and William M. Dailey.

A graduate of Yale and Duke University law school, Bysiewicz has previously practiced law at the firms of White and Case in New York City and Robinson and Cole in Hartford.

“Joe Pastore is a law colleague of mine,” Bysiewicz said Tuesday. “I know Joe from his work at Kelley Drye and Warren and most recently he was a managing partner at Smith, Gambrell and Russell in New York City. He recently started this firm, which has offices in New York and Stamford, and he asked me if I wanted to open a Hartford area office. The idea of helping business clients was very appealing to me. I had represented businesses at both Robinson and Cole and White and Case – both financial institutions and banks and businesses who were seeking financing. This was an opportunity to work with some excellent lawyers.’’

The lawyers at the firm have worked at New York law firms and bring varied experience to the new offices.

“Some are corporate lawyers. Some are litigators,” she said. “This seemed like the right opportunity at the right time.’’

The firm will focus on corporations and will not be dealing with criminal defense work and divorce cases.

“Our firm specializes in corporate law and business litigation,” Bysiewicz said. “This was a natural way to continue my law practice.’’

She is hoping to encourage more lawyers to join the firm.

“I’d love to be a job creator in Connecticut,” Bysiewicz said. “We’re already doing that.’’