Hon. Theodora C. Komninos is a judge for the Pinellas County Court in the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida. She was elected to the bench on August 30, 2016.
She received an A.A. from St. Petersburg College (1996) and a B.B.A. from the University of South Florida (1998). Komninos went on to complete a J.D. at St. Thomas University College of Law (2001) and an LL.M. in criminal law from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law (2002). As a law student, she was senior articles editor of the St. Thomas Law Review and president of the college's chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Komninos also interned for a local defense attorney in Miami and served as a certified legal intern for the Legal Aid Society of Miami, where she represented victims of domestic violence in court.
After graduating from law school, Komninos began her legal career as an assistant state attorney with the Office of the State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County. Her assignments included the Domestic Violence Unit, where she was named a supervisor in 2007. Komninos also served as lead trial attorney, tasked with serving as the sole prosecutor for Indirect Criminal Contempt cases, including failure to pay alimony or child support as well as violations of court orders. Her expertise in dealing with domestic violence cases led her to train law enforcement personnel and 911 operators on the subject, and she also lectured on domestic violence to various community organizations, agencies, colleges, a youth ranch, and a local hospital. Komninos remained with the office until her election to the bench.
Her memberships have included the Barney Masterson American Inn of Court, the St. Petersburg Bar Association, the Clearwater Bar Association, and the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (Pinellas County chapter). From a civic standpoint, she has been active with the Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force (chair) and the Fatality Review Team, a subcommittee of the Task Force. She was also involved with the Seminole Lake Rotary Club and is a member of St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church in St. Petersburg, where she has served as president of the Parish Council.
Komninos is a first-generation Greek-American. She was born in Somerville, New Jersey, and her family moved to Pinellas County when she was an infant. Growing up, Komninos worked in her father’s restaurants while also attending Dixie Hollins High School. She and her husband, Spiro, a fellow attorney, have one daughter.
