 
		Jonathan M. Knicely
											Partner
					                    
				
			            			
			
                        Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
                				
				
			 	                    
								
							1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
jonathan.knicely@nelsonmullins.com
			Jonathan concentrates his practice in the areas of complex business litigation and franchise and distribution litigation and counseling.
Jonathan concentrates his practice in the areas of complex business litigation and franchise and distribution litigation and counseling.
 
		Experience
                                            The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
                                            
                                                                                                                                                Experience
- Has worked on numerous matters in the area of automobile franchise litigation, including cases for motor vehicle manufacturers arising from add points, terminations, warranty and incentive payments, and other aspects of the manufacturer-dealer relationship
- Has represented banks in disputes involving commercial lending, bank fraud, correspondent lending relationships, and consumer protection statutes
Previous Professional Experience
- Summer Associate, Nelson Mullins and another Columbia law firm
- Business Litigation Associate for the Firm (2014-2016)
Educational Activities
- University of South Carolina School of Law 
	- Academic Assistance Program Property Tutor
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistant
 
Education
- 
												                                                	University of South Carolina School of Law,                                                
                                                                                                            JD,                                                    
                                                    
                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                        summa cum laude                                                                                                            
                                                                                                            (2014)
                                                    
																											
 - Senior Articles Editor, South Carolina Law Review
- Chief Justice, Order of the Wig and Robe
- Order of the Coif
- Recipient of eight CALI Awards for Excellence
- Recipient of the Dean’s Medallion
 
- University of Virginia, BA, American Studies (2011)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, the Honorable Dennis W. Shedd, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2016 - 2018)
                                                        The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
			                                            
			                                        			                                            			                                                Experience
- Has worked on numerous matters in the area of automobile franchise litigation, including cases for motor vehicle manufacturers arising from add points, terminations, warranty and incentive payments, and other aspects of the manufacturer-dealer relationship
- Has represented banks in disputes involving commercial lending, bank fraud, correspondent lending relationships, and consumer protection statutes
Previous Professional Experience
- Summer Associate, Nelson Mullins and another Columbia law firm
- Business Litigation Associate for the Firm (2014-2016)
Educational Activities
- University of South Carolina School of Law 
	- Academic Assistance Program Property Tutor
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistant
 
Media
Recognitions
                                        The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided.  When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology. 
                                        
                                        
                                - Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch - Commercial Litigation (2021–2026)
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2019)
- Columbia Business Monthly "Legal Elite"
	- Civil Litigation (2024)
 
Jonathan concentrates his practice in the areas of complex business litigation and franchise and distribution litigation and counseling.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Experience
- Has worked on numerous matters in the area of automobile franchise litigation, including cases for motor vehicle manufacturers arising from add points, terminations, warranty and incentive payments, and other aspects of the manufacturer-dealer relationship
- Has represented banks in disputes involving commercial lending, bank fraud, correspondent lending relationships, and consumer protection statutes
Previous Professional Experience
- Summer Associate, Nelson Mullins and another Columbia law firm
- Business Litigation Associate for the Firm (2014-2016)
Educational Activities
- University of South Carolina School of Law 
	- Academic Assistance Program Property Tutor
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistant
 
Education
- 
                                                                                                            University of South Carolina School of Law,                                                    
                                                                                                            JD,                                                    
                                                    
                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                        summa cum laude                                                                                                            
                                                                                                            (2014)
                                                    
																											
 - Senior Articles Editor, South Carolina Law Review
- Chief Justice, Order of the Wig and Robe
- Order of the Coif
- Recipient of eight CALI Awards for Excellence
- Recipient of the Dean’s Medallion
 
- University of Virginia, BA, American Studies (2011)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, The Honorable Dennis W. Shedd, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2016 - 2018)
Practice Areas
                                            The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided.  When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology. 
                                            
                                            
                                    - Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch - Commercial Litigation (2021–2026)
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2019)
- Columbia Business Monthly "Legal Elite"
	- Civil Litigation (2024)
 
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
 
                                            						
						
						
															
                                                        NMRS Attorneys Published in Florida Bar Journal on CCNA Procurements
                                                        
                            
							
					
																	November/December 2025
															
						 
                                            						
						
						
															
                                                        “Prime Equity” and the NIL Era: Shedeur Sanders’ Contract Ushers...
                                                        
                            
							
					
																	September 3, 2025
															
						 
                                            						
						
						
															
                                                        Old North State Report – October 27, 2025
                                                        
                            
							
					
																	October 28, 2025
															
						
 
				 
					
 
					 
                                            						
						
						