Thomas J. Donnelly
1172 Brownell Street, Suite I
Clearwater, Florida 33756
Office: (727) 461-4955
Fax: (727) 461-9504
asst.tjd@thomasjdonnelly.com

Senior Partner

Practice Areas
Family Law, Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Civil Practice

Mr. Donnelly graduated with honors from Northeastern University, College of Criminal Justice, in 1973 where he was the recipient of the Alumni Award for Professional Promise.

Mr. Donnelly served his country in the United States Army as a military policeman in Europe. He was honorably discharged in 1976, and is a Vietnam-era Veteran and is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Mr. Donnelly attended Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated with honors in 1980. He was admitted to practice law in the state of Florida in September of 1980, and has been admitted to practice law in the United States Federal District Court, Middle District of the State of Florida, and the United States Supreme Court.

The Law Offices of Thomas J. Donnelly was formed on October 1, 1980. It has been involved in general practice since that time with an emphasis on family law, criminal defense, probate, commercial litigation and personal injury.

Mr. Donnelly has litigation experience in family law, criminal, and general civil litigation in County, Circuit and Federal District Court. He has litigated in all areas of family law, including alimony and child support, equitable distribution, and all child related issues. He has represented individuals in the criminal defense area with charges ranging from Reckless Driving through First Degree Murder. His murder cases include State of Florida vs. Derrick Tyrone Smith, State of Florida vs. Clinton Lamar Jackson, State of Florida vs. Felita Robinson, State of Florida vs. Bobby Brown, State of Florida vs. John Schenk. He has also argued appeals before the Second District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Florida.

Mr. Donnelly was born in Fall River, Massachusetts. He has been married since 1987 to the former Patricia S. Zegers of Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Donnelly holds her M.S.N. Degree and is Vice President of Nursing at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa. They have a blended family with four sons, Thomas Jr., Michael, Justin, and Ryan.

Mr. Donnelly's past civilian employment experience includes the United States Air Force, United States Department of Justice, and the United States Department of Labor. He was a youth basketball coach and Little League baseball manager for over a decade. He is a member of Northwood Presbyterian Church where his duties have included teaching Sunday School.

Current Employment Position(s):

• Founding Partner, Since 1980

Areas of Practice:

• Personal Injury
• Family law
• Criminal Defense
• Commercial Litigation
• Personal Injury

Litigation Percentage:

• 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:

• Florida, 1980
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 1982
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1987

Education:

• Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts, 1980

J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
Honors: Cum Laude (With Honors)

• Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1973

B.S., Bachelor of Science

Honors: Cum Laude

Honors: Alumni Award for Professional Promise

Representative Cases:

• Hughes vs. Hughes, 441 So.2d 688 (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1983)
• Van Royal vs. State, 497 So.2d 625 (Fla.Sup. 1986)
• Keith vs. Keith, 537 So.2d 138 (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1989)
• Connolly vs. Connolly, 543 So.2d 356Fla.App 2 Dist. 1989)
• O'Leesky vs. Liggett, 544 So.2d 268 (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1989)
• Rogers vs. State, 586 So.2d 1148 (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1991)
• Reynolds vs. Reynolds, 711 So.2d 45 (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1999)

Representative Clients:

• Clearwater Community Hospital
• Newt L. Hardgrave MD
• Columbia Specialty Services
• Global Air Charter, Inc.
• AAA Air Ambulance

Honors and Awards:

• Sertoma International Centurion Award, 1982-1983
• Service to Mankind Year Award, 1988
• Alumni Award for Professional Promise
• Honorable Discharge, U.S. Army
• Clearwater Bar President's Award 2008-2009

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Clearwater Breakfast Sertoma, 1981-1989
• Safety Harbor/Countryside Little League, 1983-1993 Manager
• Northwood Presbyterian Church

Member and Sunday School Teacher

• Safety Harbor Youth Basketball, 1983-1995 Coach
• The Florida Bar, 1980-present
• The Florida Bar, Family Section
• The Florida Bar, Criminal Section
• Canakaris Inn of Court
• Chairman of the Clearwater Bar Family Law Section, 2003-2006
• Clearwater Bar Association Board of Directiors, 2005-2009

Past Employment Positions:

• United States Army, Military Police
• United States Air Force, Civilian Employee
• United States Department of Justice
• United States Department of Labor

Every case and situation is unique. Your attorney will evaluate your individual situation and advise you how best to proceed regarding these and other issues. The above statements are made for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The Law Offices of Thomas J. Donnelly shall not bear responsibility for any actions taken based upon the above information. Seeking professional help for your legal problems and concerns is imperative.