Overview

John F. Stafstrom Jr. is co-chair of the Public and Private Finance Department and is experienced in the fields of government and municipal law, public finance, public/private partnerships, commercial finance and commercial transactions.

John has served as bond counsel, letter-of-credit counsel and underwriters’ counsel in large government bond transactions and has represented borrowers in significant government finance transactions. He also has drafted significant legislation in the public finance area.

John has extensive experience in negotiating contracts between private developers and contract operators and government entities. He has counseled government entities and private businesses in transactions involving public/private partnerships and all types of governmental incentives.

Office

  • Bridgeport
    850 Main Street
    P.O. Box 7006
    Bridgeport, CT 06601-7006

    • Professional Affiliations

    National Association of Bond Lawyers

    Council of Development Finance Agencies

    Government Finance Officers Association

    Community Involvement

    • Lambda Legal – Immediate Past Chair, National Board of Directors 
    • P.T. Barnum Foundation, Inc. - Board of Directors and 2013 Barnum Festival Ringmaster
    • Nourish Bridgeport - Board of Directors
    • Bridgeport City Council - former four term member
    • Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee – former Chairman
    • Bridgeport Regional Business Council - Vice Chairman, Board of Directors; former long term chair, Government Relations Committee
    • Career Resources, Inc. – founder

    Honors & Recognitions

    • Named a Moffly Media Top Lawyer in Fairfield County, 2023 and 2024 - Government and Administrative
    • Received President’s Award from Career Resources, 2020
    • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of public finance law since 2018
    • Received the highest peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell (AV) 
    • Inducted into the Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut's Hall of Fame, 2016
    • "Strong Community Builder Award" from the Alpha Community Services Branch YMCA, 2007
    • "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year" in the category of Leadership from the Volunteer Association of Greater Bridgeport
    • "Impact Award" from the Bridgeport Regional Business Council
    • "Community Builder Award" from the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County

    Experience

    • Representation of Connecticut Innovations, Inc. and the University of Connecticut on the Jackson Laboratory Project in the structuring of $191 million in forgivable loans and $99 million in grants and as liaison with the State Treasurer and State Office of Policy and Management on the $290 million in State bond financing needed to create the Connecticut BioScience Collaboration and to site the Jackson Laboratory at the University of Connecticut as an economic generator
    • Representation of Stamford's Harborpoint Infrastructure Improvement District in its establishment as a special tax district including advisement of its structure and by-laws, bidding procedures, and corporate governance as well as structuring a 30-year tax sharing agreement with the City of Stamford and the issuance of $145 million in bonds to finance the public infrastructure of this $1 billion revitalization project
    • Representation of Connecticut’s largest City as bond counsel in all manner of transactions including general obligation bonds, pension bonds, taxable economic development bonds, and tax incremental financings. Represented the City in connection with funding for schools, an arena, a ballpark, numerous economic development projects and public/private partnerships
    • Representation of one of the country’s largest corporations and employers in negotiating tax incentives with the State of Connecticut and with two local municipalities to foster the siting of two separate facilities employing over 4,000 people
    • Representation of the Connecticut Airport Authority since its inception in establishing the Authority and its bylaws and operating procedures. Represented the Authority in the issuance of $151 million of revenue backed taxable and tax-exempt bonds to finance the construction of a new consolidated rental car facility and parking at Bradley International Airport
    • Representation of a development entity in the initial phase of a multi-phased project to rehabilitate long abandoned factory buildings and brownfields sites into hundreds of units of housing and a charter school. Negotiated financing from private investors, State grants, CHFA bonds purchased by a union and historic and low income housing tax credit.

    News & Insights

    News

    Publications

    Case Studies

    • Working to Achieve Full Equality for all LGBTQ Americans

      Lambda Legal is the premiere LGBTQ civil rights organization in the country committed to achieving full equality for LGBTQ individuals and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation and advocacy. Pullman & Comley has been a proud supporter of the organization and its mission since 2003.

      09.24.2019
    • Innovative Bond Financing for Bridgeport

      Pullman & Comley continued its long-term engagement as bond counsel to the City of Bridgeport and assisted the city's administration with an innovative four (4) series financing that helped balance the current year's budget.

    • Transformation of Blighted Property into Multifamily Housing and School

      Attorneys from our Government Finance and Real Estate practice were instrumental in the transformation of a blighted industrial property in Bridgeport into multifamily housing and a new charter school.

    • Attorneys Assist Town in Converting an Abandoned Mill into Apartments

      Pullman represented Beacon Communities in connection with the rehabilitation of the old J.R. Montgomery mill complex in Windsor Locks.

    • Serving as Bond Counsel for Senior Health Care Provider

      In November 2016, the firm’s Government Finance practice served as bond counsel to the State of Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority on its $115,785,000 Revenue Bonds, Masonicare Issues, Series F and G. Masonicare is the largest provider of senior health care, senior living, home care and hospice in Connecticut.

    • Providing Needed Guidance to Entrepreneurs and Startups 

      Pullman & Comley is participating in a number of endeavors to help Connecticut entrepreneurs and startups launch and build new businesses.

    • Factory Conversion Revitalizes Industrial District 

      The firm’s Government Finance and Real Estate practices have been instrumental in the initial transformation of a blighted industrial property along Interstate 95 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

    • Complex Transaction Expands Downtown Bridgeport’s Renaissance

      An interdisciplinary team of our Government Finance and Real Estate attorneys represented Forstone Capital in the renovation of McLevy Square, a four building, half-acre, historic site located in the heart of downtown Bridgeport overlooking McLevy Green, the city’s downtown public green space.

    • “Haven South” to Deliver Shoreline Renaissance to West Haven

      Pullman & Comley’s Real Estate and Land Use, Environmental and Government Finance attorneys have been working with the mayor and officials from the City of West Haven to develop an underutilized portion of the city’s shoreline on Long Island Sound.

    • Remaking Bridgeport's Waterfront

      The firm represents the City of Bridgeport and the Steel Point Infrastructure Improvement District in the development of one of Bridgeport's most significant economic development projects, that when completed, will transform Bridgeport’s harbor and establish the city as a retail and recreational maritime destination. Adjacent to Interstate 95, the 50-acre, waterfront project is expected to contain more than one million square feet of retail, commercial, hotel and residential space and feature a marina.

    Bar and Court Admissions

    • Connecticut
    • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut

    Education

    University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1981; editor, Connecticut Law Review

    College of the Holy Cross, B.A. in economics and accounting, 1978 

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