Denise O'Donnell

Who is Denise O'Donnell?

Denise O'Donnell is the Director of Justice Assistance at the US Department of Justice in the Obama Administration. She is also an attorney and Democratic politician from Buffalo, New York. She most recently served as New York State Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services and Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Criminal Justice in the Cabinet of Gov. David Paterson. She previously held the roles in the Cabinet of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

She was a candidate in the 2006 Democratic primary for New York State Attorney General. O'Donnell attended high school at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, and then studied at Canisius College—both schools are located in Buffalo. Hers was the first graduating class from Canisius to include women. After graduating from college she worked for the New York City Department of Social Services. While doing so, she earned a Masters Degree in Social Work. After the birth of her two children, O'Donnell earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence at the University at Buffalo Law School, graduating second in her class.

In 1985, she became an Assistant United States Attorney.