Patrick T. O'Connor, managing partner of Oliver Maner LLP in Savannah, was installed as the 54th president of the 48,000-member State Bar of Georgia on June 18 during the organization's Annual Meeting. Justice Harold D. Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia administered the oath of office.

O'Connor, who served as president-elect and treasurer of the State Bar during the past year, previously served as a member on its Board of Governors and Executive Committee and as secretary (2014-15). 

He is a past president of the Savannah Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Section and has served as chairman of the U.S. District Court Southern District of Georgia Advisory Committee and as a member of the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission and the State Bar's Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and currently serves as state chair for Georgia.

O'Connor serves on the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Southern University Foundation and as chair of the Savannah Country Day School Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Auburn University Dean's Advisory Council for the School of Liberal Arts and the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee. He is a past president of the Savannah Civitan Club, a past captain of the Savannah Quarterback Club and past chairman of the deacons for Ardsley Park Baptist Church. He has served as president of the Coastal Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America and received the Boy Scouts' Silver Beaver Award.

His law practice concentrates on business litigation, the defense of civil rights claims and the defense of legal malpractice and other professional negligence claims. He also represents plaintiffs in select personal injury and wrongful death cases. He is also a mediator and arbitrator and previously served as a judge pro tempore for the Savannah-Chatham County Recorder's Court.

Born and raised in South Georgia, O'Connor is a graduate of Statesboro High School, Auburn University and the University of Georgia School of Law.

Upon taking office, O'Connor said he plans for the State Bar to focus its efforts in the coming year on implementing a strategic plan approved by the Board of Governors in January and strengthening the Bar's relationship with the leaders of the Georgia General Assembly. 

O'Connor and his wife Carol have three sons and three grandchildren.