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

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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 June 4, 2025, 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

- 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.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge

Election results

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