Lahr, Dillon, Manzulli, Kelley, & Penett, P.C.: Celebrating 25 Years with the Chamber!
Lahr, Dillon, Manzulli, Kelley, & Penett, P.C. (LDMKP) is one of the oldest law firms on Staten Island. Frederick C. Lahr, LDMKP’s founding partner, started the firm around the time of the Great Depression, which means LDMKP is soon approaching its 100th anniversary.
Originally on Bay Street, LDMKP landed at their current location on Decker Avenue in the late 1980s. The funeral-parlor-turned-law-firm boasts two gorgeous, colonial-style buildings on a quiet, residential street in Port Richmond. LDMKP is a staple on Staten Island, showing both incredible resiliency and dedication by having withstood the test of time. This year, LDMKP is proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.
LDMKP primarily practices property law, or real estate law, which includes both residential and commercial real estate. Real estate law covers the buying, using, and selling of land. For most of the late 90’s and early 2000s, Richmond County Savings Bank (RCSB), later New York Community Bank, was LDMKP’s main client. Michael Manzulli, partner at LDMKP, joined the firm in 1975 and later became President of RCSB, which provided a liaison between them and the bank. Eventually, RCSB decided to leave residential lending, which allowed LDMKP to pivot toward other forms of property law and consolidate the firm.
Today, the firm is run by Kathleen Dempsey, daughter of partner James Kelley, and Thomas A. Penett, son of partner Thomas K. Penett. Although Dempsey and Penett Jr. grew up at LDMKP, they officially joined the firm as attorneys in 1996 and 2013, respectively. Part of the beauty in LDMKP is that Dempsey and Penett Jr. have known each other their entire lives, creating a bond of trust unique to lifelong relationships. This bond only contributes to the lawyers’ day-to-day in the office, allowing them to seamlessly communicate, whether working in-person or at home. “At this point, we’re family,” says Dempsey of her relationship with Pennet. “That’s really what it is here. Even our administrative staff we’ve known forever. We keep it close.”
LDMKP lives, breathes, and thrives through local business; the firm is entirely committed to serving Staten Island and the residents that encompass it. Dempsey and Penett, both native Staten Islanders, often meet clients simply by going about their daily lives. “We’re in the community so often, and that’s how we get a lot of our clients,” says Dempsey. “My kids went to school right around here, and Tom’s kids are in school right now. We meet so many people and make relationships just by living here.” Nowadays, the majority of LDMKP’s client base emerges through word of mouth. Staten Island’s close-knit community provides the perfect location for LDMKP and everything the firm stands for.
LDMKP initially joined the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce in 1997 to make themselves known as active supporters of small businesses on Staten Island and to be a part of a community of trustworthy business owners. Over time, the firm started to take advantage of more that the Chamber offers. “We love having the Chamber as a resource because when clients of ours have questions, the Chamber always has the answer,” adds Dempsey. “We are also constantly referring clients to the online directory if they need a recommendation for a specific service. The Chamber has it all.”
The long-time member is especially appreciative of the Chamber’s communication, especially when looking back at height of the pandemic. “The Chamber was great during the beginning of COVID because they sent out all this information that we needed but no one else was giving,” remarks Dempsey. “And all I had to do was open my email to find it. I can’t imagine how many people that helped.”
The Chamber is thrilled to recognize the 25th anniversary of LDMKP with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and looks forward to many more years of partnership!