Judge Jennifer O'Donnell Rules & Standing Orders

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 421 rules apply across Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Fees

All 126

Applies to
Mediation
No mediation fees are charged for civil cases referred to the court's dispute resolution department.
Applies to
Mediation
When a case is referred to a mediator outside the court's dispute resolution department, the parties share the mediation cost in proportions they agree upon.
Fee
$66
Applies to
Special process server application
Filing a Special Process Server application costs $66.00 plus any applicable Special Project Fees.

Filing Timing

All 85

A motion for extraordinary assigned-counsel compensation must be filed with the usual affidavit and entry requesting assigned-counsel fees.
Assigned counsel must apply in writing for an investigator at least 30 days before trial.
A Guardian Ad Litem may request fees above the schedule by using the extraordinary-compensation procedure.

Filing Requirements

All 56

Applies to
Notice of appearance
A notice of limited appearance must use the prescribed title, describe the representation’s scope and justification, and state that the limited representation was communicated to the client in writing.
Applies to
Proposed standing order
The applicant must submit a proposed standing order with the specified caption and language designating the applicant to serve process and subpoenas for the stated one-year term or until further court order.
Applies to
Special process server application
An application for a standing order designating a Special Process Server must be supported by an affidavit containing the stated applicant information and agreements.

Adjournments

All 39

Mediation continuances require good cause, generally cannot be based solely on pending motions, and will not be granted unless mediation can be scheduled before the next court event.
If the Court cannot rule by the scheduled ruling date for any reason, the trial date must be continued for at least 60 days.
An automatic trial-date continuance does not apply when a party obtains an extension of the briefing schedule that requires extending the ruling date, although the Court may continue the trial date in its discretion.

More categories

View all Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division rules

About Judge Jennifer O'Donnell

On the Common Pleas bench since: December 2022
Admitted to the bar: 2008
Legal experience: Assistant Public Defender, Cuyahoga County’s Public Defender’s Office (14 years)

Courtroom: 17-B
Courthouse: 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Fax: (216) 348-4037
Bailiff: Andy K. Hammersmith (216) 443-8756
Staff attorney: Christine M. Sweeney (216) 443-8612

Common questions about Judge Jennifer O'Donnell's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Jennifer O'Donnell?

Courtesy copies of filings are not required.

View ruleSource: page 1, section General

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Jennifer O'Donnell?

Judge Jennifer O'Donnell's formatting rule includes email in word version to the staff attorney at cmsweeney@cuyahogacounty.us. Proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be emailed to the Staff Attorney in Word format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Trials

What must be included with default judgment motion filings before Judge Jennifer O'Donnell?

A default-judgment motion must include a plaintiff damages affidavit, applicable military-status verification, and a proposed judgment entry.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motion Practice

What must be included with pretrial statement filings before Judge Jennifer O'Donnell?

The rule requires statement of facts. The required final-pretrial statement must address facts, disputed legal issues, stipulations, witnesses, trial length, anticipated pretrial motions, and trial equipment needs.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Pre-Trials

How may parties contact Judge Jennifer O'Donnell's chambers?

A party may request a status conference about the case-management schedule or other issues by calling or emailing the Staff Attorney.

View ruleSource: page 1, section General

What filing deadlines does Judge Jennifer O'Donnell set?

Each party must submit the specified pretrial statement at least seven days before the final pretrial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Pre-Trials

Complete rules summary for Judge Jennifer O'Donnell

A default-judgment motion must include a plaintiff damages affidavit, applicable military-status verification, and a proposed judgment entry.

Courtesy copies of filings are not required.

A party may request a status conference about the case-management schedule or other issues by calling or emailing the Staff Attorney.

Each party must submit the specified pretrial statement at least seven days before the final pretrial.

The required final-pretrial statement must address facts, disputed legal issues, stipulations, witnesses, trial length, anticipated pretrial motions, and trial equipment needs.

All motions in limine must be filed fourteen days before trial.

The specified trial filings must be submitted seven days before the trial date.

Counsel and parties must appear at 9:00 a.m. on the first day of trial.

Proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be emailed to the Staff Attorney in Word format.

Trial filings must include responses to any motions in limine, trial briefs, witness and exhibit lists, qualifying deposition transcripts and objection information, stipulations, and proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms.