Jennifer L. O'Donnell at a glance
- Current role
- Common Pleas Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Ohio · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jennifer L. O'Donnell
Common Pleas Judge · Cuyahoga Co. Common Pleas Court
Biography
Professional career
- O'Donnell assumed office on December 9, 2022, filling the unexpired term of the late Judge Nancy McDonnell
- Jennifer O'Donnell held the role of an assistant public defender in Cuyahoga County for 14 years
- She aims to bring innovative ideas to the bench while maintaining a strong focus on justice and accessibility for all residents of Cuyahoga County
Education
- Bachelor's degree from Denison University and her law degree from Case Western Reserve School of Law.
Additional information
- representing thousands of indigent clients in criminal and civil custody matters.
- She currently presides in courtroom 17-B of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
- Her extensive defense experience provides her with a strong foundation for her judicial role, emphasizing fairness, legal expertise, and community service
- Judge O'Donnell emphasizes efficient case management, adherence to the Supreme Court of Ohio’s guidelines, and equitable treatment of all litigants, including self-represented parties.
- She took over the seat previously held by Judge Kenneth Callahan, who had been appointed by Governor Mike DeWine.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance tells courts to include instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses when remote-hearing information is sent to participants.
Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.
Documents: Share any documents/exhibits that will be reviewed in advance. Use the share screen function while documents are being discussed during the hearing. Request that the documents are pre-marked for exhibit purposes.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.
The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 27, 2026.
Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster ↗Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