Law firm Phillips Lytle LLP confirmed Tuesday it has selected the former Donovan State Office Building as its lead choice for relocating, with Benderson Development Co. as the developer and the firm occupying about half of the building.

David McNamara, the firm's managing partner, said Benderson will be submitting an "adaptive re-use" proposal to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. to convert the aging, vacant building at 125 Main St. into the law firm's new headquarters.

The plan comes in response to a request for proposals for Donovan issued by the harbor panel May 2. Responses are due by 4 p.m. June 30, with the preferred developer to be designated by July 18. The project must be completed by Jan. 1, 2014.

Eric Recoon, Benderson's vice president of leasing and development for the Northeast, confirmed the developer's plans but said he couldn't put a dollar value on it at this time.