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William B. Connolly

William B. Connolly

Managing Partner
Location:
Houston, Texas
Phone:
(281) 506-0086
(866) 409-3095 (Toll Free)
E-mail:
E-mail Me

William B. (Bill) Connolly received his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in 1974 from the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. He received his law degree (J.D.) in 1979 from South Texas College of Law where he was Assistant Editor of the Law review and a member of the Order of the Lytae.

In 1983, he started his own litigation and civil appellate law practice under the name of William B. Connolly & Associates where he maintained a significant concentration in the areas of Family, Juvenile and Civil Appellate. On July 1, 2008, he established a partnership with a long-time associate, William Leslie Shireman, changing the firm name to Connolly & Shireman, L.L.P. Mr. Connolly's litigation and appellate experience have included matters of all sizes and complexities relative to property, conservatorship, termination of parental rights and related family law issues. Mr. Connolly is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Family Law and Juvenile Law. He is the only attorney in Harris County, Texas and one of two attorneys in the State of Texas who is Board Certified in all of the Family Code areas of specialization by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has extensive experience in handling difficult family issues such as substance abuse addictions, mental health issues, domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect and juvenile delinquency. Although comfortable in the litigation arena, Mr. Connolly also knows that the emotional and psychological cost on the families is frequently too high in family law cases. Accordingly, several years ago his practice was expanded to include mediation and alternative dispute resolution services, such as collaborative family law.

Since 1979, Mr. Connolly has been active in the Bar Associations and has authored many articles and presented lectures and workshops on a variety of legal and community related issues. Since the early 90's, he has been a featured monthly presenter on family and juvenile law appellate cases for the Juvenile Law Section of the Houston Bar Association. He is active politically and is involved in several community organizations, including prior service with the Mental Health Association of Houston and on the Advisory Boards of Child Advocates, Inc. (CASA) and The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Houston.

Mr. Connolly is an ordained elder at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas and has served as an Adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law and an instructor at the C.G. Jung Center on Family and relationship issues.

Community Involvement

  • Advisory Board Child Advocates, Inc. (CASA) (1996-2008)

  • Advisory Board - The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse - Houston (1996-2007)

  • Alternative Group, Co-Chair - Harris County Juvenile Detention Center (1988-1994)

  • Mental Health Association/Houston, Harris County (1985 - Present) - Public Affairs, Insurance, Legislative - Committees (1985-1988)

  • Regional Alcohol Drug Abuse Advisory Committee; Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) (1984-1987)

  • Spectrum: Regional Institute on Alcohol and Drug Studies, Faculty Committee and Chair of Public Relations (1985-1989)

  • Texas Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors - Houston chapter (TAADAC) (1985-2005)

  • Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (1997-2005)

  • National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (1988-2005)

  • National Association of Addiction Professionals (1997-2005)

  • Board of Directors - Texas Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors - Houston Chapter (TAADAC) (1985-1987)

  • Founder, Director and Incorporator of Houston Academy of Motion Pictures (HAMP) (1986-1989)

  • Founder, Director and Incorporator of Houston Association for Film and Television (HAFT) (1989)

  • Woodland Heights Civic Association (1988-1995)

  • Braeswood Place Homeowners Association (1995-1999)

  • Afton Village Homeowners Association (2000-Present)

  • League of Women Voters (1995-Present)

  • C.G. Jung Center (1999-Present)

  • Elder, St. Phillip Presbyterian Church

    • Areas of Practice

    • Family Law
    • Juvenile Law
    • Civil Appellate Law

    Certified Legal Specialties

    • Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
    • Juvenile Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

    Bar Admissions

    • Texas, 1979
    • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
    • U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Texas
    • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

    Education

    • South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas
      • J.D. - 1979
      • Honors: Order of the Lytae
      • Honors: Deans List
      • Law Review: Case Notes, Assistant Editor
    • University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
      • B.A.
      • Honors: Dean's List
      • Major: History

