New Leadership Appointments Announced for Executive Committee, Executive Board, and Energy Practice

Day Pitney LLP’s partners elected Michael P. Byrne as Managing Partner of the firm, effective April 2. Byrne succeeds Gregory A. Hayes, who is stepping down as Managing Partner and will focus exclusively on his private client practice. Hayes served eight years on the firm’s Executive Committee, including three years as Managing Partner.

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Michael Byrne, Managing Partner of Day Pitney LLP

"Leading this firm has been one of the great privileges of my career,” Hayes said. “We have made tangible progress growing the platform, strengthening our practices, and investing in markets where our clients need us most. Mike brings the relationships, judgment, and vision to continue that momentum. I leave this role with real confidence in where we're headed." Hayes will remain involved in the firm’s ongoing strategic growth initiatives in addition to his private client practice.

“We are incredibly grateful to Greg for his leadership and his many contributions to the firm's growth and success,” said Byrne. “Day Pitney is in a position of strength, and we will build on that success through a deliberate strategic growth plan, while being attentive to the market dynamics and technological shifts in the legal industry.”

Byrne has served on the firm’s Executive Committee for three years and, before that, was the chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice for over ten years. He transitions to the role of Managing Partner at a moment of significant momentum for the firm. Since spring 2023, Day Pitney has added 40 partners, including 21 lateral hires and 19 partner promotions, deepening its presence in key markets, with significant expansion in Boston, Florida, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. These investments reflect a truly regional platform with nationally recognized practices that serve clients in complex, high-stakes matters.

As Managing Partner, Byrne will initially focus on two core initiatives–a deliberate, partnership-driven strategic growth plan and the implementation of innovative and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. In his first months as Managing Partner, he will also conduct a structured listening tour and strategic review designed to align the firm around clear priorities and opportunities for growth.

In addition to his leadership role, Byrne will continue his commercial real estate transactions practice, representing a broad range of clients on real estate finance transactions, acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development, and joint ventures. His clients include life insurance companies, banks, pension funds, investment banks, commercial lenders, corporations, private equity funds, religious organizations, utility companies, and high-net-worth individuals. He has been ranked in Chambers USA for Real Estate in Connecticut (click here for Chambers methodology) and named to the Best Lawyers® in real estate law (click here for the Best Lawyers methodology).

Byrne also serves on the board of Stamford Center for the Arts and is a prior board member of Beachside of Connecticut Soccer Club and the March of Dimes Real Estate Awards Breakfast. He is the Past President of the Real Estate Finance Association and the Westport Soccer Association. Byrne earned his B.S. from Boston College and his J.D. from Boston College Law School. He is admitted to practice law in Connecticut.

In addition to Byrne, the firm made the following other new leadership appointments, effective April 2:

Executive Committee:
Hartford Partner Sebastian M. Lombardi, formerly head of the firm’s Energy practice, will serve on the Executive Committee, joining current members Elizabeth A. Alquist (Hartford) and Byrne.

Executive Board:
Boston Partner Jonathan S. Zelig will serve on the firm’s Executive Board, succeeding Hartford Partner Namita Tripathi Shah, who served three years on the board. Zelig joins current board members Tasha K. Dickinson (West Palm Beach), Joseph H. Fagan (Washington, D.C.), Amy R. Lonergan (Boston), and Mark Salah Morgan (New Jersey/New York).

Energy Practice:
Washington, D.C. Partner Valerie L. Green was named chair of the firm’s Energy practice, succeeding Lombardi.

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About Day Pitney LLP

Day Pitney, an East Coast-based law firm with national and international reach, has more than 300 attorneys in 13 offices in Boston, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Providence, and Washington, DC. The firm offers clients strong corporate and litigation practices, with experience on behalf of large national and international corporations, as well as emerging and middle-market companies. With one of the largest and most sophisticated private client practices in the country, the firm also has extensive experience helping individuals and their families, fiduciaries and tax-exempt entities plan for the future.

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Since spring 2023, Day Pitney has added 40 partners, including 21 lateral hires and 19 partner promotions, deepening its presence in key markets, with significant expansion in Boston, Florida, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.