Anne C. McDonough For Judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division

Candidate Details

Residence
Fairview Park
Email
annemcdonough2022@gmail.com
Website
annecmcdonough.com
Social Media
facebook.com/AnneCMcDonoughforJudge
Age
41
Occupation
Magistrate/Assistant Legal Counsel at Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court
Education
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, May 2007

Juris Doctor

•       Frank L. Bartak Memorial Fund Award for Contracts

•       Studied International and Comparative Human Rights in Galway, Ireland.

•       Wrote Election Law paper, “Is Ohio Complying with Mandatory Federal Voting Registration Law?” that became basis for federal lawsuit.

The Ohio State University, June 2003

B.A. in Political Science, Minor: Business
Work Experience
Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, 2016-Present           Cleveland, OH

Judge Thomas F. O’Malley’s Delinquency Magistrate and Assistant Legal Counsel

•       Assistant Legal Counsel (November 2018-Present)

o      Lead and work cooperatively on large project management, contracts, media and community relations, and other programming initiatives.

o      Research and draft administrative policies and legal memorandum.

o      Monitor and provide updates on current caselaw and statutory changes.

o      Represent Court on the PSN STANCE Executive Committee and Local Rules Committee.

•       Magistrate (October 2016-January 2021)

o      Hold arraignments, pre-trials, and trials for misdemeanor and low-level felony delinquency matters.

o      Order dispositive and creative consequences and follow compliance with probation services.

o      Conduct competency, civil protection, and other related hearings.

o      Participate on the ODYS Committee.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, 2012-2016           Cleveland, OH

Presiding and Administrative Judge John J. Russo’s Magistrate and Staff Attorney (April 2012-October 2016)

•       Magistrate

o      Conducted, scheduled, and organized all garnishment hearings and debtor examinations for Court of Common Pleas.

o      Held ex parte and full hearings on civil stalking protection orders.

•       Staff Attorney

o      Managed the daily tasks for the Administrative and Civil Docket.

o      Researched and drafted court opinions, administrative policies, and memorandum.

o      Conducted case management conferences, settlement conferences, and final pretrials for and with Judge John J. Russo.

•       The Honor Project Trust (April 2012-September 2014)

o      Aided Judge John J. Russo in the administration of trust and distribution of over 11 million dollars to charities in the State of Ohio.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office        2005- 2012                Cleveland, OH

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (January 2008-April 2012)

•       Early Disposition Case Management Unit (January 2011-April 2012)

o      Work with suburban police departments from arrest in order to charge cases.

o      Responsible for identifying and expediting lower level felony cases for early resolution through plea, diversion, or Early Intervention Drug program.

•       General Felony Unit (January 2009-January 2011)

o      Managed a case load of 60 cases; Responsible for researching and writing all pre-trial motions.

o      Researched, wrote, and argued Appellate Briefs in front of the Eighth District Court of Appeals.

o      Served as First Chair on jury and bench trials.

•       Prior experience in the Juvenile Justice and Child Support Enforcement Unit. Have created strong professional contacts in all areas.

•       Experience working with violent crime victims, children, domestic violence victims and senior citizen victims; attended Child Violence Summit in May 2009 in Portland, Oregon.

•       Attended Civil Rights Conference, Hate Crimes, November 15, 2010.

Law Clerk (Fall 2005-December 2007)

•       Worked for the Major Trial, Economic Crime, Appellate and Civil Units.

•       Prepared capital motions and assisted in trial preparation for capital murder trial with Major Trial Prosecutor.

•       Researched and drafted appellate briefs and other legal memorandum.

•       Performed specific research and administrative tasks for Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys.

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio,2005             Cleveland, OH

Extern, Judge Christopher A. Boyko

•       Researched and drafted court opinions and memorandum.

•       Aided with and observed daily court activities.

•       Gained insight on judicial decision-making process.

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Bailiff/Scheduler (2004-2005)

Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Deputy Clerk (2003-2004)
Family
Single Mom of 2 children
Affiliations
•       Greater Cleveland YWCA Distinguished Young Women Award, (2018)

•       Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member, Leadership Academy Participant (2021-2022)

•       Ohio Women’s Bar Association, Member

•       DEIJ Task Force-Fairview Park City Schools, Parent Subcommittee Member

•       Connecting for Kids, Member

•       Ohio Association of Court Administrators, Member

•       Ohio Association of Magistrates, Former Member

•       Parkview PTA, Secretary (2017-2019)

• Judicial Conference of the Eighth Judicial District, Lifetime Member

• Attended Civil Rights Conference, Hate Crimes, (November 15, 2010)

• Attended Child Violence Summit, (May 2009)

• Attended the 2022 National Conference on Juvenile Justice, March 2022

• Led and coordinated a two (2) day Juvenile Court Symposium in collaboration with Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and Family Law Section of the CMBA.

• Recruited speakers, provided 10.75 hours of CLE training and GAL training as well. • Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, Local Rules Committee

• Project Safe Neighborhood, STANCE Executive Committee, Represent Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court on behalf of Administrative Judge Thomas F. O’Malley
Endorsements
https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2022/09/anne-c-mcdonough-for-cuyahoga-county-juvenile-court-jan-1-term-endorsement-editorial.html• Endorsed by Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer

• Endorsed bymost local unions including: The Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council, The North Shore Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, AFSCME Ohio Council 8, Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Works, and Grain Millers International Union, Local 19, Building Laborers' Union, Local 310, United Auto Workers Region 2B, Plumbers Union Local 55, Teamsters Ohio D.R.I.V.E.

• Endorsed by The Association of Cleveland Firefighters IAFF, Local 93

• The Cuyahoga County Young Democrats

• Many local elected officials throughout Cuyahoga County
Bar Association Ratings
https://www.judge4yourself.com/judicial-candidate-ratings/Candidate

Anne C. McDonough

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

• Juvenile Court Magistrate-(2016-Present)I handled everything from third degree felony delinquency matters and below for Judge Thomas F. O’Malley. I handled the entire case from arraignments, pretrials, and trials for these matters through disposition. I was responsible to handle all motions, competency matters, civil protection orders, Bridges Hearings, and custody reviews. I also have experience as a Magistrate for Emergency Custody hearings and custody reviews for the Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Docket.

• General Division Judicial Staff Attorney/Magistrate, (2014-2016)-I worked with Judge John J. Russo. As Magistrate, I conducted garnishment hearings, ex parte civil stalking protection order hearings etc. for and with Judge Russo.

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Question 2

What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?

I was born into a family where public service and the law are a highly regarded professional calling. My grandfather was an Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Cleveland and my grandmother, a deputy clerk for Probate Court. It was with their history in mind, that I pursued a career in the law and focused on public service.

I have spent my entire career around the law and in and around a courtroom. I started my career in public service where laws are made as a Legislative Page at the Ohio Statehouse. I then attended night school at Cleveland Marshall while serving as a Bailiff/Scheduler. It was this position, where I was first able to see the individual impact a Judge is able to have to improve an individual’s life. I continued to gain experience as a trial attorney working as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. I have continued to work with and for Judges at the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court as a staff attorney and then Magistrate.

Further, I serve as Assistant Legal Counsel for Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court which has allowed me the unique opportunity to understand the needs and challenges of our court from both the Courtroom and Administrative perspective.

My personal, professional, and community experience would shape my approach to juvenile justice. Every experience has made me who I am today-from volunteering in the community, being the daughter of a social worker and small business owner. My perspective and trauma infomred approach have been shaped from my life as a single mom of two children, parenting a special needs child, and overcoming other personal challenges.

Lastly, I am always willing to learn. I would want to be an actively engaged jurist within the community and would take every opportunity to learn how to become more educated and informed on all issues and challenges within the world of juvenile justice.

All of these experiences collectively make me the person I am and the reason I believe I have the level of community commitment and understanding necessary to excel in this position. I show up and do the work both personally and professionally. I have the right combination of professional qualifications, community, engagement, commitment and personal passion to excel in this position.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I have spent my entire career around the law and in and around a courtroom. I started my career in public service where laws are made as a Legislative Page at the Ohio Statehouse. I attended night school at Cleveland Marshall while serving as a Bailiff/Scheduler. It was this position, where I was first able to see the individual impact a Judge is able to have to improve an individual’s life. I continued to gain experience as a trial attorney working as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. I have continued to work with and for Judges at the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court as a staff attorney and then Magistrate. Further, I serve as Assistant Legal Counsel which has allowed me the unique opportunity to understand the needs and challenges of our court from both the Courtroom and Administrative perspective.

Every experience has made me who I am today-from volunteering in the community, being the daughter of a social worker and small business owner. My perspective and trauma infomred approach have been shaped from my life as a single mom of two children, parenting a special needs child, and overcoming other personal challenges.

I show up and do the work both personally and professionally. I have the right combination of professional qualifications, community, engagement, commitment and personal passion to excel in this position.

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I aspire to be a Juvenile Court Judge because I believe it is our most important court. We are trusted to serve the children and families of Cuyahoga County. I have found this court to be where I have found the most challenging work of my legal career, but also where I have found the most hope and opportunity to impact the future. I believe it is Juvenile Court where I have made the most impact as attorney and Magistrate to help children and families in a positive and rehabilitative way and I would be honored to expand that as a Judge.

I would bring my extensive experience, passion for juvenile justice, innovative ideas, a firm but compassionate approach, and my willingness to learn to the bench with me. I would strive to be a motivated and dedicated jurist to our children and families everyday if given the honor to serve them.

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