Atty. Terrence O'Donnell
Terrence O'Donnell leads Dickinson Wright’s firmwide government relations team. His focus is public policy advocacy at the Ohio statehouse, administrative law, and regulatory compliance.
Profile Summary
About Terrence O'Donnell at a glance
Terrence O'Donnell is a government and energy attorney based in Columbus, Ohio, practicing at Dickinson Wright PLLC. Educated at University of Notre Dame (J.D., 2001). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Government Relations Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in Columbus, OH and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Terrence O'Donnell leads Dickinson Wright’s firmwide government relations team
- His focus is public policy advocacy at the Ohio statehouse, administrative law, and regulatory compliance
- Terrence represents dozens of companies, trade groups, and nonprofits before the State General Assembly and executive agencies
- He also collaborates with lawyers in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office to lobby the United States Congress
- Terrence brings eighteen years of experience to his practice
- He represents all manner of interests, including the renewable energy industry, a major national brewer with an Ohio manufacturing facility, regulated cannabis companies, the state’s largest self-insured professional employment organization (“PEO”), and education and workforce development providers
- He represents a number of Cleveland-area clients, including the Regional Transit Authority, the Ohio Aerospace Institute, and the region's Lake Erie offshore wind developer, LEEDCo
- Terrence has significant experience leading and working in large stakeholder coalitions, where he brings a substantive focus to complex public policy challenges
- He also has election law experience (including ballot issues)
- Terrence advocated for Ohio's landmark Renewable Portfolio Standard, requiring the state's investor-owned utility companies to utilize clean energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and energy efficiency for a portion of their generation
- He collaborates with colleagues to assist energy companies on permitting and other regulatory matters at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, as well as commercial transactions
- He recently began working with a consortium of Foundations as they collaborate on clean water policy
- Terrence maintains strong political relationships across both sides of the aisle
Practice Areas Explained
Terrence O'Donnell's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Terrence O'Donnell handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.
Terrence O'Donnell is one of 118,414 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Ohio →
Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.
Terrence O'Donnell is one of 32,699 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in Ohio →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Ohio
Practicing law in Ohio. Legal matters in Ohio are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Columbus are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ohio state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ohio brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ohio courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Ohio attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Columbus or all attorneys in Ohio.
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