C. Knox Withers

Partner

Direct: 404.873.8129
Atlanta
171 17th Street NW
Suite 2100
Atlanta, Georgia 30363

Biography

Knox is a partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Real Estate practices and co-chair of the Retail industry and Real Estate Litigation teams. He is also a member of the Office and Industrial & Warehouse/Distribution industry teams. He diligently safeguards the interests of commercial landlords, tenants, owners, property managers, developers, and financial institutions, ensuring the protection of their business assets. He resolves complex business and real estate disputes through both traditional litigation and alternative dispute resolution methods. Knox achieves business-minded solutions in connection with lease disputes, dispossessory and distraint proceedings, contract litigation, and land use cases for his clients. Additionally, he handles loan default matters, promissory note and guaranty disputes, and creditors’ rights litigation seeking to collect from account debtors. Beyond real estate, Knox possesses diverse experience in representing clients across various business litigation settings, and post-judgment collection matters.

Knox is committed to providing superior client service and delivering successful, cost-effective results. He dedicates significant time to the firm’s pro bono efforts, serving as co-chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and having participated in the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation’s Domestic Violence, Saturday Lawyers, and Standing With Our Neighbors Programs. He has also served as the firm’s hiring partner.

Knox also has varied interests outside the practice of law. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Tracy; two daughters, Frances and Catherine; and various pets. Additionally, as a connoisseur of grilling and a proficient do-it-yourself enthusiast, Knox enjoys immersing himself in tending to his yard, crafting culinary delights on his grill, and engaging in home improvement projects during weekends. Frequently, he shares glimpses of his grilling expertise and DIY endeavors on social media platforms. Notably, he is also an ardent Georgia Bulldogs fan.

