Sean is originally from Cincinnati. He earned a bachelor's degree from Xavier University and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Sean lives in Cincinnati with his wife, Elissa Mays, and their two children.

Sean currently works as an assistant prosecutor at the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office. He currently works in the appellate division, and he previously worked in the municipal and juvenile divisions. He previously worked in the film industry.

Sean M. Donovan's campaign for Ohio 1st District Court of Appeals is his first run for public office.

Candidate website

Supports policies that ensure "dangerous individuals remain in prison."

Supports working with victims and families to ensure that "dangerous individuals remain in prison."

- Supports working with victims and families to ensure that "dangerous individuals remain in prison."

Judicial Administration

Believes the proper role of an appellate judge is to "evenly apply the law as it is written."

Believes judges should not insert personal policy preferences into decisions and must apply the law evenly and consistently to maintain certainty and predictability in the legal system.

Said, "I am running for the First District Court of Appeals to bring a judicially conservative voice to the bench."

- Believes the proper role of an appellate judge is to "evenly apply the law as it is written."
- Believes judges should not insert personal policy preferences into decisions and must apply the law evenly and consistently to maintain certainty and predictability in the legal system.
- Said, "I am running for the First District Court of Appeals to bring a judicially conservative voice to the bench."

Judicial Philosophy

As an assistant prosecutor in the juvenile division, prosecuted juvenile offenders on criminal charges ranging from traffic violations to the most violent felonies.

As an assistant prosecutor in the municipal division, prosecuted adult misdemeanor charges including simple traffic matters to domestic violence and assault charges.

As an assistant prosecutor in the appellate division, responds to criminal and state appeals filed in the First District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Ohio, litigating over 100 cases before those two courts.

As an assistant prosecutor in the appellate division, reviews and responds to parole applications.

- As an assistant prosecutor in the juvenile division, prosecuted juvenile offenders on criminal charges ranging from traffic violations to the most violent felonies.
- As an assistant prosecutor in the municipal division, prosecuted adult misdemeanor charges including simple traffic matters to domestic violence and assault charges.
- As an assistant prosecutor in the appellate division, responds to criminal and state appeals filed in the First District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Ohio, litigating over 100 cases before those two courts.
- As an assistant prosecutor in the appellate division, reviews and responds to parole applications.

Legal Experience

As of August 26, 2024, Sean M. Donovan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 52.

Is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 52.

- Is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 52.

Community Involvement

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Sean M. Donovan

Terry is originally from Mt. Washington and Madeira, Cincinnati. He earned his bachelor's degree from Miami University and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Terry lives in Clifton with his wife, Brigid, and they have two adult children.

Terry previously worked as an assistant City Solicitor for the City of Cincinnati. He also worked in private practice.

Terry Nestor currently serves as a judge for the Ohio Court of Common Pleas. He was elected in 2018 and is serving his first term.

Supports collecting detailed sentencing statistics to ensure fairness and check implicit bias in the justice system.

Believes jurors should be selected from all licensed drivers, not just registered voters, to increase jury pool diversity and legitimacy of verdicts.

Supports replacing the current system of “catch and release” with a system of “catch and cure” by advocating for bail reform and mandatory treatment programs that divert non-violent offenders to community control alternatives.

- Supports collecting detailed sentencing statistics to ensure fairness and check implicit bias in the justice system.
- Believes jurors should be selected from all licensed drivers, not just registered voters, to increase jury pool diversity and legitimacy of verdicts.
- Supports replacing the current system of “catch and release” with a system of “catch and cure” by advocating for bail reform and mandatory treatment programs that divert non-violent offenders to community control alternatives.

Believes justice must be seen as legitimate by both defendants and victims to be effective.

Believes jails should not serve as "treatment facilities" or "debtor's prisons."

- Believes justice must be seen as legitimate by both defendants and victims to be effective.
- Believes jails should not serve as "treatment facilities" or "debtor's prisons."

As an attorney in private practice, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in tort litigation.

As an assistant City Solicitor for the City of Cincinnati, represented the City as Chief Trial Counsel, and was eventually appointed the Acting City Solicitor in 2014.

As an assistant City Solicitor, represented Cincinnati as Chief Trial Counsel before the Ohio Supreme Court, the 1st District Court of Appeals, and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and served as an advisor for several city agencies.

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 an attorney in private practice, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in tort litigation.
- As an assistant City Solicitor, represented Cincinnati as Chief Trial Counsel before the Ohio Supreme Court, the 1st District Court of Appeals, and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and served as an advisor for several city agencies.
- 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 of August 26, 2024, Terry Nestor’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Terry Nestor

- Each Ohio district has 4 to 12 Court of Appeals judges, depending on case volume.
- Any three judges from a district form a court to review appeals from lower courts, checking for legal errors. The 10th district (Franklin County) also reviews cases from the Ohio Court of Claims, which handles civil suits against the state.
- This court is the only appellate court before the Ohio Supreme Court and can issue orders like writs of habeas corpus, which forces a jail to justify holding someone, or writs of mandamus, which directs a government official to perform a mandatory duty.
- Judges serve a 6-year term, are elected in partisan elections, and earn a salary of $178,100.
- To qualify, judges must have been practicing law in Ohio for at least one year and have six years of experience as a lawyer or judge in any U.S. court. 

Ohio Court of Appeals Judge, Division 1

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Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement