Profile
Taylor English provides the support and resources to allow me to represent the firm’s clients at the highest level to achieve client objectives.
Charles McKnight is a veteran litigator who aggressively represents plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of business disputes and other litigation, including arbitration and mediation. He has successfully represented Fortune 500 companies (including leading insurance, financial services and oil and gas companies), international companies (including clients based in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Korea, Switzerland and Peru), smaller and medium–sized United States businesses, and individuals in breach of contract, fraud, real property, business tort, insurance coverage, condemnation, joint venture, construction, license agreement, and asset purchase disputes among other things. Mr. McKnight has successfully defended numerous class actions, and his practice has included the representation of clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout the country. He also has successfully litigated international arbitration matters to conclusion.
Mr. McKnight works closely with in-house counsel and business executives to achieve their goals. Although his practice is concentrated on litigation, he is also called upon to counsel clients in the drafting and construction of complex commercial agreements.
Prior to joining Taylor English, Mr. McKnight practiced at a corporate law firm based in Atlanta, and before that was a member of the Business Litigation Team at an international corporate law firm for 17 years, the last 10 years as a partner. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Richard C. Freeman, United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Georgia.
Mr. McKnight and his wife have three children and have lived in Atlanta more than 30 years.
Memberships
Atlanta International Arbitration Society
Diversity Law Institute
Trial Law Institute
Community Involvement
American Diabetes Association, Board Member
ChristChurch Presbyterian, Elder
Cystic Fibrosis foundation, Atlanta Chapter, Board Chairman
Georgia Justice Project, Board Member
Practice Highlights
Experience
Lead counsel to manufacturer in connection with two carriers (primary and excess) in connection with coverage for asbestos claims. In October 2018, the Georgia Court of Appeals issued a sweeping ruling that requires two insurance companies to fulfill their obligations to make available $117 million in coverage to a fabric manufacturer defending ongoing personal injury litigation resulting from exposure to asbestos that its products contained years ago, which ...
Represents citizens in numerous judicial challenges to an attempt by Paulding County and outside investor groups to expand the Paulding County Airport to include commercial passenger service in competition with Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport. Lawsuits include challenges to funding of the airport, open meeting violations, violations of Federal Aviation Administration procedures (representation as co-counsel), injunction hearings and Georgia ...
Represented international oil company in substantial condemnation dispute. Achieved multimillion-dollar settlement over 10 times higher than state’s initial offer.
Represented national insurance company in putative nationwide class action alleging overcharge of insurance premiums. Class certification denied and case dismissed.
Lead counsel for United States manufacturer in international arbitration tried to verdict in New York under foreign law. Favorable verdict for client with arbitrator fees assessed against adverse party.
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Education
Vanderbilt University School of Law, JD, 1985
- Order of the Coif
- Student Writing Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
Emory University, BA, 1982
Clerkships
Hon. Richard C. Freeman, United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Georgia
Bar Admissions
Georgia
Courts & Adjudicative Bodies
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
Supreme Court of Georgia
Court of Appeals of Georgia
Accolades
The Best Lawyers in America®, 2021
Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America