Ann Donnelly


Ann Marie Donnelly is a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Early life and education

Donnelly received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981 from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor in 1984 from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Career as a prosecutor

From 1984 to 2009, she was a prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney's Office. From 1997 to 2005, she served as Senior Trial Counsel and from 2005-09, she served as Chief of the Family Violence and Child Abuse Bureau.
As an assistant district attorney, Donnelly successfully prosecuted former Tyco International CEO L. Dennis Kozlowski for securities fraud and grand larceny, among other crimes. Donnelly was also part of the prosecution team in the murder trial of Sante Kimes and her son, Kenneth Kimes.

State judge

From 2009 to 2015, she served as a judge of the New York Court of Claims. Concurrently, she served at various points on the New York Supreme Court in Bronx County, Kings County, and New York County, as well as on a Special Term for Election Matters.
As a state court judge, Donnelly presided over the trial of Adam Tang, a day trader convicted of reckless endangerment and reckless driving for his illegal high-speed street racing around Manhattan and posting videos of the stunt on YouTube. After Tang fled the country during his trial, Donnelly issued a warrant for his arrest and sentenced him in absentia to a year in jail.

Federal judicial service

On November 20, 2014, President Barack Obama nominated Donnelly to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, to the seat vacated by Judge Sandra L. Townes, who took senior status on May 1, 2015. Senator Charles Schumer recommended Donnelly for the position.
On December 16, 2014, her nomination was returned to the President due to the sine die adjournment of the 113th Congress. On January 7, 2015, President Obama renominated her to the same position. She received a hearing before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee on May 6, 2015. On June 4, 2015 her nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote. On October 20, 2015 the Senate voted 95–2 to confirm Donnelly. She received her judicial commission on October 21, 2015. An investiture ceremony was held on January 22, 2016.

Notable case

On January 28, 2017, Donnelly issued an emergency stay blocking part of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump from going into effect. The ruling enjoined the federal government from deporting individuals who had arrived in the country with valid visas or refugee status. Several minutes after Donnelly entered her order, another judge, Leonie M. Brinkema of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from preventing the return of lawful permanent residents at Dulles International Airport.