James Knicely

Mr. Knicely received his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and after law school, served as a law clerk to U.S. Circuit Judge Roger Robb the U. S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit and to Justice Harry A. Blackmun of the U.S. Supreme Court. He later served three years in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the U.S. Navy and thereafter worked at Kutak Rock & Huie, Omaha, Nebraska, and Hunton & Williams, Richmond, Virginia. He has practiced in Williamsburg since 1984.

Mr. Knicely is admitted to the Virginia Bar and the Nebraska Bar (inactive) and to the Bars of the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Virginia, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fourth, Sixth, Ninth, Federal and D.C. Circuits; the U.S. Court of Claims and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Knicely’s practice is primarily directed to corporate, business and real estate law, with extensive experience in civil litigation in state and federal court,.  Read more about notables cases in which Mr. Knicely has served as counsel. In addition to litigation experienced, Mr. Knicely has also authored numerous articles on the First Amendment Free Speech, Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses. Read more about publications/presentations.

Mr. Knicely was born and raised in Nebraska and after living in New Zealand as an exchange student, went on to George Washington University where he received his B. A., with distinction, after serving as Student Body President and election to Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa.

Mr. Knicely is active in his church and serves, or has served in the past, as an officer and/or director of The Rutherford Institute, International Nepal Fellowship (North America), Housing Partnerships, Inc.; Housing Partnerships Funding Group, Inc., the Virginia Peninsula Swimming Union, and the James City Rotary Club. Mr. Knicely was also a certified USA Swimming Referee, Starter, and Stroke and Turn Judge, and served on the Officials Committee of Virginia Swimming, Inc.

Mr. Knicely and his wife, Leslie, have four grown children and eight grandchildren.