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Ballotpedia, Michael P. Donnelly (Ohio)

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Michael holds a bachelor's degree in history from John Carroll University and a law degree from Cleveland State University College of Law. He lives in Cleveland Heights with his wife, Nancy, and their 2 children. 

Michael previously worked as an assistant prosecutor for Cuyahoga County. He also worked as an attorney at the Climaco, Lefkowitz, Peca, Wilcox & Garofoli law firm. 

Michael P. Donnelly currently serves as an Ohio State Supreme Court Justice. He was elected to this position in 2018 and is serving his 1st term. He previously served as a Common Pleas Court Judge in Cuyahoga County. He was elected to this position in 2004 and served for 2 full terms. 

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WFMJ, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly discusses upcoming election

OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL, Ohio Supreme Court rejects six-week ban appeal

Supports banning "factually baseless plea bargains."

Supports eliminating "factually baseless plea bargains.", which  Donnelly stated is pleading to a crime one did not commit in an effort to resolve a court case. 

Believes in reforming plea bargaining to prevent "sentencing by ambush."

Supports using data to promote equity in sentencing and increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the justice system.

Wants to establish a state criminal database as a means of promoting equitable sentences and enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the justice system. 

As a judge, rolled back over $200 million in surcharges Ohio consumers had been forced to pay First Energy.

As a judge, Donnelly invalidated over $200 million in surcharges that Ohio consumers were "forced" to pay First Energy.

As a state supreme court justice, Donnelly rejected a proposal to pause the 6-week abortion ban instituted by the Hamilton County Court of Appeals.

- Supports eliminating "factually baseless plea bargains.", which  Donnelly stated is pleading to a crime one did not commit in an effort to resolve a court case. 
- Opposes "sentencing by ambush."
- Wants to establish a state criminal database as a means of promoting equitable sentences and enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the justice system. 
- As a judge, Donnelly invalidated over $200 million in surcharges that Ohio consumers were "forced" to pay First Energy.
- As a state supreme court justice, Donnelly rejected a proposal to pause the 6-week abortion ban instituted by the Hamilton County Court of Appeals.

Judicial Administration

Said "Ohioans shouldn't have the perception that we as judges vote according to party label...Everything that we do as judges has nothing to do with partisan politics. We are there to follow the law, not make the law, even if we disagree with a lot..."

- Said "Ohioans shouldn't have the perception that we as judges vote according to party label...Everything that we do as judges has nothing to do with partisan politics. We are there to follow the law, not make the law, even if we disagree with a lot..."

Judicial Philosophy

Served on the board of the Cleveland Baseball Federation and Chagrin Arts.

- Served on the board of the Cleveland Baseball Federation and Chagrin Arts. 

Community Involvement

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As a Supreme Court Justice, he was part of the majority that rejected gerrymandered districts, argued against the General Assembly's power to schedule a special August election in 2023, and supported keeping the Reproductive Freedom amendment on the 2023 ballot.

As a Supreme Court Justice, Donnelly rejected districts that were gerrymandered in violation of Ohio’s Constitution. 

Opposes backroom deals and said as a trial court judge, he "led a statewide effort that would prevent...behind-the-scenes deals...".

- As a Supreme Court Justice, Donnelly rejected districts that were gerrymandered in violation of Ohio’s Constitution. 
- Opposes backroom deals and said as a trial court judge, he "led a statewide effort that would prevent...behind-the-scenes deals...".
- Supports transparency.

Ethics & Conduct

As a state supreme court justice, Donnelly decides which cases the court will grant review of, evaluates questions of constitutional law, wrongful imprisonment cases, capital felonies, election contests, and the state’s use of the death penalty. The justice ensures that lower courts apply the law correctly, allows certain cases to be retried, and provides final interpretations of state law.

As a judge, led the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Court, overseeing criminal cases involving defendants with severe mental illness or developmental disabilities.

As a Common Pleas Court Judge, Donnelly helped lead the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Court, reviewed the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issued marriage licenses, administered divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain proceedings, and oversaw criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parent-less. 

