Fenlon, Helene S.

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 presenter on family and juvenile law appellate cases for the Juvenile Law Section of the Houston Bar Association and State Bar of Texas. 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)

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

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

Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (1997-2005)

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

National Association of Addiction Professionals (1997-2005)

Old Braeswood Property Owners Association

League of Women Voters (1995-Present)

C.G. Jung Center (1999-Present)

Elder, St. Phillip Presbyterian ChurchAdvisory Board Child Advocates, Inc. (CASA) (1996-2008)