This collection contains the professional papers of Jeffrey O'Connell, Love Professor of Law at the University of Virginia. O'Connell's primary field of research is insurance law. In 1964-1965, he was associate director of the Study of Proposed Improvements in the Automobile Personal Injury Claims System at Harvard, where, with Judge Robert E. Keeton, he established the principle of no-fault insurance, the "Basic Protection Plan." O'Connell's more recent projects include applying this principle to other areas of tort law, such as athletic injuries.

Professor O'Connell has taught law at the Universities of Iowa (1961-64), Illinois (1966-80), and Virginia (1981- ). His papers include research materials and clippings, his voluminous professional and personal correspondence, publishing and editing material for many of his books, and information on his method for public speaking. In the latter category are numerous letters to and from presidential candidates and their staffs, including Jimmy Carter, Edmund Muskie, Michael Dukakis and Gary Hart.