On a frigid February morning, Tom and Michael Lynch pull into the parking lot of their Cherry Street office together, fresh from their daily coffee run to Dunkin' Donuts. It's a small ritual: twenty minutes in the car, father and son, talking about life and work before the day officially begins.
In 1949, after graduating from Yale Law School and serving on General Douglas MacArthur's staff in post-World War II Japan, Richard Lynch returned to Connecticut and opened a solo law practice in Milford. That small office marked the beginning of what would become a 77-year legacy. Today, Lynch, Trembicki & Boynton operates under Richard’s son, Tom, and grandson, Michael, who are hard at work serving clients with the same commitment to personalized service that Richard established decades ago.
Tom Lynch joined his father's practice in 1980 after graduating from UConn Law School. He knew from a young age this was his path – his academic interests in history and political science pointed naturally toward law, and watching his father work only confirmed it. "I enjoy what I do," Tom says simply. "I'm fortunate to have a very active practice."
That practice has kept him busy for 46 years now, handling everything from zoning work for commercial real estate to estate planning and administration. It's the variety that makes it rewarding. "Every week I get calls from clients with differing legal needs," he explains. "That's what makes it so enjoyable."
Richard Lynch served as Milford's town attorney until 1963, building connections that helped shape his practice for decades. He partnered with John Ronan for 20 years until Ronan was appointed a Superior Court judge in 1984. The partnership was one Tom remembers fondly –Ronan was a man of great integrity who helped set the tone for how the firm would operate.
Today, the firm includes partners Alex Trembicki, Tom's classmate from law school and a seasoned trial attorney, and Michael Boynton, a former public defender who concentrates on criminal law. But perhaps the most significant addition came when Tom's son Michael joined the practice after graduating from Quinnipiac Law School in 2012.
Michael's path to law wasn't as predetermined as his father's. He was a late bloomer academically, he admits, finding his focus in high school when he became class president at Foran. At Fairfield University, he studied history and political science, but it was the public speaking and community engagement that really drew him toward law. "I didn't want to work for some big firm in New York City," he says. "I'm very homegrown."
That local connection has become Michael's greatest asset. During his college and law school summers, he bartended at Stonebridge, building relationships that would later become professional ones. "Most of the people are all clients of mine now," he says. "It's nice being so active in the community."
The firm's practice covers the fundamental legal needs most people encounter throughout their lives. Michael focuses heavily on residential real estate, along with wills, trusts, estates, and small business formation. Many clients start with a house closing, then return for estate planning, and later for other family needs."
This is precisely the kind of accessibility the firm prides itself on. For people who have never worked with an attorney, the practice offers a reassuring entry point. Michael makes himself available, understanding that in the digital age, quick communication can make the difference between gaining or losing a client. He's intentional about keeping things personal, meeting clients face-to-face whenever possible, even during COVID when he conducted closings outdoors with documents and hand sanitizer.
"At the end of the day, you're helping people," Michael says. "You're taking on their stress, putting yourself in their shoes. They look to you for guidance."
Tom has spent his entire life in Milford and has watched the city transform. He believes the Planning and Zoning Board has done excellent work ensuring responsible development. "Milford hasn't lost its character," he insists. "I think Milford's just progressed greatly. It's a wonderful town."
Michael echoes this sentiment. As president of the Milford Bar Association, he works to grow the organization and support the greater community. His family is out every weekend supporting local businesses, attending city events, and participating in everything from the tree lighting to the downtown festivals.
Tom's vision for Milford's future is equally optimistic. He'd like to see the city continue to grow, maintain its strong educational system, and welcome the diversity that's emerged in recent years. As for the firm itself, the goal is simple: maintain the quality of work while perhaps finding ways to streamline processes, allowing more time for family and life outside the office. Michael hopes to carry on the legacy his grandfather started, possibly even seeing one of his own children join the practice someday – though he's quick to add that there's no pressure.
For now, Lynch, Trembicki & Boynton continues doing what it's done for 77 years: providing accessible, personalized legal services to Milford families and businesses, one client at a time.
"Every week I get calls from clients with differing legal needs. That's what makes it so enjoyable."
"At the end of the day, you're helping people. You're taking on their stress, putting yourself in their shoes. They look to you for guidance."