Venessa Bornost
Venessa Bornost is a seasoned Florida attorney whose career has uniquely spanned every side of the criminal justice system, from law enforcement and prosecution to private criminal defense practice. A graduate of Florida State University with a degree in criminology, she began her professional journey with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, where she quickly distinguished herself as a deputy sheriff, narcotics detective, and one of the first female members of the department’s SWAT team. Her years working undercover narcotics and high-risk operations provided her with firsthand insight into the realities of criminal investigations, drug enforcement, and courtroom procedure, shaping the foundation of her future legal career.
Driven by a desire to make a greater impact within the justice system, Venessa pursued her law degree at Nova Southeastern School of Law while continuing to work in law enforcement. After earning her Juris Doctor and being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2006, she transitioned into prosecution as an Assistant State Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County. In that role, she handled a broad range of criminal matters including DUI offenses, domestic violence cases, drug crimes, misdemeanors, and felony prosecutions. Her experience conducting jury trials, motion hearings, and courtroom litigation gave her an in-depth understanding of how prosecutors build cases and how the criminal justice system operates from the inside.
In 2008, Venessa founded her own practice, Venessa Bornost, P.A., where she has spent nearly two decades advocating for clients in criminal defense, family law, and eviction matters throughout the Tampa Bay area. As a solo practitioner, she manages every aspect of her firm while maintaining a strong commitment to accessible, honest, and effective legal representation. Her uncommon background as a former deputy sheriff, SWAT officer, prosecutor, and defense attorney allows her to provide clients with strategic insight few attorneys can offer. Passionate about the ever-evolving nature of the law, Venessa continues to dedicate her career to protecting the rights of individuals and helping clients navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
• Licensed Attorney
• Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy graduate
• Specialized narcotics investigation training
• SWAT training and tactical certifications
• Extensive courtroom litigation and trial experience
• Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law - J.D., Law
• Florida State University - B.S., Criminology
• Florida Bar Association
• Former board member of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce (approximately 5 years
• Until 2020)
What do you attribute your success to?
Every path that I've taken has brought me to the point I'm at right now. Starting with boots on the ground as law enforcement gave me the skill set to deal with the public in high-stress situations and understand statutes and how to apply the law. Then, as a prosecutor, I learned how to work up cases and make sure the cases I was prosecuting were solid. Now, as a defense attorney, I get to dig in and investigate and make sure that the system is working - that law enforcement is doing what they're supposed to be doing and that prosecution brings cases where they can meet the elements. That introspection and understanding from all three perspectives has definitely helped bring me to where I'm at now.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable lessons throughout Venessa’s career has been the importance of staying prepared, continuing to learn, and never becoming complacent in a constantly evolving field. She emphasized that law is always changing, which requires attorneys to stay informed, adaptable, and willing to grow.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think being able to get involved with the community, whether it's pro bono work or working with a nonprofit organization, is great just to be exposed to different types of law there is and maybe what you want to do - whether it's going to be litigation or transactional. I think that the climate we live in with AI and the advancement of technology, those fields seem to be really highlighted as in demand. So if that's your strong point and you're good in math and sciences and want to go to law school, I would encourage you to encompass all of that together, which would certainly make you more marketable. Get involved with an internship and work at a state attorney's office or a private law office. I think that's a great way to really get that hands-on understanding of what the grind is, because it's not always as glamorous as it may look on TV.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is running a business while being able to have enough time to dive into your cases as far as research goes and getting up on the case law - it's a balancing act. On the opportunity side, what makes criminal defense exciting is that it's always evolving. Case law is always changing, and there are always challenges being met, so you have to be on top of that. It's always a learning process, which is nice. I think AI is certainly something to keep on top of, because I think the average potential client may walk through the door with a lot more information than in the past. That's not a bad thing - I think they're just more well-informed, and sometimes that's good because they have a little bit more of an understanding of potentially what the consequences and sanctions may be.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are honesty, living virtuously, discipline, hard work, and respect for everybody and for others. I guess a better word to encompass all of that is integrity. As long as I continue to feel passionate about what I do, I'll continue to work in this capacity. It's what I feel passionate about, so it doesn't really feel like work - and like people say that, but it is true.