Cornelius O'Leary

Former Connecticut Senate Majority Leader

Adjunct Faculty

Cornelius “Con” O’Leary began his teaching career at local schools, primarily as a teacher of high school history. He became involved in politics at an early age and went on to become a state representative in the Connecticut legislature in 1972. He joined the Connecticut Senate in 1977 and retired in 1993. O’Leary served as both the minority and majority leader of the Senate. In addition, he chaired the education and appropriations committees among others. He worked in the law department at Connecticut Bank and Trust and more recently as an administrator at Central Connecticut State University. He is currently retired and continues to teach at CCSU and UConn Law. O’Leary teaches constitutional law and legislative process and supervises the Legislative Clerkship Clinic. He also served the community by sitting on town and non-profit boards. O’Leary earned his undergraduate degree at Williams College, a masters degree from Trinity College and his JD from UConn Law in 1982.