Judge Della C. Cope: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Della C. Cope is a judge for the Pinellas County Court in Florida. She was elected to the bench on November 8, 2022.

Prior to her election, Cope was an attorney in private practice, handling civil cases for a small law firm. Before that, she spent time as a member of the litigation team for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (2014 to 2019). In that capacity, she defended the agency and its employees against lawsuits, and she handled a variety of matters ranging from forfeiture and procedural issues to disputes over evidence.

Cope earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. She then completed a J.D. at the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, in 2004. She is licensed to practice in Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.

After graduating from law school, Cope began her legal career as an assistant state attorney in the Office of the State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit. She handled hundreds of felony cases, completing seventy jury trials and supervising other attorneys as assistant county court director.

Her election campaign for county judge received endorsements from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober, and the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association.