Meet Professor Connolly

Interview with: BRUCE CONNOLLY Assistant Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research

Professor Connolly began his career as a corporate What do you find most enjoyable about teaching at Ave Maria Law? I enjoy working with such collaborative and supportive colleagues each day. The deans, fellow faculty members, and the staff have been extremely helpful during my first year of teaching, and I am grateful for all their support and encouragement. I look forward to continuing to work with them in furthering our mission and providing the highest quality of education to our students. Besides my colleagues, I also value the daily connections I make with students. I am frequently present at the law school and available to students as often as possible. Conversations with students often evolve from hypothetical to practical scenarios, frequently drawn from my experience, and I enjoy these exchanges both inside and outside the classroom. It is quite satisfying when students grasp a complex idea or leave class or my office with a better understanding of something after working through it together. I welcome the opportunity to advise and assist them whenever possible. Finally, I strongly support our mission. I attended Catholic schools for my entire education and am honored to work at a place where faith plays such an important role. I am blessed to be a part of the Ave Maria Law community. What is the most important lesson law students learn from Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research? How to think like an attorney. A strong foundation in legal analysis is crucial to every class they will take in law school. The skills they learn in the LAWR program are the building blocks for what they will do throughout law school and their professional careers.

associate at Cahill Gordon & Reindel in New York City. He then joined the law firm of Raiser & Kenniff, P.C., first as an associate and then a partner, where he practiced mainly criminal defense in both state and federal courts. He has been lead counsel on bench and jury trials, and many of his cases have drawn attention in the New York City media. He was also active in the firm’s civil department for matters involving civil rights, employment, personal injury and

general commercial litigation. Prior to teaching, you have had quite a bit of experience as a corporate attorney and as a practicing criminal defense attorney. For students hoping to become corporate attorneys or criminal defense attorneys, what insight would you provide to them? These two practice areas are complete opposites. Corporate law was purely transactional work, where I assisted on leveraged finance and high-yield debt deals. Criminal law was litigation, where I was often in multiple courthouses each day. Corporate law on Wall Street was exciting and challenging, but criminal law was my long-term passion. It was intimidating to change to such a different area of law without any experience, but the attorneys at my new firm appreciated this learning curve and were willing to invest time and effort to teach me. I spent my first few months in criminal law watching and observing in courtrooms and client meetings. Don’t be afraid to transition to a new practice area or aspect of the legal profession. And if you do, find a supportive environment that helps facilitate it. I encourage students and alumni seeking career advice to reach out to me with questions.

What is one of the best pieces of advice you have been given that you’ve taken with you throughout your life and career? Find a trusted mentor and nurture that relationship throughout your career. Mentors have been extremely valuable for me, and I have turned to them for help with my practice and for personal and professional advice. As a young attorney, it is imperative to have someone like this, because there is so much you have yet to learn. This is especially important for students who will start as solo practitioners. Mentors are essential to help navigate ethical quandaries, but they are equally important to brainstorm a quick idea or share a motion template. The ability to consult with a trusted mentor and friend is crucial in our profession, which can be replete with ethical and practical pitfalls for the inexperienced attorney.