    Classes/Seminars

    • Continuing Legal Education Speaker/Author, 1981 - Present
    • "The Children at Risk" Conference, May 2, 2008
    • STCR, 2008 - 2009
    • "Trends in DFPS Termination Cases (A Call for Reform)", 21st Annual Juvenile Law Conference, February 18, 2008
    • "On the one hand... Confidentiality, Medical and Mental Health Issues in Juvenile Cases", 20th Annual Juvenile Law Conference, February 23, 2007
    • "Handling Drug and Alcohol Issues in a Family Law Case", 2007 Family Law Conference, February 9, 2007
    • "Without a Trace: Confidentiality, Privilege and the Legal Process", The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse - Houston, January 19, 2007
    • "Mixed Metaphors: Hidden Meanings and New Ideas for a Changing World", 2006 Parenting Plan Conference - Dallas, Texas and Houston Texas, 2006
    • "Same Difference" - Determinate Sentencing, Nuts and Bolts of Juvenile Law Seminar - Austin, Texas, August 4, 2006
    • "Trouble in Mind: Representation of Juveniles with Mental Illness and Mental Retardation", Nuts and Bolts of Juvenile Law Seminar - Austin and Galveston county Juvenile Justice Center - Texas City, TX, 2006
    • "No Reversible Error - Preserving Error and Perfecting Appeals in DFPS Termination and Conservatorship Cases", Galveston County Bar Association, June 23, 2006
    • "The Politics of Privilege: Boundary Concerns Beyond Immigration", The Council on Alcohol and Drugs - Houston, 2006
    • Overcoming the Blame Game - Ethical issues, Parenting Plans and Parenting Coordinators, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Texas Chapter - State Conference, October 1, 2005
    • 2005 Legislative Update - SAPCR Legislative Affecting Juvenile Practice, Houston Bar Association - Juvenile Law Section Meeting - Houston, 2005
    • "Same Difference" - Determinate Sentencing, Nuts and Bolts of Juvenile Law - Austin, Texas, 2005 - 2008
    • "Life in the Crossroads: Client Confidentiality, Protected Health Information and Best Interest", Texas Chapter, Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, 2004
    • "See no _, Hear no_, and Speak no_: Mental Health Professionals and the Changing Evidence Rules (Best Interest Protected Health Information and HIPAA)", The Council on Alcohol and Drugs - Houston, 2004
    • Moderator, Annual Juvenile Law Conference State Bar of Texas, 2004
    • Ethical Considerations in Juvenile Practice, Annual Juvenile Law Conference State Bar of Texas, 2004
    • Mental Health Professionals and the Changing Evidence Rules: Best Interest, Protected Health Information and HIPAA, Houston Bar Association Family Law Section Meeting, 2003
    • "Juvenile Appeals", Montgomery County Bar Association, The woodlands Resort and Conference Center, 2003
    • "A Chessboard of Pawns: Protected Health Information and the Desire for Information in Family Law Litigation", Clinical and Psych Staff Training for Harris County Children's Assessment Center, 2003
    • "Can You See Me Now: The New HIPAA Privacy Regulations", Council on Alcohol and Drug - Houston, 2003
    • "Over the Rainbow: Ethical Issues in Clinical Practice", Association of Addiction Professionals, Houston, 2002
    • "Concurrent Criminal and Family Court Proceedings section 161.2011 Texas Family Code", Continuing Legal Education, 2002
    • "Juvenile Appeals: Beyond the Basics", 15th Annual Juvenile Law Conference, State Bar of Texas, 2002
    • "Therapeutic Crossfire: Mental Health Professionals as Witnesses in Court Proceedings", Houston Association of Licensed Professional Counselors Houston, 2001
    • "Navigating The Bermuda Triangle: Expert Testimony, Client Confidentiality and Best Interests of the Child", Texas Juvenile Law, 2001
    • "Into the Breach: When Confidentiality Gives Way to Full Disclosure", University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work, 2001
    • "The X-Files Prepared and Intelligent Surrender to the Uncertainties of Litigation", Council on Alcohol and Drug - Houston, 2001
    • "A Leap of Faith: Addiction Professionals, Social Workers and Mental Health Professionals as Witnesses", Houston council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, 2001

    Honors and Awards

    • Who's Who in American Law Schools, 1979
    • American Jurisprudence Award, 1979

    Professional Associations and Memberships

    • State Bar of Texas, Juvenile Law Council, 2004 - Present
    • State Bar of Texas, Juvenile Law Section, Chair, 2009
    • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), Board of Directors - Texas, 2004 - 2005
    • Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists (TAFLS)
    • Texas Family Law Foundation, 2008 - Present
    • Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, Board of Directors, 2007
    • AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
    • Collaborative Family Law Institute, 2003 - Present
    • Collaborative Family Lawyers Houston, 2001 - Present
    • H.B.A. Juvenile Law Section - Featured Monthly CLE Speaker, 1991 - Present
    • H.B.A. Juvenile Law Section, Legislative Liaison 1993, 1995
    • H.B.A. Juvenile Law Section, Secretary, 1992 - 1993
    • H.B.A. Juvenile Law Section, Program Chair, 1993 - 1994
    • H.B.A. Juvenile Law Section, Chair Elect, 1994 - 1995
    • H.B.A. Juvenile Law Section, Chair, 1995 - 1996
    • H.B.A. Juvenile Law Section, Immediate Past Chair, 1996 - 1997
    • Texas Commission on Children and Youth, Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, 1994
    • State Bar of Texas, Family; Juvenile and Appellate
    • College of the State Bar of Texas, Member
    • Houston Bar Foundation, Member
    • Houston Bar Association, Member: Juvenile, Family, Collaborative, Appellate sections

    Past Employment Positions

    • C.G. Jung Center - Family and Relationship Issues, Faculty, 2001
    • Houston Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Consultant on Legislative/Rule Changes on Confidentiality and Privilege, 1994 - 1996
    • South Texas College of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law, 1998 - 2001
    • Texas Paralegal School, Faculty, 1983 - 1985

    Fraternities/Sororities

    • Delta Theta Phi

    Based in Houston, Texas, we serve clients in the Inner Loop and throughout Greater Houston, including Houston Heights, Sugar Land, Bellaire, West University, Galleria, Pearland, Alvin, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg, Pasadena, Conroe, Spring, Tomball, The Woodlands, Clear Lake, Kingwood, Humble, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, Galveston County and Montgomery County.

    * All images on this website are the copyrighted photography of William B. Connolly. Unauthorized acquisition or use of these images in any form is strictly prohibited without the express permission of William B. Connolly.

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    2930 Revere Street | Suite 300 | Houston, TX 77098 | P: 281.506.0086 | T: 866.409.3095 | F: 713.520.6644 | E-Mail Us | Directions

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