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

Sean is originally from Cincinnati. He has a bachelor's degree from Xavier University and a law degree from the University 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.

Believes in addressing criminal appeals in the First District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

As a state attorney, handled appeals in the First District and the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Believes in addressing a wide range of offenses, from traffic violations to violent felonies.

Believes in addressing juvenile crime through prosecution.

Believes in comprehensive judicial administration, including all charges from traffic violations to domestic violence and assault.

Believes the issues addressed in appeals courts, such as "simple weight of the evidence" and "sufficiency of the evidence," are important to ensure fair judicial administration.

As a judicial officer, Sean is responsible for reviewing and responding to

Works with victims and their families to ensure that "justice is served."

Believes judicial administration encompasses all criminal charges defined in the Ohio Revised Code.

As a prosecutor, handled adult misdemeanor cases in Hamilton County.

Evaluates individuals for parole applications.

Believes in using evidence claims to address complex constitutional challenges and death penalty litigation.

Believes the court has deviated from "these ideals" over the last ten years, damaging the First District’s reputation for "judicial excellence in Ohio."

Worked for five years, as sowing the seeds for his future legal career.

Worked as an Assistant Prosecutor with the Hamilton County Prosecutors after passing the bar exam.

Earned a law degree from the University of

Promises to use his experience in trial and appellate law to "bring balance to the bench and to help restore that reputation."

As an appellate attorney, litigated over 100 cases before the court of appeals.

Volunteered to help with recovery efforts and clearing debris.

Became a member of the International Alliance of Theater and Stage Employees in 1997.

Supports union involvement in community rebuilding efforts.

Sean M. Donovan was born and raised in Cincinnati and currently lives in Kennedy Heights in the house he grew up in. He attended Seven Hills for school from Pre-K through high school, Boston University for two years, Xavier University where he graduated summa cum laude, and the University of Ohio State for law school. Sean is married to Elissa Mays, and they have two children, Seamus and Nora.

Sean M. Donovan is an Assistant Prosecutor with the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, where he has worked in the juvenile, municipal, and appellate divisions. He has litigated more than 100 cases before the First District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Ohio.

As of September 4, 2024, Sean M. Donovan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- 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. 