Title: Learned Counsel
Company: Military Commissions Defense Organization
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, United States
James G. Connell, III, learned counsel at the Military Commissions Defense Organization, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in criminal law and defense, national security, and human rights.
With 28 years of experience to his credit, Mr. Connell has excelled as learned counsel of the Military Commissions Defense Organization since 2011. He began his career as a research and writing specialist at the office of the Federal Public Defender for Nevada from 1996 to 1997. He worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Rosemarie Annunziata with the Court of Appeals of Virginia from 1997 to 1998. He established himself as an assistant public defender at the Fairfax Public Defender’s Office from 1998 to 2000 before finding success as a partner at Connell, Sheldon & Flood, PLC from 2000 to 2011.
Before embarking on his professional path, Mr. Connell pursued an education at Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in communications, minoring in criminology in 1993. He continued his academic efforts at William & Mary Law School, obtaining a Juris Doctorate in 1996. At the Berklee College of Music, he received a graduate certificate in music business law and policy in 2022 and is pursuing a master’s degree in music business. He has been licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of the United States, the Virginia State Bar, the Maryland State Bar Association, Inc., the New York State Bar Association, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the United States District Court for Western District of Virginia, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Maryland, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Beyond his responsibilities within the field, Mr. Connell has participated in numerous endeavors outside of his professional circles. He donated pro bono legal services to the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and various cases, including representing uncharged detainees at Guantanamo before the periodic review board. He was a member of the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition Moot Court Team. He contributed as a speaker at the United States Navy Legal Service Command, the Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University, Istanbul Zaim University, and many other national and international locations. He found success as an author and contributor to several published works, which appeared in 27 Torture 62 and Judicature, and held the role of editor-in-chief at William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law.
In addition to his primary vocation, Mr. Connell remains affiliated with various organizations in relation to his areas of expertise. He was a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Maryland State Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, several federal bars, and the Order of Barristers at William & Mary. In light of his impressive undertakings, he has accrued several accolades throughout his career. He received first place as an individual at the national tournament of the Cross Examination Debate Association and the ABA Moot Court Southeast Regional Tournament, and his team placed first at the ABA Moot Court Southeast Regional Tournament.
Contact Mr. Connell:
