Helenanne Connolly
About Helenanne
Helen is a seasoned practitioner serving as a trusted advisor on her clients’ most sensitive, complex and high-stakes matters daily, with a special emphasis on helping emerging companies build and develop their workforces and assisting public company boards in managing executive crises. She has an extensive counseling and disputes practice, representing companies at every stage of growth on a broad range of employment-related issues, including counseling, litigation and transactional matters. Every year, Helen assists hundreds of companies across numerous industries – such as government contracts, private equity, venture capital, fintech, edtech, adtech, insurtech, blockchain and tokenization technology, life sciences, sports, media and entertainment, consumer goods, and health and beauty – in navigating complex employment matters.
Passions
Hanging out with her four kids, Irish husband and very active and goofy rescue pup
Watching rugby, paddleboarding, golfing and playing pickleball
Ice-cold beach beers
Great music from every era
Experience
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Cooley Advises PrizePicks on Sale to Allwyn for up to $4.15 Billion
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Heliogen Announces Sale to Zeo Energy
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Tenable to Acquire Apex Security
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Sitemetric Announces Strategic Investment From Gemspring Capital Management
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CinCor Pharma to Sell to AstraZeneca for Approximately $1.8 Billion
Admissions and credentials
- Virginia
- Maryland
Rankings and accolades
Chambers USA: Labor & Employment – Virginia (2024 – 2025)
The Legal 500 US: Workplace and Employment Counseling (2025)
Virginia Super Lawyers: Rising Star (2013 – 2015)
Memberships and affiliations
- Cooley Special Counsel Oversight Committee, co-chair and founding member (2021 – 2025)
- Arlington County Board Human Rights Commission, chair
- Washington Ireland Program, host
- The Women’s Center, general counsel (2015 – 2016)
- Child and Family Network Centers, board member (2013 – 2016)
Helenanne was instrumental in helping us come to the best resolution possible. Her knowledge and expertise helped us negotiate a deal that satisfied all the various stakeholders and for that we are incredibly grateful.
Helenanne was an outstanding, trusted partner when our company needed her services. She expertly guided us through several complex issues.
Helenanne is one of the best and most effective labor and employment attorneys I’ve worked with. She brings great commercial knowledge, helpful advice and a real concern for our business.
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