Terrence O'Donnell, Justice
May 19, 2003 - present
Justice Terrence O’Donnell joined the Supreme Court of Ohio in 2003, and began to lead statewide efforts to increase professionalism among lawyers and judges all across Ohio. His leadership culminated in the implementation of a Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program that is recognized nationally as one of the finest in the entire United States. He regularly speaks on topics of ethics, professionalism, and appellate advocacy and continues to support, expand, and strengthen mentoring in Ohio.
Justice O’Donnell began his judicial career in 1980 on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court—the busiest trial court in the state—and served there for 14 years until his election to the 8th District Court of Appeals in 1994. He enjoyed eight years until he joined the Supreme Court in 2003. He also served as a visiting trial court judge in various counties throughout the state.
He began his legal career at the Supreme Court of Ohio as a law clerk to Justice J.J.P. Corrigan in 1971, and then clerked for Judges John V. Corrigan and John M. Manos on the 8th District Court of Appeals. Before beginning judicial service, he practiced law with the firm of Marshman, Snyder & Corrigan in Cleveland.
Throughout his legal career, Justice O’Donnell contributed to his profession by serving as the perennial Chairman of the Cleveland Bar Association Student Essay Contest and recognizing winning authors on Law Day. A former schoolteacher, Justice O’Donnell is a founding member and past president of the Legal Eagles — a law fraternity for alumni of St. Edward High School in Lakewood — and a frequent lecturer at its year-end seminar. He also is a member of the Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellows Class of 2005, and a past member of the Board of Trustees of Magnificat High School. The Justice presently serves on the Board of the Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Cleveland.
Justice O’Donnell also served as Chairman of the Ohio Legal Rights Service Commission, which oversees the protection and advocacy of the developmentally disabled and mentally ill statewide. He is a past member of the board of trustees of Our Lady of the Wayside, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the mentally and physically challenged. His brother, John, is a group-home resident at Fairview House, which is owned and serviced by Our Lady of the Wayside.
Justice O’Donnell has been honored by every school and university he attended. St. Edward High School presented him with its Alumnus of the Year Award in 2005, Kent State University recognized him as an outstanding graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences, and Cleveland State University awarded him its Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition, the University of Akron School of Law conferred an honorary doctor of law degree when he presented the Commencement Address in 2005.
Justice O'Donnell currently resides in Rocky River with his wife, Mary Beth. The couple has four adult children — Terrence, Michael, Colleen, and Nora, and four grandchildren.
Last day of current term: Dec. 31, 2012.
