Cornelius Christopher “CC” Demps was born in Fort Pierce, Florida, in September 1983. His father, Rodney Demps, was a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, a renowned Florida Highwaymen Painter, and an educator at Lincoln Park Academy.
His mother, Shearon Demps, is a certified adoption specialist. Both parents were graduates of Florida A&M University, and Shearon also earned a master's degree from Florida State University.
Raised in an Anglican home, Cornelius was baptized and confirmed at St. Simon the Cyrenian Episcopal Church of Fort Pierce.
As a child, he served as an acolyte and began serving as a lay reader at ten, performing the First and Second Readings of biblical scripture during services. This early religious experience, combined with his family's dedication to education and service, shaped his values and character.
Cornelius attended Fort Pierce Westwood High School, where he was an honor student with a passion for math and science. Encouraged to pursue engineering, he developed strong reading, writing, and public speaking skills through his church and debate team participation.
He was the youngest and first African American student from St. Lucie County to compete at the Harvard National Invitational Debate Tournament at 14.
Although he aspired to attend the United States Naval Academy, Cornelius chose Florida State University, graduating with honors. He received numerous scholarships, including the Florida Bright Futures program and the FSU Foundation.
At FSU, he was active in the Mock Trial program, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, and served as a legislative intern in the Florida House of Representatives. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering.
Cornelius pursued his legal education at Barry University School of Law before transferring to Stetson University. At Stetson, he earned a certificate in Advocacy, focusing on corporate and business law, and competed in the Stetson Law Trial Team, winning Best Advocate awards nationally.
He received the Victor O. Whele Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy and was inducted into the National Order of the Barristers.
After briefly serving as a law clerk in Tampa, Cornelius became an Assistant State Attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, prosecuting serious felonies including drug trafficking, sexual battery, home invasion, robbery, and murder. He also served as a special prosecutor in a high-profile video voyeurism case, securing a conviction recognized by the Tampa Bay Times.
Cornelius then worked as an appellate prosecutor at the Florida Office of the Attorney General, handling over 200 appellate briefs and conducting more than twenty-six oral arguments on significant legal matters. He was listed among Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite Government Attorneys in 2018.
Cornelius later served as a corporate litigator for prestigious Tampa Bay law firms, representing small businesses and Fortune 500 companies in commercial litigation, including contract disputes and employment litigation. In March 2020, he founded The Demps Law Firm, PLLC, focusing on appellate practice, personal injury, and business law.
He gained recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for a significant legal victory in CARES Act litigation and has been listed among Florida Super Lawyer's Rising Stars and Best Lawyers in America.
Cornelius serves as President of the George Edgecomb Bar Association (GEBA) in Tampa, where he has led fundraising efforts for breast cancer research, provided free wills for homeowners, and awarded scholarships. He has also been involved with the Clearwater Bar Association, the St.
Petersburg Bar Association, and the West Pasco Bar Association.
Cornelius Demps is known for his integrity, commitment to community service, and dedication to family and God. His legal career and personal life reflect his values of fairness and justice.
He believes judges should apply the law impartially, ensuring everyone plays by the rules, echoing the philosophy of Chief Justice John Roberts. Cornelius Demps stands as a candidate for Circuit Court Judge, bringing a wealth of experience, a strong sense of service, and a commitment to justice.