Paul R. Comeau ’73
Paul R. Comeau ’73, chairperson emeritus and senior partner at Hodgson Russ LLP, helped create the firm’s state and local tax practice. He focuses his practice on high-net-worth clients, tax planning for individuals and businesses, and multistate tax issues.
About this Interview
Interview Date(s)
April 10, 2017
Occasion
Recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Business at the 56th Annual UB Law Alumni Association Dinner
Interviewed By
Amy L. Hemenway
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About Paul R. Comeau
One of six children, Paul Comeau came from a small town and had to pay his own way through law school. Moving to Buffalo was a huge adjustment for him. He took an accounting course in college and barely passed.
But in law school, a mandatory tax course taught him logic and clarity. His professors—Louis Del Cotto and Ken Joyce—inspired him and guided his practice. He took every tax course he could.
He became a tax attorney because his bosses at Hodgson Russ saw that he had taken so many tax classes in law school. His tax practice evolved over time. He considers his greatest accomplishment helping to create the state and local tax practice group at the firm.
When he joined Hodgson Russ, no such group existed, and he began at the bottom because the firm did not consider the practice sophisticated. Today, Comeau’s work in the high-end tax and real estate arena has gained national recognition.
Comeau enjoys collaborating with his clients, hearing their problems and producing solutions. He likes to help families and businesses, and propel their success. He believes that the opportunities for lawyers are at an all-time high.
Work-life balance is important to Comeau, who travels frequently and tries to find ways to be with his family and continue his hobbies. Additionally, he remains engaged with UB Law. After graduation, he stayed connected with Professor Del Cotto and ended up teaching a course on taxes. He found it challenging but was honored to teach it. Later, he became a founding member of a tax certification course at UB. Comeau serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council and helped fund-raise for the law school.
He said the law school has excellent professors and students. His firm attracts a lot of UB Law graduates and has expanded from 20 lawyers to 200.
Comeau advises law students to be curious and willing to learn from their professors. “Education is all around you, and it’s important to do the best you can and apply yourself.” Oral, written and technical advocacy are vital skills to become successful.
