About Connor
Connor Reilly earned both his undergraduate and law degrees in 2013, completing a B.A. at the University of Dayton followed by a J.D. at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He entered the legal profession after finishing law school and built his early career in public defense, where he spent several formative years in county offices.
Reilly began his public-facing legal work in 2017 at the Office of the Clinton County Public Defender. There he worked as a lawyer in a busy county practice. The following year he moved to the Hamilton County Public Defender’s office, continuing to serve clients in trial courts and to handle a range of criminal matters. Those roles placed him regularly in courtrooms and required management of case dockets under tight deadlines.
His time in public defense shaped the practical side of his legal approach. He handled client interviews, prepared defenses for arraignments and trials, and coordinated with investigators and family members. The caseloads common to county defender offices exposed him to both misdemeanor and felony matters, and to the procedural demands of state criminal practice.
In 2021 Reilly joined Ernst & Associates as a lawyer. That move marked a transition from government service to private practice. At Ernst & Associates he continued to apply the courtroom experience he gained as a public defender while adapting to the different expectations of private-sector representation. His work involves litigation tasks and courtroom appearances that draw on his prior trial experience.
Colleagues describe Reilly as someone who favors direct preparation and straightforward advocacy. He approaches client matters methodically and places priority on clear communication. Those habits reflect years spent managing files in public offices where speed and accuracy matter.
Outside of casework he maintains professional ties in Ohio’s legal community. He remains licensed to practice in the state and has built a network through practice and prior county roles. Clients and peers note that his background in both public defense and private practice gives him a practical view of courtroom procedure and case strategy.
Reilly practices at Ernst & Associates. He continues to handle litigation and court work that draw on his public defender experience and his subsequent work in private practice.
