Karen K Connelly
Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division
Full Term Commencing Jan. 3, 2025
Candidate Details
- Residence
Ottawa Hills - Email
karenconnellyforjudge@gmail.com - Website
karenconnellyforjudge.com - Social Media
facebook.com/KarenConnellyForJudge - Age
49 - Occupation
Magistrate - Education
University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio
College of Law
Juris Doctorate
2001
Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Bachelor of Arts in History
Cum Laude
1997
- Work Experience
MAGISTRATE
September 2014 – Present
Lucas County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
STAFF ATTORNEY
November 2004 – August 2014
Lucas County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
ASSISTANT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
November 2001 – September 2004
Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
- Family
Mother of five children - Affiliations
Ohio Bar Admission November 2001
Ohio Association of Magistrates
Ohio State Bar Association
Lucas County Bar Association
Toledo Bar Association
Served as Chair of the Domestic Relations Committee, 2020-2022
University of Toledo Alumni Association
- Endorsements
Lucas County Democratic Party
Karen K Connelly
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
MAGISTRATE
September 2014 – Present
Lucas County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
Abbreviated Candidate Answers
MAGISTRATE
September 2014 – Present
Lucas County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Upon passing the Bar, I served as an Assistant Lucas County Prosecutor in the Juvenile Division. In this role, I prosecuted juveniles charged with felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses and adults in contributing cases, in addition to every sexual assault complaint filed against a juvenile in the county. I also represented the State of Ohio in certification “bind-over” hearings to adult felony Court and serious youthful offender hearings.
Abbreviated Candidate Answers
Upon passing the Bar, I served as an Assistant Lucas County Prosecutor in the Juvenile Division. In this role, I prosecuted juveniles charged with felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses and adults in contributing cases, in addition to every sexual assault complaint filed against a juvenile in the county. I also represented the State of Ohio in certification “bind-over” hearings to adult felony Court and serious youthful offender hearings.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
For the previous decade I have served as Magistrate in the Lucas County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division, the same court which I now seek to become Judge. I preside over, and have presided over, thousands of cases involving custody, child and spousal support, property division disputes, contempt, divorce and dissolution. I manage pretrial and trials, consider testimony before the Court with direct knowledge of pertinent statutory and case law. I also serve as the supervising Magistrate of the Domestic Violence Department. I now seek to further continue the equitable and legally sound judicial work that I have been so committed.
Abbreviated Candidate Answers
For the previous decade I have served as Magistrate in the Lucas County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division, the same court which I now seek to become Judge, I preside over, and have presided over, thousands of cases involving custody, child and spousal support, property division disputes, contempt, divorce and dissolution. I manage pretrial and trials, consider testimony before the Court with direct knowledge of statutory and case law, as well as the supervising Magistrate of the Domestic Violence Department. I now seek to further continue the equitable and legally sound judicial work that I have been so committed.