On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the South Bend Tribune reported that local attorney Molly E. Donnelly has been appointed as the new magistrate judge for the St. Joseph Circuit Court, succeeding Andre Gammage, who is set to retire in early May.

Donnelly has a significant background in law, having served as the branch chief for the South Bend division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana since September 2020. In this role, she has been responsible for supervising and training assistant U.S. attorneys, as well as collaborating with law enforcement agencies. Before her current position, Donnelly became an assistant U.S. attorney in 2016, where she handled a variety of legal proceedings, including jury trials and sentencing hearings.

Circuit Court Judge John Broden, who oversees the court’s magistrates and is responsible for their hiring, commended Donnelly’s extensive 18-year career in law. He highlighted her experience in jury trial litigation, her supervisory capabilities, and her proficiency in both family and criminal law.

As a magistrate judge, Donnelly’s responsibilities will encompass a diverse range of cases, including civil protective orders, felony filings, grand jury proceedings, complex civil litigation, and various domestic relations matters. Her legal education includes graduating from Marian High School in 2000, followed by a degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2004, and a Juris Doctor from the Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2007.

Donnelly is also noted for her community involvement, specifically her participation in the South Bend Group Violence Intervention Program aimed at reducing gun violence. The press release announcing her appointment recognized her expertise in emerging trends related to the rules of evidence, particularly concerning the admissibility of social media records in court.

In addition to her role with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Donnelly has nearly a decade of experience as a prosecutor at the Cook County, Illinois, state’s attorney’s office, where she managed serious criminal cases, including first-degree murder and drug offenses, and also dealt with juvenile and child protection cases. She has further experience with the Appellate Court of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals, enhancing her qualifications for the magistrate position.

 

 

Source: South Bend Tribune