Mr. Richard F. Connelly Jr., Attorney

Rich Connelly received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in 1991 in Criminal Justice. After graduation, Rich was employed with the Athens-Clarke County Solicitor's office and then became a certified police officer in 1992. After two years in law enforcement, Rich enrolled at the University of Georgia School of Law. During law school, Rich was a member of the Joseph Henry Lumpkin Inn of Court and the Order of Barristers.

Rich began working at the law firm of Hudson, Montgomery and Kalivoda in 1995. In 1997, Rich was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia. He has been practicing law for 11 years in Athens and is a partner with the firm. Rich has been a litigator in multiple fields of the law. He has successfully tried numerous jury trials in the areas of personal injury (plaintiff and defense), criminal law (misdemeanor and felony), estate law and domestic relations. He has represented individuals in the State and Superior Courts throughout North Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals and the United States Northern and Middle District Courts. He is currently a member of the Western Circuit Bar Association (Past President) the Lawyers Foundation of Georgia, American Bar Association, and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Previously Rich served on the Board of Directors and Executive Counsel of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia.

Rich volunteers as an attorney coach in the State Bar of Georgia High School Mock Trial Program. He has been an attorney coach for seven years and assisted with the National Championship High School Mock Trial Team for Clarke Central High School in 1999. Rich is also a graduate of the Athens-Clarke County Leadership Athens program and past president of the LEAD Athens Alumni program.

Rich has been married for 13 years to Daley Connelly, who is a Disability Services Specialist at the University of Georgia. Rich has two children, Ansley, who is 9 years old and Ethan who is 6. Rich is a member of Saint Gregory the Great Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia.