Jennifer O'Donnell
For Judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
Unexpired Term Ending 1/3/2027
*Top Vote-Getter in General Election
Candidate Details
- Residence
Bay Village - Email
jenniferodonnellforjudge@gmail.com - Website
jenniferodonnellforjudge.com - Social Media
facebook.com/jenniferodonnellforjudge - Age
40 - Occupation
Assistant Cuyahoga County Public Defender - Education
Denison University (2004) - B.A., History
Case Western Reserve University School of Law (2007) - J.D.
- Work Experience
Office of the Cuyahoga County Public Defender - Assistant Public Defender (May 2008 - present)
Office of the Cuyahoga County Public Defender - law clerk (April 2006 - May 2008)
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Bar Association Guardian ad Litem Project - law clerk (May 2005 - May 2006)
- Family
Married with 1 child - Affiliations
Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Ohio Women's Bar Association
AFSCME Local 3631 - member
North Shore AFL-CIO - delegate representing AFSCME
- Endorsements
https://www.jenniferodonnellforjudge.com/endorsements2022
Jennifer O'Donnell
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
n/a
Abbreviated Candidate Answersn/a
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I am a 14 year veteran of the Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office. During that time, I have practiced almost daily within our court system and represented countless indigent members of our community charged in a variety of criminal matters. I have a deep and intimate understanding of the criminal justice system in Cuyahoga County, and many of the ways that we are falling short. Through my experience, I see the urgent need for judges ready to work alongside county government to improve conditions in the county jail, prioritize bail reform, and expand mental health and substance abuse resources for defendants.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI am a 14 year veteran of the Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office. During that time, I have practiced almost daily within our court system and represented countless indigent members of our community charged in a variety of criminal matters. I have a deep and intimate understanding of the criminal justice system in Cuyahoga County, and many of the ways that we are falling short. Through my experience, I see the urgent need for judges ready to work alongside county government to improve conditions in the county jail, prioritize bail reform, and expand mental health and substance abuse resources for defendants.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge to bring a much-needed public defender perspective to the bench. If elected this November, I will be the only former Cuyahoga County Public Defender on the bench. Nearly half of our current bench comes from a prosecutor background, yet there are no former public defenders. I am running to provide balance and a diversity of experience to our court. I will approach my role as a judge with the same empathy and compassion that I approach my role with as a public defender.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI am running for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge to bring a much-needed public defender perspective to the bench. If elected this November, I will be the only former Cuyahoga County Public Defender on the bench. Nearly half of our current bench comes from a prosecutor background, yet there are no former public defenders. I am running to provide balance and a diversity of experience to our court. I will approach my role as a judge with the same empathy and compassion that I approach my role with as a public defender.