Chair

Robert M. Connolly

Louisville, KY

Bob Connolly serves as Chairman of the Firm. He is based in the Louisville office and has been with the firm since 1980. He is a member of the firm's Business Litigation Section and the Torts & Insurance Practice Service Group.

Bob has tried more than 80 cases to jury verdicts in several states. He has also argued before every appellate court in the federal and state courts of Kentucky. His practice includes defending complex product liability claims and construction and commercial disputes. He has also had experience in administrative, OSHA, insurance, and admiralty claims.

Bob also served as a Special Justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court, Greene, et. al. v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, Administrative Office of the Courts, et. al., 349 S.W.3d 892 (KY September 22, 2011).

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Administrative Law Appellate Advocacy Arbitration, Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution Business Litigation Class Action, Mass Action & Multi-District Litigation Environmental Litigation Gaming Government & Regulatory Litigation Insurance Coverage, Bad Faith & Regulatory Litigation Litigation & Appeals Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Litigation Product Liability Litigation Professional Liability Litigation

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Market Review: Louisville legal community helps array of clients navigate COVID-19 impact

by Greg Paeth, The Lane Report, August 4, 2020

Ky. Law Firm Leaders' Verdict for 2020: More Growth

The Lane Report, February 3, 2020

After joining Stites & Harbison out of law school, Robert Connolly is set to become the firm's chair

Louisville Business First, December 5, 2014

Bob Connolly finds that being in a courtroom is a "real rush" when things go well

with Mariam Williams, Business First of Louisville, July 8, 2011

Recent Assignments

Trial counsel for a major medical device manufacturer in multiple states

National counsel for a nation-wide construction company in corporate and litigation matters

Supervising trial counsel in mass tort litigation involving more than 2,000 plaintiffs in Kentucky

Bar Admissions

Admitted Pro Hac Vice in Several Jurisdictions

Kentucky

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Firm Leadership

Management Committee (1995-2007)

Memberships

ABA Committee on Products Liability Litigation, Subcommittee on Discovery

American Bar Association, Fellow

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow and Chair, Kentucky State Committee

Defense Research Institute

Kentucky Bar Association

Kentucky Defense Counsel, Former Board Member

Litigation Counsel of America, Order of Justitia

Louisville Bar Association, Member and past member of the board of directors

Louisville Bar Foundation, Inc., Fellow and past president

Maritime Law Association of the United States

Community Involvement

Kentucky Legal Education Opportunity (KLEO) Program, Found Member

The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Kentucky Chapter, Board of Trustees (2020-present)

Downtown Louisville Rotary Club, Member

Jefferson Street Baptist Church, Past President

Education

J.D., 1980

Washington and Lee University School of Law

Burks Scholar, 1979-1980 (Teaching Fellow in Law)
Captain, William and Mary Invitational Moot Court Team
Team Leader, Alderson Program (Federal Penitentiary)

B.A., with high distinction, Government (Honors), 1977 magna cum laude

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College Government Research Award
Rufus Choate Scholar
Jewitt Tucker Foundation Fellow
Language studies in Bourges, France 1975

More Than Stites & Harbison

Mr. Connolly is involved in a number of civic and charitable activities. He is past President of the Board of Directors of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church, a local homeless shelter dedicated to mentally ill and chemically dependent individuals. He is the past President of the Louisville Bar Foundation and a member of Downtown Louisville Rotary Club. Mr. Connolly is a past member of the Dartmouth Alumni Council. Mr. Connolly also enjoys skiing, backpacking and scuba diving.

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell^® AV-Preeminent^® Peer Review Rated

Chambers USA, "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," Litigation: General Commercial and Litigation: Tort & Insurance Defense (2004-20)

Best Lawyers in America^®, Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation (2006-20)

Kentucky Super Lawyers^®(2007-20)

Kentucky Super Lawyers^®, Top 50 Attorneys in the State (2012-15, 2017)

Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

Testimonials

“

. . . is noted for his excellent ability as a trial lawyer. He offers significant expertise in tort disputes as part of a broad commercial litigation practice.

- Chambers Commentary (USA), 2020

“

. . . results oriented business litigator who is strategic, knowledgeable and gives great advice . . . highlighted for his strengths in construction and product liability disputes and also noted for wide-ranging experience in appellate proceedings.

- Chambers Commentary (USA), 2016

“

. . . an excellent and experienced trial lawyer.

- Chambers USA

“

. . . highly recommended by clients.

- Chambers USA

Contact Resources

Robert M. Connolly's PDF Robert M. Connolly's Contact VCF

See more related to Robert M. Connolly

Press Releases

Robert Connolly Elected to The Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Nature Conservancy recently elected Stites & Harbison, PLLC Chair, Robert M. Connolly, to its Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Chapter.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC May 08, 2020

Press Releases

Chambers USA 2020 Honors 19 Stites & Harbison Attorneys

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 19 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2020 guide.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC May 05, 2020

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 45 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2020

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2020 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 42 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 32 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 13 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC December 12, 2019

Press Releases

Best Lawyers in America Honors 75 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2020

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 has recognized 75 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as selected by their peers in 49 areas of practice. Forty-three of those attorneys selected have been honored for 10 consecutive years or more.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 22, 2019

Press Releases

Chambers USA 2019 Honors Stites & Harbison

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 16 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2019 guide.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC May 08, 2019

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 42 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2019

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2019 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 42 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 33 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and nine attorneys to the Rising Stars list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC December 07, 2018

Press Releases

Best Lawyers in America honors 72 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2019

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 has recognized 72 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as selected by their peers in 49 areas of practice. Forty-two of those attorneys selected have been honored for 1...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 16, 2018

Press Releases

Chambers USA 2018 Honors Stites & Harbison

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 18 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2018 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC May 08, 2018

