Member

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).

Recent Assignments

Successfully represented a commercial property owner whose insurance carrier refused to pay roofing and interior storm damage claims. Following a trial involving 14 witnesses and over 800 exhibits, the jury returned a verdict ($3.9 million) awarding all of the damages incurred.

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

Office of General Counsel, General Counsel (2021-present)

Chair (2015-21)

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

Trial Law Institute

Diversity Law Institute

Community Involvement

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

Education

J.D.,

1980

Washington and Lee University School of Law

Org / Honor

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

Org / Honor

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 (2004-25)

Best Lawyers in America®, Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation (2006-25)

Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year in Bet-the-Company Litigation (2021)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2007-25)

Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Attorneys in the State (2011-15, 2017, 2022, 2024)

Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow

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)

He’s had a 30- or 40- year career as a litigator and has a lot of knowledge and expertise at this point.

Client Comment, Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyers

He’s a very experienced lawyer that we’ve worked with over the years and we’ve been very satisfied with the results and with the ease of working with him. I get along with him on a personal basis.

Client Comment, Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyers

. . . 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)

. . . an excellent and experienced trial lawyer.

Chambers USA

. . . highly recommended by clients.

Chambers USA