Thomas J. O'Connell
Thomas O’Connell was born and raised in Ohio and has been practicing law in the state since 1985.
Thomas has devoted nearly his entire professional career to representing the rights of individuals who have been harmed by negligent or wrongful conduct. Thomas is listed as one of the top plaintiff’s lawyers in Ohio by Ohio Super Lawyers. Thomas collaborated with his partner, Lawrence Abramson, in winning a $17.8 million verdict in Hayes vs. Children’s Hospital, the largest medical malpractice verdict ever obtained in Franklin County. Thomas has a wide scope of experience in the field of personal injury law. He has undertaken complex medical negligence cases such as those involving birth injury, surgical errors, and delay in diagnosis. Thomas has also been entrusted with representing the victims of serious automobile collisions, defective products and unsafe premises. In all such cases, Thomas provides his extensive knowledge of personal injury law, thorough preparation and commitment to trial advocacy.
Thomas has lectured on trial advocacy and served for several years as the Chairman of the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Medical Negligence Committee. In addition to his professional commitments, Thomas has served as a volunteer for Hospice of Columbus and Big Brother Big Sister.
Areas of Practice
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Representation of Children
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury
- Product Liability
Litigation Percentage
- 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Ohio, 1985
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1986
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1986
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1986
Education
- University of Dayton School of Law, Dayton, Ohio
- J.D. - 1985
- Honors: Honorable William McMillian, Jr., Judicial clerk
- Law Review: University of Dayton Law Review, Editor
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- B.S. - 1982
Published Works
- Ohio's Attempts to Halt the Medical Malpractice Crisis: Effective or Meaningless?, Univ. of Dayton Law Review, 1984
Representative Cases
- Hayes vs. Children’s Hospital
- Ohio v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health, 497 U.S. 502 (1990) (U.S. Supreme Court)
- Lonberger v. Marshall, 808 F. 2d 1169 (1987) (U.S 6th Cir. Ct App.)
- In re Stouffer, 76 Ohio App 3d 181 (1991) (Ohio 4th Dist Ct App)
- York v. Tate, 858 F. 2d 322 (1988) (U.S. 6th Cir Ct. App)
Classes/Seminars
- Trial Advocacy, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Medical Negligence Committee
- Fatal Cerebral Venous Thrombosis, Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers Assoc
- Jury Selection, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Assoc
Honors and Awards
- President's Award: Central Ohio Association for Justice for Outstanding Service
- Certificate for Outstanding Legal Service: Ohio State Highway Patrol
- Appointed as an editor for the University of Dayton Law Review
- Moot Court Finalist: University of Dayton School of Law
- Selected to Super Lawyers: 2009 - 2014
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Franklin County Trial Lawyers Medical Negligence Committee, Chairman
- Columbus Bar Association, Member
- Central Ohio Attorneys for Justice, Member
- Ohio Association for Justice, Member
- American Association for Justice, Member
Past Employment Positions
- State of Ohio, Assistant Attorney General
- Federal Litigation Section, Attorney General
- U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, Appellate Counsel
- U.S. Supreme Court, Appellate Counsel
Pro Bono Activities
- Hospice of Columbus, Volunteer
- Big Brother Big Sister, Volunteer