As an attorney at the Climaco, Lefkowitz, Peca, Wilcox & Garofoli law firm, Donnelly researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and provided defense and counsel to clients, including injured workers.

- As a state supreme court justice, Donnelly decides which cases the court will grant review of, evaluates questions of constitutional law, wrongful imprisonment cases, capital felonies, election contests, and the state’s use of the death penalty. The justice ensures that lower courts apply the law correctly, allows certain cases to be retried, and provides final interpretations of state law.
- As a Common Pleas Court Judge, Donnelly helped lead the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Court, reviewed the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issued marriage licenses, administered divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain proceedings, and oversaw criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parent-less. 
- As an attorney at the Climaco, Lefkowitz, Peca, Wilcox & Garofoli law firm, Donnelly researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and provided defense and counsel to clients, including injured workers.

Legal Experience

Michael P. Donnelly

Michael P. Donnelly resides in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, with his wife, Nancy, and their two children. He is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School, John Carroll University, and Cleveland State University College of Law.

Michael P. Donnelly is a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court, a position he has held since January 2019. He previously served as a judge on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for 14 years and began his legal career as an assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor.

Michael P. Donnelly has served on the Ohio Supreme Court since January 2019. He was elected judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in 2004 and held that position for 14 years.

Believes in ensuring equal access to justice.

Believes plea deals in sexual assault cases are dangerous.

Believes in addressing the "coercive nature of 'dark pleas'" in judicial administration.

Believes in addressing injustice within the judicial system.

Believes in preventing "sentencing by ambush."

Believes in justice reform and protecting the innocent, as evidenced by his leadership in the Task Force on Conviction Integrity and Post-Conviction Review.

Believes in "nuanced and compassionate justice" as a judicial officer.

Believes in using data analysis to improve criminal justice outcomes.

Believes convicts face a difficult choice between maintaining their innocence or securing their freedom.

Opposes "baseless" plea bargains, believing they deny Ohio rape victims justice and erase their voices.

Believes the "dark plea" is a significant abuse of power in the criminal justice system.

Believes in judicial innovation and leadership, as demonstrated by his selection as one of two Ohio judges invited to participate in the National Judicial College’s leadership program.

Believes his judicial philosophy is best understood through his opinions as a justice.

Believes in an independent and impartial judiciary, saying "His thoughtful votes and well-reasoned opinions...reflect his unwavering commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring that every person receives equal treatment under the law."

Believes in protecting constitutional rights and maintaining judicial integrity.

Believes in protecting constitutional rights and upholding judicial integrity and independence.

Believes in a judiciary that values fairness, transparency, and impartiality, and supports Justice Donnelly's re-election to continue impacting civil rights, workers’ rights, and access to justice in Ohio.

Supports community welfare and safety education.

Supports professional development and ethical standards in the legal field.

Believes the 2024 election will shape the future of the Ohio Supreme Court as it faces some critical issues.

Supports the re-election of Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly.

Believes GOP extremists are targeting Ohio Supreme Court’s Democrats and warns of consequences if they succeed.

Supports re-electing Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly.

As an assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, fought for crime victims.

As a common pleas judge, Donnelly oversaw felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, and family law cases involving divorce, child custody, and adoption.

- The Supreme Court of Ohio has seven justices and serves as the final authority on the Ohio Constitution and Ohio law.
- The Court must accept appeals of cases that originated in the courts of appeals; cases involving the death penalty; cases involving questions arising under the U.S. Constitution or the Ohio Constitution; and cases in which there have been conflicting opinions from two or more courts of appeals.
- Decisions are made collectively by majority vote, and a justice writes the majority opinion.
- The justices elect a chief justice who serves as the administrative head of the state's court system, serving a six-year term.
- Justices are elected at large by the voters of Ohio for six-year terms across districts. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some justices are elected each year.
- The chief justice earns $174,700 per year and associate justices $164,000 per year.