Overview
Justice Terrence O’Donnell has established an appellate practice advising attorneys on matters pending in state Courts of Appeal and Supreme Courts nationwide, as well as on matters in Federal District and Circuit Courts of Appeal.
In his appellate advocacy practice, Justice O’Donnell assists counsel on the formulation of appellate issues and arguments, preparation of briefs and appellate pleadings, and conducting mock oral arguments in a realistic court-simulated setting.
He also serves as an arbitrator and conducts mediation sessions.
Prior to joining Frantz Ward, Justice O’Donnell served as the 149th Justice on the Supreme Court of Ohio, serving for 16 years from 2003 – 2018, where he led statewide efforts to promote professionalism among judges and lawyers across the state and implemented a Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program that is recognized nationally as one of the finest in the United States. He began his judicial career in 1980 on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and served there for 14 years until his election to the Eighth District Court of Appeals, where he served for eight years.
Justice O’Donnell has been recognized by every educational institution he has attended for his excellence throughout his career.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University, J.D., 1971
- Kent State University, B.A., 1968
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Bar Association
- Law Related Education Committee, Chairman
- Supreme Court of Ohio
- Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Member
- Catholic Lawyer’s Guild of Cleveland, Officer
- 2005 Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellows Class, Member
- 2011 Irish Legal 100, Member
- Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Cleveland, Board of Trustees, Former Member
Community Involvement
- Our Lady of the Wayside, Former Member Board of Trustees
- Magnificat High School, Board of Trustees, Former Member
Awards & Honors
- Awarded with the St. Thomas More Award by the Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland in 2017
- Named Person of the Year by the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland in 2015
- Received the Jurisprudence Award from the American ORT Cleveland Chapter in 2006
- Honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Cleveland State University in 2006
- Awarded an Honorary Doctors Degree by University of Akron School of Law in 2006
- Named Outstanding Graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences by Kent State University in 2005
Presentations & Lectures
Justice O’Donnell has lectured extensively throughout Ohio on topics of ethics, professionalism, and appellate advocacy and supports the expansion and strengthening of lawyer mentoring in the state.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University, J.D., 1971
- Kent State University, B.A., 1968
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Bar Association
- Law Related Education Committee, Chairman
- Supreme Court of Ohio
- Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Member
- Catholic Lawyer’s Guild of Cleveland, Officer
- 2005 Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellows Class, Member
- 2011 Irish Legal 100, Member
- Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Cleveland, Board of Trustees, Former Member
Community Involvement
- Our Lady of the Wayside, Former Member Board of Trustees
- Magnificat High School, Board of Trustees, Former Member
Awards & Honors
- Awarded with the St. Thomas More Award by the Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland in 2017
- Named Person of the Year by the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland in 2015
- Received the Jurisprudence Award from the American ORT Cleveland Chapter in 2006
- Honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Cleveland State University in 2006
- Awarded an Honorary Doctors Degree by University of Akron School of Law in 2006
- Named Outstanding Graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences by Kent State University in 2005
Presentations & Lectures
Justice O’Donnell has lectured extensively throughout Ohio on topics of ethics, professionalism, and appellate advocacy and supports the expansion and strengthening of lawyer mentoring in the state.
