Shareholder, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C.
Colin Keefe, a young attorney at a large New York City law firm, was on the fast track to career success. But when he and his wife had their first child eight years ago, Colin realized he wanted more. Moving to Lehigh Valley made that possible.
Colin, who grew up in the New York City suburbs of Westchester County, attended Lehigh University. While at Lehigh, he met his future wife, a Lehigh Valley native. When Colin realized that living and working in one of the world’s largest cities did not allow him the family time he wanted, he and his wife decided that a return to Lehigh Valley was the right move.
“After we had our first child, my wife wanted to be closer to her parents and I wanted to be around the family more. We thought one way to accomplish that would be moving back here,” he said.
He joined Fitzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba, a Lehigh Valley law firm, where he is now a partner and lead attorney for the corporate mergers and acquisitions group. At the time, Colin was unsure of what the change would mean for his legal career, but he soon found that the vibrant economy and large number of successful businesses in Lehigh Valley provided rewarding, complex, and intellectually challenging legal work.
More importantly, however, he found a place that enables him to balance his work as an attorney with time for family, which has now grown to three children.
“It’s the best place to raise a family,” Colin said. “We couldn’t be happier with that aspect of our move. There is a real sense of community here. The community here embraces family life and children in a way that few places do.”
Colin found a home that not only met his personal and professional needs, but also offered amenities such as sporting events, concerts, and theater, along with excellent restaurants. The quality and variety of ethnic restaurants in Lehigh Valley surprised the native New Yorker.
“Hunan Springs in Wescosville is my favorite restaurant, and its Chinese food is as good as any you can find in New York City,” he said.
His advice to others who are coming to Lehigh Valley is to establish connections with your neighbors, and to get out and become a part of the community fabric. Lehigh Valley, he notes, has so much to offer for people who ready to take advantage of those opportunities.
Live like a local:
Favorite night out: Dinner at Torre and a movie at the Promenade
Favorite low-key spot for a drink: ZEST bar+grille, for the view of Bethlehem
Favorite entertainment spot: Dorney Park
Favorite outdoor activity: Ringing Rocks Park in Bucks County. It’s an entire field of boulders that when you hit with a hammer they ring like bells. What kid wouldn’t love that? It’s way cool.