---
title: "Mary E. Donovan | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-e-donovan-8080"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Mary E. Donovan

Ohio Court of Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
- State: Ohio
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Ohio Court of Appeals, 2005-present
- She also served in the City Law Department, City of Cincinnati Prosecutor’s Office (1989–1990) and practiced privately with Allbery, Cross, Fogarty and Tuss (1993–1995)
- Began her legal career in public defense, working at the Lake County Public Defender’s Office (1978–1979) and the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office (1979–1988, 1990–1993)
- Judge Donovan enjoys music, swimming, reading, and is an avid fan of Notre Dame football as well as Xavier University and University of Dayton basketball

### Education

- University of Dayton School of Law in — J.D. (1977)
- University of Cincinnati in — B.A. (1973)

### Additional information

- She was re-elected unopposed in 2010 and 2016 and chose not to run for re-election in 2023, concluding her appellate service on February 8, 2023.
- Served ten years on the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, before being elected to the Ohio Second District Court of Appeals in November 2004, officially assuming office on February 9, 2005.
- During her tenure, she contributed to the Ohio Jury Instructions Editorial Board and participated in various judicial associations
- She held the role of President of the Dayton Bar Association and the Dayton Volunteer Lawyer’s Project, and participated on committees such as the Public Service and Member Service Committee and the Eikenbary Trust Committee.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing exhibits

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing ground rules

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.

Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote recording

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.

Evidence excerpt: The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8080/mary-e-donovan/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8080/mary-e-donovan/)
- [Ohio Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8080/mary-e-donovan/)
- [Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8080/mary-e-donovan/)
- [Mary Donovan - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Donovan)

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