John Elias

• In 1974 John Elias moved to Pinellas County from Pittsburgh, PA, where he had most recently been a federal prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice  in Pittsburgh, PA, where he focused on organized crime and racketeering. 

Born in Bellevue, Ohio, Elias earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1965.   After graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army but deferred his assignment for three years in order to attend law school.   John Elias studied law at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, graduating in 1968. Upon finishing law school, Elias entered the Army as a Captain, serving in Seoul, South Korea, for 26 months. 

Over the years as a Seminole area resident, John provided legal input and opinions to six mayors, scores of city councilors and to a city manager, on behalf of the citizens of Seminole. The issues he reviewed, the research he did, and the advice he gave, all helped to impact the Seminole we are today.

For about 13 years, John worked for the Law Firm of Greene, Mann, Rowe, Stanton & Mastry.  When the firm split up in 1980, he decided to start his own practice. He established his own firm in Clearwater that same year. 

• In 1981 John Elias was named Seminole’s city attorney

• He’s also served as city attorney for the Town of Belleair Shores

• He is a special master for the city of St. Petersburg Beach.

• He is a certified mediator in the Circuit Court of Pinellas County and the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

• He’s also been a Florida board-certified trial attorney for more than past 30 years.

As a resident of Seminole, John has been active in the community as a member and volunteer with:

• Past president of the Seminole Rotary Club

• Member of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.