Robert M. Connolly
Bob Connolly is based in the Louisville office where he previously served as Chair of the firm. He currently serves as General Counsel to the firm. He has been with the firm since 1980 and 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).
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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
General Counsel for the firm (2021-present)
Chair (2015-21)
Management Committee (1995-2007)
Kentucky Legal Education Opportunity (KLEO) Program, Founding Member
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Kentucky Chapter, Board of Trustees (2020-present)
Downtown Louisville Rotary Club, Member
Jefferson Street Baptist Church, Past President
Washington and Lee University School of Law
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Burks Scholar, 1979-1980 (Teaching Fellow in Law)
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Captain, William and Mary Invitational Moot Court Team
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Team Leader, Alderson Program (Federal Penitentiary)
magna cum laude
Dartmouth College
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Dartmouth College Government Research Award
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Rufus Choate Scholar
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Jewitt Tucker Foundation Fellow
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Language studies in Bourges, France 1975
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.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
Chambers USA, "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," Litigation: General Commercial and Litigation: Tort & Insurance Defense (2004-21)
Best Lawyers in America®, Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation (2006-22)
Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year in Bet-the-Company Litigation (2021)
Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2007-21)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Attorneys in the State (2012-15, 2017)
. . . 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.
. . . 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.
. . . an excellent and experienced trial lawyer.
. . . highly recommended by clients.
