Edward M. Connelly

The Honorable
Edward M. Connelly
Justice of the Washington Supreme Court
In office
1946 (1946)–1947 (1947)
Preceded byBruce Blake
Succeeded byMatthew W. Hill
Personal details
Born(1892-09-08)September 8, 1892
Bellingham, Washington, U.S.
DiedAugust 31, 1947(1947-08-31) (aged 54)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
SpouseGrace E. Connelly
Residence(s)Spokane, Washington
Alma materGonzaga University (BA, LLB)
OccupationLawyer, judge

Edward Michael Connelly (September 8, 1892 – August 31, 1947) was a federal prosecutor and justice of the Washington Supreme Court from 1946 to 1947. He was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Monrad Wallgren, and served less than one year. In 1946, he was defeated in the election, losing to King County Superior Court judge Matthew W. Hill.[1][2] After leaving the court, Connelly returned to private practice in Spokane, Washington.

Connelly was born in Bellingham, Washington, to Patrick E. Connelly and Elizabeth Murphy, and attended grade school there.[3] When his family moved to Spokane, he enrolled in Gonzaga University, graduating in 1912.[3] He was in the first graduating class at Gonzaga Law School, receiving a LL.B. degree in 1915.[4] In 1921, he taught property law at Gonzaga University Law School.[5] From 1922 to 1926, he worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney, Charles H. Leavy. In private practice, he was renowned as a trial lawyer.[6] Connelly served as United States District Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington from 1942 to 1946.[7]

  1. ^ Hunter, Robert T. (Winter 1989). "The Practice of Judging With the Superior and Supreme Courts of Washington 1946-1976". Second Series Volume II, Number 1. The Pacific Northwest Forum. pp. 2–23.
  2. ^ "Election Results". The Daily Chronicle (Centralia, WA). November 6, 1946. p. 3. Retrieved May 17, 2017. In the only supreme court seat on which there was a contest, Matthew W. Hill, former King County superior judge, was way ahead of Edward M. Connelly of Spokane. He led Connelly by more than 40,000 votes, with 1,637 precincts reported.
  3. ^ a b "Obituary for Edward M. Connelly". Walla Walla Union Bulletin. Newspapers.com. September 1, 1947. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  4. ^ Jantsch, Mary. "A Look Back at 1914-15 to See Forward to Gonzaga's 125th Anniversary This Year". Gonzaga News. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  5. ^ American Law School Review, Volume 5. Eagen, Minn: West Publishing Company. 1922. p. 385.
  6. ^ Kizer, Benjamin H. "History of the Spokane County Bar". Spokane Legal History Blog. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  7. ^ "Death of Edward M. Connelly". Arizona Republic. Newspapers.com. September 1, 1947. Retrieved May 17, 2017.