Judge Thomas M. Donnelly: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Illinois ARDC Bar #: None (11/6/1986)

Appointed By: Illinois Supreme Court

Biography

The Hon. Thomas More Donnelly is an Associate Judge for the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2000. Judge Donnelly is currently assigned to the Trial Section of the Law Division.


Over the course of his judicial career, Donnelly has spearheaded three court programs to assist self-represented litigations, including the CBA Summary Suspension Volunteer Program, the CARPLS Consumer Collection Self-Help Desk, and the CBA Municipal Court Pro Bono Panel Program.


Donnelly earned a B.A. from St. John’s College in 1981 and completed his J.D. at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1986.


After graduating from law school, Donnelly served for two years as a law clerk for the Hon. Mary Ann G. McMorrow (deceased) of the Illinois Appellate Court. He then joined the Law Office of the Public Defender, where he worked as an Assistant Public Defender until his appointment.


He has served as president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, chair of the John Howard Association, and vice-chair of the National Center for the Laity, and his memberships have included the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee, the Chicago Bar Association Professional Responsibility Committee, and the Illinois State Bar Association Standing Committee on Professional Conduct.


Donnelly has taught a number of classes at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, including Illinois Civil Litigation Practice, Illinois Tax Litigation and Procedure, Professional Responsibility, and Criminal Procedure. He also served on the Advisory Board of Loyola’s Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage.


He lives with his wife in Chicago’s Queen of Angels Parish, where he has served as a lector and a confirmation catechist.

Recent Cases by Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly

On September 2, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Sep 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Injunctive Action

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2026

On August 27, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Aug 27, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

General Equitable

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 27, 2026

On August 25, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Aug 25, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

General Equitable

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 25, 2026

On July 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Declaratory Action

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 30, 2026

On July 16, 2026 a trust construction case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Trust Construction

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Trusts

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 17, 2026

On July 15, 2026 a general chancery case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

General Chancery

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

General Equitable

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 17, 2026

On July 15, 2026 class actions case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 15, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Class Actions

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 16, 2026

On July 14, 2026 a retaliatory discharge - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Retaliatory Discharge - Jury

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 14, 2026

On July 14, 2026 a quiet title case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Quiet Title

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Quiet Title

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 14, 2026

On July 14, 2026 a breach of contract - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Breach of Contract - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 14, 2026

On July 13, 2026 a breach of contract - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 13, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Breach of Contract - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 13, 2026

On July 10, 2026 an injunction case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Injunction

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Injunctive Action

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 13, 2026

On July 10, 2026 a declaratory judgment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Declaratory Judgment

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Declaratory Action

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 13, 2026

On July 10, 2026 a breach of contract - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Breach of Contract - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

On July 10, 2026 an arbitration case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Arbitration

Practice Area

Arbitration

Matter Type

General Arbitration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

On July 10, 2026 a fraud - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Fraud - Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

On July 9, 2026 a breach of contract - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 09, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Breach of Contract - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 09, 2026

On July 8, 2026 a breach of contract - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 08, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Breach of Contract - Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 09, 2026

On July 8, 2026 an accounting case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 08, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Accounting

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

General Equitable

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 09, 2026

On July 8, 2026 an other commercial litigation - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 08, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Other Commercial Litigation - Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 09, 2026

On July 7, 2026 a statutory action - non jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 07, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Statutory Action - Non Jury

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

On July 7, 2026 a rescission of a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 07, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Rescission of a Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 09, 2026

On July 7, 2026 a breach of contract - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 07, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Breach of Contract - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 09, 2026

On July 6, 2026 a declaratory judgment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.

Filed

Jul 06, 2026

Judge

Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas M. Donnelly

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Declaratory Judgment

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Declaratory Action

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 06, 2026