Patricia Connally

Patricia Connally is an attorney who spent many years working at Crowell & Moring LLP litigating and mediating commercial disputes. She also worked at the Department of Justice and clerked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. While at Crowell & Moring, she started a pro bono project assisting low-income Virginia families with special education and discipline matters. After leaving the firm, she volunteered with Legal Services of Northern Virginia, continuing to combine her knowledge of special education with her legal skills to assist low-income special education students and their families, earning the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award in 2016. She then served as a board member of Legal Services of Northern Virginia, including as President of the Board in 2020. Patricia also served on the Board of Trustees of Arlington Community Foundation for many years and continues to serve on its Community Impact and Scholarship Committees. Other service includes as a member and First Vice President of the Board of Trustees for The Arc of Northern Virginia, where she initiated and continues staff a monthly legal clinic for families facing special education and disability challenges. She graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law and received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University. Patricia has extensive experience with nonprofits, strong community ties, and deep involvement with vulnerable communities. She has been a supporter of PathForward for many years and has enjoyed serving as co-chair of the No Place Like Home Committee fundraising event for the past two years and is pleased to serve on the board and help advance its important mission.