Dan Connolly is a graduate of George Washington Law School. During his time at law school, Connolly concentrated his studies in labor law and employment discrimination law with a major focus on improving the lives of hard-working Americans. After his first year of law school, Connolly worked as a law clerk for the Judiciary Committee in the United States Senate. While with the Senate Judiciary Committee Connolly worked extensively on a major piece of legislation, researched Circuit Court of Appeals nominations and helped organize a Committee hearing on the negative side effects of a specific narcotic. Connolly’s other experiences with the United States Senate include working as a caseworker and as an Interim Constituent Services Coordinator.

After his graduation from GW Law School, Dan Connolly worked at Hall & Associates, a consulting firm in Washington, DC. Hall & Associates specializes in transportation safety and health care policy. In his capacity with the firm, Dan Connolly assisted with the creation of a corporate infrastructure designed to promote responsible corporate citizenship in the areas of community relations and environmental impact, with particular attention to community service initiatives and air and water quality control mechanisms.

Prior to attending GW Law School, Dan Connolly graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh Honors College with a degree in History and Political Science, a minor in Chemistry and a certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. While at Pitt, Connolly’s involvement with the community was extensive. During the summer of 2004, Dan Connolly served as a medical research fellow at the University of Pittsburgh’s Biotech Center, where he worked to understand the structure and function of the SARS Coronavirus. In addition Connolly served as an Ambassador for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Presbyterian Hospital – a position that promoted patient health and the goodwill of the hospital by interacting with patients on a social level.

Yet Dan's commitment to becoming the next representative for the 18th Congressional District comes from personal experience.  Dan’s father was one of 132 who lost their lives in the crash of USAir Flight 427 in Hopewell Township in 1994.  In the wake of her devastating loss, Dan’s mother joined with other families who lost loved ones in that accident to start the first support group for families of plane crash victims. This group partnered with the Clinton administration and brought about the implementation of a set of reforms on how airlines treat crash victims' families.  Dan saw firsthand the positive impact that good government can have on our lives. Our government is only as good as the people that are serving in Washington, and Dan Connolly will be the positive force that Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District needs and deserves. 

Dan Connolly is a lifelong resident of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He was born in Castle Shannon, and graduated with highest honors from Upper Saint Clair High School.