Labor and employment boutique Mitchell & Sheahan has opened new office in Stamford to expand into the booming portion of the state that is home to many corporate offices and New York City commuters.

The Stratford-based firm has been considering making a strategic move to the growing area of Fairfield County some time. The firm made a step in that direction late last year when it hired Gary Phelan, a Westport lawyer who previously worked in the employment litigation practice of Cohen and Wolf in Bridgeport.