Pamela Connelly, J.D.

Pamela W. Connelly serves as Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel at Duquesne University. A seasoned attorney who has practiced in the field of higher education law for over 20 years, Connelly serves as the institution's chief legal counsel and manages the division of legal affairs. She leads the University's Office of Legal Affairs, and is responsible for the Offices of Risk Management, Human Resources, Anti-Discrimination, Title IX, and Environmental Health and Safety.

Connelly has co-chaired the Duquesne University COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols Task Force and its Taskforce on Student Centeredness Fairness Accountability and Flexibility in the Workforce. She has also led efforts to strengthen policies surrounding university governance, academic freedom, and the provision of legal services.

Prior to joining Duquesne, Connelly practiced in higher education both as inside and outside counsel to many different types of educational institutions. For a number of years, Connelly served as an executive administrator and in-house counsel at the University of Pittsburgh. In her last role there, she served as the first vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion and led the creation of that office. For several years, Connelly taught the Law of Higher Education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.  

Connelly serves on the governing boards of the Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, and Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, where she serves on the executive committee and as chair of the governance committee. She is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.  

Connelly holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the Pennsylvania State University and earned her juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh.