MEET MAGISTRATE KAREN CONNELLY

Magistrate Karen Connelly has served our community in both the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division and Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office for more than 20 years.

Magistrate Connelly was born and raised in Toledo. She attended St. Ursula Academy before graduating cum laude from Boston College in 1997. Magistrate Connelly returned to Toledo and graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2001. Magistrate Connelly is the proud mother of five children. She considers herself most fortunate to reside in the same community as her siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

“It is said that Family Court is made up of good people at the most difficult time of their life; there is truth in this statement. I think it is important to not lose sight of this. In my courtroom, I see the effects of violence, income disparity and many other barriers to justice people endure. But I also get to see heroism. I am privileged to witness the greatness of parental love working to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. My role is to support these heroes with this challenge.”

Experience

Magistrate     Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division Toledo, Ohio. September 2014 – Present.

Hears and rules on thousands of cases involving custody, support, asset division disputes, and contempt findings. Manages pretrials and trials, considers testimony before the court with knowledge of statutory and case law to make just, equitable, informed, and legally- sound decisions. Supervising Magistrate of the domestic violence department with staff handling more than 100 cases per month.

Staff Attorney      Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division Toledo, Ohio. November 2004 – August 2014.

Managed judicial dockets and all pleadings filed. Fielded procedural questions for attorneys and litigants. Researched and drafted orders, judgment entries, and decisions.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney      Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office Toledo, Ohio. November 2001 – September 2004.

Handled the prosecution of felony, misdemeanor and traffic offenses committed by children under the age of 18 as well as adult misdemeanor cases on contributing charges. Prosecutor for certification “bind over” hearings to adult felony court and serious youthful offender hearings.

Memberships

  • Toledo Bar Association, Chairwoman of the Domestic Relations Committee 2020-2022
  • Lucas County Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Ohio Association of Magistrates
  • Ohio Bar Admission November 2001

Education

University of Toledo College of Law, Juris Doctor, Toledo, Ohio. Class of 2001.

Boston College, Bachelor of Arts: History Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Class of 1997. Cum Laude

St. Ursula Academy, High School Diploma  Toledo, Ohio. Class of 1993.