Nora Dannehy, counsel for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut. Nora Dannehy, counsel for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut. Photo: Gary Lewis

Former U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Nora Dannehy has rejoined the office and will serve as counsel to John Durham, the current U.S. attorney.

Dannehy served in the U.S. Attorney's Office from 1991 to 2010 and held several roles, including assistant U.S. attorney, acting U.S. attorney and, from 2008-10, U.S. attorney. She was the office's first female U.S. attorney. She began in her new role as counsel Monday morning.

In a statement, Durham said Dannehy, a Glastonbury resident, has “superior legal skills and an unmatched reputation for integrity.”

Durham continued: “During her long tenure in the Justice Department, she led some of the most sensitive investigations ever undertaken by our office. I am thrilled that Nora has chosen to return to public service and look forward to working with her and relying on her counsel and decades of legal experience to further the cause of justice for the people of Connecticut and our nation.”

As an assistant U.S. attorney, Dannehy specialized in the prosecution of complex white-collar and public corruption cases. She also served as professional responsibility officer for the district. In September 2008, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed Dannehy to supervise a national investigation concerning the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys two years earlier.

Former U.S. attorneys said Durham made an excellent choice.

Stan Twardy Jr., who served as U.S. attorney for Connecticut from 1985-91, said Monday that Dannehy understands the importance of being an evenhanded and fair prosecutor.

“She is sensitive to the rights of individuals,” said Twardy, a partner in the Hartford offices of Day Pitney. “She understands the importance of the office and the impact that actions of a prosecutor can have on individuals. Her judgment and integrity stand out. It's a great choice. Mr. Durham has done a wonderful job in getting Nora as counsel. The senior staff he has put together is second to none.”

Deirdre Daly, U.S. attorney for Connecticut from 2013-17 and current partner at Finn Dixon & Herling, also welcomed the move.

“Nora has tremendous experience as a prosecutor,” Daly said. “She is a talented and gifted investigator and someone who is well-respected by many in the legal and law enforcement communities.”

Dannehy left the U.S. Attorney's Office in December 2010 when she was appointed deputy attorney general for Connecticut. She began working as associate general counsel for global ethics and compliance for United Technologies Corp. in October 2013.

Before her service with the U.S. Department of Justice, Dannehy was an associate with Day, Berry & Howard from 1988 to 1991. From 1986 to 1988, she served as a law clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge T. Emmet Clarie. Dannehy, who declined to be interviewed for this article, obtained her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1986.