County Pleas Court General Division, Judge John P. O'Donnell

Butlet County Democrats, Meet the Candidate: John P. O’Donnell Justice Ohio Supreme Court

The Federalist Society, Hon. John P. O'Donnell

Ballotpedia, John P. O'Donnell (Cuyahoga County, Ohio)

John attended St. Joseph High. He earned his bachelor's degree from Miami University of Ohio and his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He is married with 5 children. 

John previously worked as an attorney at Terrence J. Kenneally & Associates, Gallagher Sharp, and Meyers, Hentemann & Rea. He also previously worked as a Cincinnati Staff Counsel.

John P. O'Donnell is a Cuyahoga County common pleas judge. He was elected in 2006 and is serving his third full term. He previously served on the court from 2002 to 2005.

As a trial court judge, was responsible for over 2,000 commercial cases while still handling all other varieties of civil lawsuits and a felony criminal docket.

As a court of common pleas judge, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies; issues marriage licenses; administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption proceedings; and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.

- As a trial court judge, was responsible for over 2,000 commercial cases while still handling all other varieties of civil lawsuits and a felony criminal docket.
- As a court of common pleas judge, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies; issues marriage licenses; administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption proceedings; and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.

Legal Experience

As of August 23, 2024, John P. O'Donnell did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Served on the boards of St. Malachi Center, the Cleveland Law Library Association, the Cuyahoga County Law Library Resource Board, and Lakewood City Academy.

- Served on the boards of St. Malachi Center, the Cleveland Law Library Association, the Cuyahoga County Law Library Resource Board, and Lakewood City Academy.

Community Involvement

John P. O'Donnell

John attended St. Joseph High. He earned his bachelor's degree from Miami University of Ohio and his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He is married and they have 5 children. 

John P. O'Donnell is currently a County Common Pleas Judge in Cuyahoga County in Ohio. He was elected in 2006, 2012, and 2018 and is serving his 3rd full term. He previously served on the court from 2002 to 2005.. 

As a Trial Court Judge, was responsible for over 2,000 commercial cases while still handling all other varieties of civil lawsuits and a felony criminal docket. He is the author of over one hundred judicial opinions.

As a court of common pleas judge, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issues marriage licenses, administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain  proceedings, and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.

- As a Trial Court Judge, was responsible for over 2,000 commercial cases while still handling all other varieties of civil lawsuits and a felony criminal docket. He is the author of over one hundred judicial opinions.
- As a court of common pleas judge, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issues marriage licenses, administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain  proceedings, and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.

- The Court of Common Pleas handles criminal felony cases and civil cases where more than $5,000 is at stake.
- The courts are divided into four divisions: general, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile. Each specializes in different types of cases, such as civil and criminal trials, divorces and child custody matters, inheritances and adoptions, and juvenile offenses.
- Ohio has a court of common pleas in each of its 88 counties.
- Common pleas judges are elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan elections.
- Common pleas judges earn $163,792 annually.