Paul R. Connolly

Paul R. Connolly was appointed as the Department of Justice’s General Counsel for the Justice Management Division (JMD) in April 2026 and is a member of the Senior Executive Service.  Mr. Connolly oversees operations at the JMD Office of the General Counsel (OGC), to include supervising the Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties and the Labor and Employment Law unit. 

JMD’s OGC provides legal advice to JMD and Department of Justice leadership on topics to include fiscal, procurement, labor, employment, compliance, and privacy and civil liberties. OGC attorneys also litigate disputes before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Government Accountability Office, and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. 

Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Mr. Connolly was an attorney with the United States Air Force where he served as a senior prosecutor and led legal offices supporting military operations around the world for over 25 years.  Mr. Connolly has a diverse legal background in international law, contracts, ethics, litigation, and criminal law.  Throughout his career, Mr. Connolly has earned many personal awards and led legal offices to distinction, to include earning the Bronze Star and numerous legal office of the year awards.   

Mr. Connolly studied history at the University of Central Florida and law at American University’s Washington College of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude from both institutions. Mr. Connolly attended the Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, earning a Masters of Law degree and recognition as an Honor Graduate.