An expert at settlement Judge Connelly gained a reputation of mediating difficult cases by treating every lawyer with respect, being incredibly prepared and by exhibiting patience all throughout the process. His use of common sense and professionalism followed him throughout his career both on the bench and in private practice.

Judge Connelly is highly regarded for his fair and creative approach to each matter. He was often praised for being one of the hardest working judges on the bench who listened carefully to every detail until the matter resolved.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

• Business/Commercial
• Construction
• Construction Defect
• Employment
• Insurance
• Intellectual Property
• Personal Injury
• Professional Liability

Representative Matters

• Bankruptcy
• Mediated adversary proceedings in bankruptcy actions
• Business Commercial
• Mediated Breach of Contract cases
• Mediated Business Dissolution matters
• Civil Rights
• Mediated cases involving use of excessive force by police
• Mediated cases involving false arrest
• Construction
• Mediated cases involving design and construction defects
• Mediated claims by construction contractors
• Discovery
• Supervised the conduct of all phases of discovery in numerous complicated civil matters
• Employment
• Mediated claims of Discrimination
• Mediated claims of Sexual harassment
• Mediated cases arising under FLSA and ERISA
• Mediated discrimination cases based on gender, national origin, race, disability, age and pregnancy
• Mediated claims of retaliation brought under Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA and corresponding state and local laws
• Insurance
• Mediated Coverage disputes
• Mediated Property loss issues
• Mediated Subrogation claims
• Mediated Interpleader actions involving insurance proceeds
• Intellectual Property
• Mediated Trademark disputes
• Mediated Copyright disputes
• Personal Injury Torts
• Mediated Automobile accident cases
• Mediated Medical malpractice cases
• Mediated Product Liability cases
• Mediated motor vehicle, rail, bus and premises liability cases
• Mediated Wrongful Death cases
• Professional Liability
• Mediated claims of Legal Malpractice
• Mediated claims of Medical Malpractice
• Trusts/Estates
• Mediated disputes involving the interpretation of trust provisions

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

• Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS
• Taught by invitation for many institutions, bar associations, and professional organizations
• Board of Directors Federal Bar Association (Maryland Chapter)
• Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association
• Recipient of the Maryland Bar Foundation’s Advancement of Professional Competence Award
• Recipient of the Federal Bar Association’s Peter A. Dirito Award

Background and Education

• Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland,1995-2017 (Chief Magistrate Judge 2012-2017)
• Partner, Stern and Connelly, 1981-1995
• First law Clerk to the late Hon. Howard S. Chasanow
• LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center, 1979
• J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 1976
• B.A., University of Maryland, 1973
• Commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1973. Served for 28 years as a Judge Advocate (active duty 1977-1981, reserved duty 1981-2005). Judge, Air Force Court of Military Appeals 1990-2005. Retired as Lieutenant Colonel.