ASHLAND — Ashland County’s top civil attorney received a promotion Tuesday when he was hired as the office’s first assistant prosecutor, a position that has gone unfilled since 2016.
The promotion names Michael Donatini as the Ashland County First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. The new role means Donatini, who first came to the office in 2008, will be responsible for more administrative duties.
Tunnell has experienced a heavier workload since recent staff changes. For example, Tunnell has handled the office’s felony docket since Victor Perez’s departure in early June.
To be clear, Donatini’s promotion does not fill Perez’s vacancy. Tunnell said the search for another assistant prosecutor is ongoing.
“The first assistant is like the executive officer on a ship. He is in charge when I am unavailable,” Tunnell said in a press release issued Tuesday afternoon. “The position carries administrative functions and works closely with our partner agencies to set policy and carry out the overall mission of the office.”
Tunnell said the first assistant prosecutor position has not been filled since 2016, when Gary Bishop left the job when he got elected as Richland County Prosecutor.
Bishop had filled the role in Ashland since December 2015. Before that, the office hadn’t had a first assistant prosecutor for about nine years, according to a Times-Gazette article at the time.
Donatini, whom Tunnell described as “irreplaceable” in his capacity as a civil attorney, currently advises 15 townships on a wide variety of legal issues including contracts, real estate, zoning, employment and tax levies.
Donatini worked as a staff attorney for Ohio’s Ninth District Court of Appeals upon graduating from the University of Akron School of Law in 2006, according to the prosecutor’s website.
Before law school, Donatini graduated from Ashland University in 2003. He lives in Ashland with his wife and two daughters.
“We have a great team at the office, I’m always happy to serve the community where I grew up,” Donatini said. “I have respect for what (Tunnell) has done during his time here so far. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve the office. Whatever Chris calls me to do.”
“Michael Donatini is a good man and a good attorney,” Tunnell said. “He has my absolute trust and confidence.”
