Faces of KNOW: Jessica Costello

Get to KNOW Jessica Costello

Jessica Costello is the FIRST Woman of Color to be appointed to the bench in Hillsborough County in 20 years and a KNOW Tampa Featuree.

Fierce advocate. Solutions oriented leader. Passionate about making our community stronger and safer. 

Jessica Costello has dedicated her career to public service and advocating for victims’ rights. As an Assistant Statewide Prosecutor, she leads local, state and federal law enforcement teams in the investigation and prosecution of organized crime, with a focus on gangs, counter-terrorism and human trafficking. Her work is guided by using a smart-on-crime approach.  

In the community, Ms. Costello gives back by serving as a mentor and working with at-risk youth. 

Named Florida’s Gang Prosecutor of the Year, a YWCA ‘Woman of Color Leading Change’, and to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s ‘Up and Comers’ Hall of Fame, she considers becoming a mother at the end of 2017 as her greatest accomplishment. It has only intensified her drive to help make our community a vibrant and safe place for all Floridians.

Jessica was recently honored as the University of South Florida Health Professions ‘Profile in Courage’ recipient.

We asked Jessica to share FIVE fun facts in order to get to KNOW her better:

1. I am named after my Great GrandFATHER (Jesse). First lawyer (and judge) in my family.
2. I LOVE the TV show Jeopardy
3. Favorite pastime is cooking (and baking) southern food.
4. One of my bucket list goals is to visit every US National Park (with my husband).
5. It is the greatest honor of my life to serve the community as a judge. Passionate about speaking to students in our county about my path to the bench and inspiring them to reach their goals.

To connect with Jessica, find her:

• Speaking at a Government Lawyers Summit for the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division at the end of March, on a Professionalism Panel for lawyers in April, and teaching a trial skills seminar in June.

To engage with Jessica, follow her on:

LinkedIn | Twitter

You can also find Jessica in KNOW Tampa Vol. 1 in our Notable Section!