- (912) 231.6734
- (912) 233.2281
- toconnell[at]ellispainter.com
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Ms. O’Connell is a partner of the firm practicing in the area of civil litigation, primarily insurance defense. She graduated from Boston College and cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law. Ms. O’Connell is an experienced trial attorney serving as lead counsel in jury and bench trials in both the state and federal courts as well as handling appeals including arguments in the Georgia Supreme Court and Georgia Court of Appeals. Her practice includes cases involving premises liability (slip/trip and falls, negligent security) at retail/commercial establishments, construction defect claims, automobile/tractor-trailer accidents, professional negligence, employment practices liability and homeowners’ association claims.
Education
- University of Georgia School of Law (J.D. 1993, cum laude)
- Awarded Tuition Equalization Scholarship
- Served as Honor Court Justice all three years (Chief Justice – 3L)
- Boston College, Bachelor of Science, Business/Economics, May 1990
Professional and Bar Activities, Awards
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) – Member since 2013; President, Southeast Georgia Chapter, 2019 – 2020
- Georgia Defense Lawyers Association – (Board Members since 2018, Executive Committee/Vice President 2021)
- State Bar of Georgia – previous District Representative to Young Lawyers Division Executive Council
- Savannah Bar Association – Chair, CLE Seminar Committee; previous Member of Younger Lawyer Executive Board and Volunteer Student Coach for High School Mock Trial Competition
- Georgia Association of Woman Lawyers – Past President, Savannah Chapter; Recipient of Georgia; Woman of Achievement Award, 2000
- National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) – Board of Directors, 2011-2014
- Super Lawyers, 2018 – Present
- Defense Research Institute – Member
Presentations and Seminars
- Co-Chair of GDLA Seminar on Effective Techniques and Common Issues in Life Care Planning and Vocational Wage Loss Analysis
- Panelist at GDLA Annual Meeting – Pathway to Partnership: Perspectives from Women Litigators Who Have Climbed (or Helped Those Climb) the Mountain
- Webinar on Jurisdiction – State Bar of Georgia
- Presenter of Case Law Update at Nuts and Bolts Family Law Section CLE Seminar – State Bar of Georgia
- Presenter on Liens and Collections – NAWIC
Community Activities
- Senior Citizens, Inc. – Board of Directors (Board Member 2013-2015 and 2020-Present)
- St. Mary’s Home – Board of Directors
- Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia –Board of Directors and Executive Committee
- Leadership Savannah Graduate
- United Way Cabinet Member – Co-Chair, Attorney’s Division 2002 and 2003 Fundraising Campaigns
- Junior League of Savannah – President, 2005-2006
- Chatham Savannah – Citizen’s Advocacy – Mentor and Advocate for Disabled Citizen
Additional Related Experience
- Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, Georgia
- Instructor: Teach continuing legal education courses to legal assistants including Tort Law, Civil Litigation, Advanced Civil Litigation and Practical Litigation Techniques