Related Services

Related Industries

Experience

Retail Litigation
  • Represented owner of commercial retail development in connection with landlord-tenant dispute and related bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of commercial landlord against municipal water authority concerning billing irregularities.
  • Represents national commercial landlord in disputes with commercial retail tenants concerning issues of possession, rent, and contractual obligations.
  • Represented high-end retail shopping center in dispute with former tenant regarding validity of former tenant’s exercise of gross sales termination provision.
  • Represents commercial retail property management companies in disputes with tenants.
  • Successfully obtained summary judgment for rent and possession against delinquent tenant.
  • Successfully obtained $1 million+ judgment for accelerated rent after national restaurant’s improper abandonment of premises.
    Industrial/Warehouse Litigation
    • Represents commercial industrial landlord in multi-unit dispute with industrial tenant.
    • Represented commercial property owner against purchaser in connection with dispute concerning sale of industrial property.
    • Counsel to industrial warehouse owner in dispute with former tenant over improper holdover tenancy and related damages.
    • Counsel to industrial warehouse landlord in litigation and bankruptcy proceedings.
    • Represented commercial landowner in dispute with neighboring property owner concerning easement issues and interference with property rights claims.
    • Represented industrial property owner in lawsuit with tenant regarding contract dispute; successfully mediated case to resolution before trial.
    • Served as counsel to food service logistics company and obtained summary judgment as to all claims asserted against client in action by warehouse landlord.
    • Represented Georgia-based technology manufacturing company in successfully resolving contract dispute against former customer, including recovery of attorney’s fees.
    • Represented Georgia-based technology manufacturing company in resolving contract dispute through arbitration.
    • Represented provider of wireless telecommunications service in connection with cell site permit litigation.
    • Served as litigation counsel to manufacturer of industrial storage products.
    • Represented cold storage logistics company in connection with numerous lease and storage agreement disputes.
      Office Litigation
      • Served as counsel to provider of co-working office space in connection with numerous litigation matters.
      • Counsel to commercial office space landlord in connection with dispute with tenant concerning condition of premises upon surrender.
      • Represented commercial piping supplier in lease dispute with landlord.
      • Represented commercial office landlord in securing possession of premises and judgment for past due amounts owed under lease.
        General Business Litigation
        • Successfully obtained $6 million+ judgment for commercial lender following guarantor loan default.
        • Successfully represented homeowners in jury trial regarding water runoff dispute and obtained injunctive relief for remediation.
        • Obtained summary judgment in favor of senior living facility in defense against claims of slander and tortious interference.
        • Counsel to fringe benefit funds in commercial litigation.
        • Represented Georgia wholesale alcohol distributor in litigation and administrative proceedings concerning distribution territory dispute.
        • Represented non-party officers and directors in connection with business partnership dispute.
        • Represented State of Georgia instrumentality in connection with coastal water well construction litigation.
        • Represented international hunting club in dispute with former member concerning contract dispute and Georgia Fair Business Practices Act. Successfully obtained summary judgment in trial court; judgment affirmed on appeal. Wright v. Safari Club Int’l, Inc., 322 Ga. App. 486 (2013).
        • Successfully represented Georgia-based food importer in connection with Argentinean litigation.
        • Represented Georgia-based biological medical device company in complex contract-based litigation concerning global distribution agreement. Successfully resolved case favorably to client prior to trial.
        • Represented Georgia-based international furniture retail consulting firm in breach of contract lawsuit against former employee. Successfully resolved case favorably to client prior to trial.
        • Served as litigation counsel to Georgia-based pawn company in variety of litigation matters.
        • Obtained summary judgment in favor of local television news affiliate in connection with defamation lawsuit.
        • Defended local community bank in federal court action against claims for breach of contract and violation of Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) Act. Prevailed on motion to dismiss.
        • Represented Georgia electric power supply cooperative in connection with nuclear power plant construction dispute.
        • Represented German machinery manufacturer in federal court products liability and personal injury lawsuit. Successfully resolved case favorably to client prior to trial.
        • Represented background screening company in defense of Fair Credit Reporting Act class action lawsuits.
        • Represented local housing authority in multiple tenant disputes including claims for wrongful eviction.
        • Successfully defended financial institution before trial court and Georgia Court of Appeals in lawsuit alleging wrongful foreclosure and wrongful eviction.
        • Successfully represented asset-based lender in lawsuits against loan guarantor and commercial account debtor.
        • Represents numerous clients, including medical facilities, logistics companies, property owners, property managers, and developers in landlord-tenant disputes and real estate litigation.
        • Counsel to numerous clients in post-judgment collection matters, including garnishment proceedings.
          Client Successes

          Credentials

          Education
          • University of Georgia School of Law, Juris Doctor,
            cum laude
            • Journal of Intellectual Property Law, Managing Editor, 2005
            • Student Bar Association, President, 2004-05
          • University of Georgia, Bachelor of Business Administration - International Business,
            summa cum laude
          Admissions
          • State of Georgia – 2005
          Court Admissions
          • United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia – 2013
          • United States Supreme Court – 2012
          • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit – 2008
          • Georgia Court of Appeals – 2006
          • Supreme Court of Georgia – 2006
          • United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia – 2006
          Associations
            • Marist Alumni Lawyers Association, Co-Founder, 2014
            • Marist School Alumni Association, President, 2011-13
            • State Bar of Georgia
              • Transition Into Law Practice Program, Mentor
              • Young Lawyers Division, Litigation Committee Co-Chair, 2012-13; District Representative, 2011-12; Litigation Committee War Stories Speaker Series Subcommittee Chair 2010-11; Leadership Academy, 2010
            • American Bar Association
            • Cobb County Bar Association
            • Henry Joseph Lumpkin Inn of Court, 2009-11
            • Lawyers Club of Atlanta
            • International Council of Shopping Centers
            • Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
              • Domestic Violence Program
              • Saturday Lawyers Program
              • Standing With Our Neighbors Program
            • Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, Law School Orientation Professionalism Volunteer
            • University of Georgia School of Law, 1L Professional Mentor

          Recognition

          • Rising Star Award, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, 2023
          • “Rising Star,” Georgia Super Lawyers, 2012-17
          • Father Hartnett Service Award, Marist School, 2015
          • Breaking the Cycle Award, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, 2010

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