He was registered to practise as a barrister and solicitor in South Australia in 1982 and worked with Justice John Gallop.
[1] Connolly became a Labor Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly in 1990 on the resignation of Paul Whalan and served as Attorney-General from 1991 to 1995.
[5] He resigned from the Assembly in February 1996[6] and was appointed Master of the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court.
[3] Connolly died of a heart attack while cycling atop Red Hill in Canberra;[7] and his family carried out his wishes to donate his organs for the benefit of others.
[8] He is survived by his wife, Dr Helen Watchirs, the ACT Human Rights Commissioner and their two daughters; Lara and Maddy.