Biography

09/25/1943 -

O’DONNELL, Robert W., a Representative from Philadelphia County; born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pa., September 25, 1943; B.A., Temple University, 1966; J.D., Temple University Law School, 1969; attended LaSalle College, New York University Law School, and the Hague Academy of International Law, Netherlands; elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by Special Election, May 21, 1974 to serve the remaining 1973 term; Sworn-In, June 10, 1974 and was reelected for 10 consecutive terms thereafter; elected, Minority Caucus Chair (1981-1982); elected, Majority Whip (1983-1988); elected, Majority Leader (1989-January 23, 1990); elected, Speaker (January 23, 1990-1992); appointed, Pennsylvania MILRITE Council (1981-1982); appointed, Joint State Government Commission (1981-1992); appointed, chair, Select Committee to Investigate the Problem of Teenage Pregnancies and Parenting in Pennsylvania (1986); Pennsylvania State Chair, Clinton/Gore Presidential Campaign (1992); president, Pennsylvania Electoral College (1992); resigned from the House, December 31, 1993; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania Governor (1994); counsel, Saul Ewing, Philadelphia; counsel, Thorp, Reed and Armstrong, LLP, Pittsburgh; partner, O’Donnell Associates (1995-present); member, Public Finance Practice Group; instructor, state and local government law, Drexel University School of Law; interim debt coordinator for Linda Thompson, mayor of Harrisburg (2011).