Partner

Sandra L. Knapp

BIOGRAPHY

Sandra L. Knapp practices in the fields of Business Law, Commercial Transactions, Admiralty/Maritime Law, Real Estate Law, and Banking and Finance. She represents clients in a broad range of transactional and general corporate matters, including asset-based lending transactions, mergers and acquisitions, marine finance and vessel documentation, U.S.-based joint ventures for international companies, real estate, sale-leaseback transactions, construction contracts, leases and charters. She is frequently involved in multimillion-dollar financing and acquisition transactions for companies both nationally and internationally. In addition to financing matters, Sandy advises on maritime transportation regulatory matters, particularly on the coastwise trade of the United States and citizenship requirements. She has practiced in the Philadelphia area for over 30 years, representing clients throughout the United States and abroad.

Sandy is a member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, past Chair of its Marine Finance Committee and formerly a member of its Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Chester County Bar Association and is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Sandy is active in the port community as well as the local Chester County community. She is on the Board of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and a member of the International Business Council of the Chester County Economic Development Council. In 2019, Sandy was named by the March of Dimes as a Chester County Woman of Achievement in Business.

Since joining the firm, Sandy has served two, three-year terms as chair of the Gawthrop Greenwood Management Committee. Prior to joining Gawthrop Greenwood, she was the managing partner of Knapp McConomy Merlie LLP.

CREDENTIALS

COURT ADMISSIONS

Pennsylvania, 1986
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of PA, 1986
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1986
New Jersey, 1987
U.S. Supreme Court, 2007

EDUCATION

Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pennsylvania, J.D., 1986
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, B.S. Finance with High Honors and B.A. International Studies with High Honors, 1981

MEMBERSHIPS & SERVICE

Maritime Law Association of the United States
Maritime Law Association, former board member and past chair of Marine Finance Committee
Chester County Bar Association
YMCA of Greater Brandywine, board member
Chester County Economic Development Council, Global Business Advisor

ADDITIONAL DISTINCTIONS

Who’s Who of Shipping and Maritime Lawyers
March of Dimes – Chester County Woman of Achievement, Business Award 2019
Top Lawyers, Main Line Today, 2014-2020
Brava! Women Business Achievement Award 2012
Smart CEO Magazine “2011 Legal Elite”
Women’s International Trade Association – Woman of the Year Award

NEWS & INSIGHTS

New Ruling on Wind Farms and Coastwise Trade Laws in the U.S.

On January 27, 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office issued a letter ruling regarding several scenarios related to wind farms and the coastwise trade laws of the United States. It is the first decision...

The Legal Intelligencer: Gawthrop’s Youngest-Ever Chairman Aims to Expand Firm’s Presence Both Virtually and IRL

In a one-on-one interview with The Legal Intelligencer, Gawthrop Greenwood's new chair of the management committee, Patrick McKenna, describes the ways in which former chair Sandy Knapp has kept the…

Gawthrop Greenwood Elects Youngest Leader In Law Firm’s 117-Year History

Gawthrop Greenwood, PC is announcing that attorney and shareholder Patrick M. McKenna has been elected chair of the firm’s management committee. At 45 years old, McKenna is the youngest chair…

Pitching in During the Pandemic at YMCA of Greater Brandywine

This week Gawthrop Greenwood donated, sorted and packed food items for neighbors who are struggling to put food on their tables during the pandemic. Attorney Sandra L. Knapp, who is on…

Coronavirus and Business Contracts: What’s the Law?

By Gordon W. Prince, Esq. With the unprecedented disruption to business caused by coronavirus, business leaders from the C-suite to the mom-and-pop shop are wondering: How will this affect my…

PRACTICE AREAS