Law School: University of Alabama School of Law
Undergraduate: B.A. Degree in Political Science from Jacksonville State University
SUMMARY
Christie grew up in Jacksonville, Alabama, and received her undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University. Graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1997, Christie Knowles is a highly experienced attorney. After serving as a staff attorney for the Honorable William E. Robertson, Presiding Judge, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Montgomery, Alabama, Christie returned to Northeast Alabama and has practiced law in Gadsden, Alabama since 1998. She is a founding partner of Knowles and Sullivan, LLC.
Christie is a member of many legal and professional organizations, including the Alabama State Bar, the Etowah County Bar Association, and the Etowah County Inns of Court. She is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, United States District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama, and Alabama Supreme Court.
Christie has an extensive background in business law ranging from small sole-proprietors to large businesses with hundreds of employees. She considers it an honor to serve on or be the attorney for multiple non-profits and municipalities. Her grit and aggressiveness have served her and her clients well through the years. Her commitment and dedication to providing over the top service to her clients has built her a referral base that continues to grow.
LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND
Business Law
Christie has an extensive background representing business of all types. She works with and advises large corporations, small businesses, family owned enterprises, start-ups and entrepreneurs. Her clients include a broad range of different industries including manufacturing, retail, construction, real estate, service-based industries and everything in between. Business formation, asset or stock sales, business restructuring, succession planning and contracts are all areas in which she has significant experience.
Wills and Estate Planning
Particularly with her business clients, Christie has found that wills and estate planning are an important part of a clients personal legal needs. Christie is very experienced in complex estate planning including trusts, wills, powers of attorney and various estate planning strategies to insure a client’s desires for their estate are carried out in the least burdensome manner.
Non-profit Organizations
Christie provides a full spectrum of services and counsel to nonprofit organizations of every type. From initial organization, to board training and advising and to assisting with obtaining 501(c)(3) status, Christie can advise your non-profit organization through the legal process necessary to achieve its goals.
Civil Litigation
Christie has served as lead litigation counsel in state, federal and administrative courts throughout Alabama and beyond. Knowing you have a business or personal lawyer who knows how to keep you out of court, but who also knows how to fight for you should you end up there, is a skill set Christie provides for her clients.
Appellate Advocacy
Christie has many published opinions from cases in which she was lead counsel in the Alabama Supreme Court and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. Christie has also presented oral argument on several cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Government/Municipal Law
Christie has a broad range of experience representing municipalities, water boards, gas boards, school boards and other statutory governmental entities.
Bar Admissions
Member, Alabama State Bar
Member, Etowah County Bar Association
Admitted, United States Supreme Court; United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; and Alabama Supreme Court
Education and Admissions
Member, Alabama State Bar
Admitted, United States Supreme Court; United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; and Alabama Supreme Court
Alabama School of Law Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Juris Doctor, May 1997
Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society
Managing Editor, Law & Psychology Review
Founding Member, Dorbin Society
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, Alabama
Bachelor of Arts, May 1994
Omicron Delta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Societies
Panhellenic Greek Woman of the Year
Alpha Omicron Pi Sister of the Year
Student Government Association Delegate
Community Involvement
Past President and General Counsel, Gadsden-Etowah Chamber of Commerce
Past President, Gadsden Commercial Development Authority
Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Board of Directors
BBVA/Compass Bank-Gadsden, Board of Directors
Gadsden State Community College Cardinal Foundation, Board of Directors
Alabama Federal Tax Clinic, Board of Directors
Big Oak Ranch, Board of Directors
Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation, Board of Directors and Chairman
Kiwanis Club of Gadsden, Board of Directors
The Barrie Center for Children, Board of Directors
Gadsden Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors
Boys and Girls Club of Etowah County, Board of Directors
Gadsden First Friday Women’s Professional Forum, Member
Greater Gadsden Alpha Omicron Pi Alumnae Association, Member
First United Methodist Church of Gadsden - Member; Teacher; Board of Trustees, Board of Stewards and Lay Leader
Gadsden Country Club, Board of Directors
Westbrook Christian School, Board of Directors
Past President and Campaign Chair, United Way of Etowah County