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers honors 51 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2018 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 55 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 39 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 12 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC December 11, 2017

Press Releases

Best Lawyers in America honors 79 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America© 2018 has recognized 79 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as selected by their peers in 51 areas of practice. The number of honorees increased since last year, 74 to...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 17, 2017

Press Releases

Civil War Trust Recognizes Stites & Harbison

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 16, 2017)—At its annual conference held in Chattanooga, Tenn., on June 10, 2017, the Washington, D.C.-based Civil War Trust recognized the law firm of Stites & Harbison, PLLC for providing over $1,500,00...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC June 16, 2017

Press Releases

Chambers USA 2017 honors Stites & Harbison

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 22 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2017 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC June 02, 2017

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers honors 55 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2017 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 55 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 41 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC November 22, 2016

Press Releases

Best Lawyers in America honors 74 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America© 2017 has recognized 74 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as selected by their peers in 51 areas of practice. The Best Lawyers in America© is a nationally recognized referral...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 29, 2016

Press Releases

Chambers USA 2016 Honors Stites & Harbison

(image) LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 21 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2016 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC June 08, 2016

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers honors 64 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2016

(image) LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2016 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 64 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 49 attorneys to the Super Lawyers...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC December 08, 2015

Press Releases

Best Lawyers honors 72 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2016

(image) LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America® 2016 has recognized 72 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as selected by their peers in 50 areas of practice. The Best Lawyers in America® is a nationally recognized...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 20, 2015

Press Releases

Chambers USA 2015 honors Stites & Harbison

LOUISVILLE, Ky.— The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States. The list is developed based on client and peer interviews discussing the skills of individual attorneys...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC May 22, 2015

Articles

After joining Stites & Harbison out of law school, Robert Connolly is set to become the firm's chair

When 2015 hits, Robert Connolly officially takes over as the chairman of Stites & Harbison PLLC.

by Robert M. Connolly December 05, 2014

Press Releases

Super Lawyers honor Stites & Harbison's Kentucky Attorneys

(image) LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Super Lawyers names 52 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices for inclusion on the 2015 Kentucky Super Lawyers list and 18 attorneys are named...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC December 01, 2014

Press Releases

Robert Connolly Named to Lead Stites & Harbison

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announced that Robert (Bob) Connolly has been elected as the firm’s new Chair effective January 2015. Connolly will succeed Ken Sagan, who will have served as the firm’s Chair-Elect...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC September 25, 2014

Press Releases

Robert Connolly inducted as Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) recently inducted Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Robert (Bob) Connolly as a Fellow. The induction ceremony took place on September 12 in London, England, during the...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC September 19, 2014

Press Releases

Best Lawyers honors 89 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2015

(image) LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America® 2015 has recognized 89 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as selected by their peers in 57 areas of practice. The Best Lawyers in America® is a nationally...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 22, 2014

Press Releases

Chambers USA honors Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 34 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2014 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC May 30, 2014

Press Releases

Super Lawyers honors Stites & Harbison's Kentucky attorneys for 2013-14

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Super Lawyers names 53 Stites & Harbison attorneys in the Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices for inclusion on the 2013-14 Kentucky Super Lawyers list and 19 attorneys are named on the inaugural...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC December 17, 2013

Press Releases

Eighty-nine Stites & Harbison attorneys honored by Best Lawyers in America for 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC, is pleased to announce that 89 of our attorneys were recently selected by their peers for their work in 57 areas of practice in The Best Lawyers in America®...

by Stites & Harbison PLLC August 27, 2013

Press Releases

Super Lawyers honors Stites & Harbison's Kentucky attorneys

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Super Lawyers has named 48 Stites & Harbison attorneys in the Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices for inclusion on the Kentucky Super Lawyers list.Super Lawyers (www.superlawyers.com) is a rating service of outstanding...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 22, 2012

Press Releases

Seventy-five Stites & Harbison attorneys honored in Best Lawyers in America

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison announced today that 75 of its attorneys were recently selected by their peers for their work in 55 areas of practice in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012. Twenty-five of...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC September 12, 2011

Press Releases

Thirty-five Stites & Harbison attorneys selected for inclusion on Kentucky Super Lawyers for 2001

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Super Lawyers has named Stites & Harbison’s Charles J. (Mike) Cronan IV, a health care and litigation attorney, as “Top Point Getter” on their 2011 Kentucky Super Lawyers list. A total of 3...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 02, 2011

Articles

Bob Connolly finds that being in a courtroom is a "real rush" when things go well

Bob Connolly has argued in front of the Kentucky Supreme Court, the highest appellate court in the state. He describes appellate courts as intellectual and academic, but he finds jury trials more fun. _________________________This...

by Mariam Williams July 08, 2011

Press Releases

Chambers USA honors 31 Stites & Harbison attorneys with inclusion in the 2011 guide

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 31 Stites & Harbison attorneys firmwide for inclusion in the 2011 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States. Researchers interview...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC June 17, 2011

Press Releases

Seventy-three Stites & Harbison attorneys honored in "Best Lawyers in America"

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison announced today that 73 of its attorneys were recently selected by their peers for their work in 35 areas of practice in The Best Lawyers in America®2011. Sixteen of the...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 11, 2010

Press Releases

Chambers USA honors 32 Stites & Harbison attorneys with inclusion in the 2010 guide

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 32 Stites & Harbison attorneys firmwide for inclusion in the 2010 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States. Researchers interview...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 02, 2010

Press Releases

Seventy-two Stites & Harbison attorneys honored in "Best Lawyers in America"

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison announced today that 72 of its attorneys were recently selected by their peers for their work in 33 areas of practice in The Best Lawyers in America® 2010. Those attorneys...

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC September 10, 2009