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Named “Female Business Leader of the Year” by the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, Sandra L. Knapp is chair of the Business Department at Gawthrop Greenwood and 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. 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.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 17 East Gay Street, Suite 100
    West Chester, PA 19381
Education
  • Villanova University, JD, graduated 1986
  • Lehigh University, BS Finance, BA International Studies, graduated 1981
Bar Admissions
  • Pennsylvania, 1986
  • New Jersey, 1987
Affiliations
  • Chester County Bar Association - Member
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States - Member; past board member and past Chair of Marine Finance Committee
  • YMCA of Greater Brandywine - Member, Board of Directors
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2007
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1986
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1986

Gawthrop Greenwood, PC
Headquarters: West Chester, Pennsylvania

9 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

2 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Admiralty and Maritime Law
Awards:
  • Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry Female Business Leader of the Year 2022
  • Main Line Today Top Lawyers 2014 - 2023
  • Daily Local News Top Lawyers 2021 - 2023
  • Who's Who of Shipping and Maritime Lawyers
  • March of Dimes - Chester County Woman of Achievement, Business Award 2019
  • Brava! Women Business Achievement Award 2012
  • SmartCEO Magazine 2011 Legal Elite
  • Women's International Trade Association - Woman of the Year Award
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
  • Transportation Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law

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Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry Announces Sandy Knapp as 2022 Female Business Leader of the Year


Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry Announces Sandy Knapp as 2022 Female Business Leader of the Year

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Sandra L.

Knapp

What’s New with Offshore Wind Farms and Coastwise Trade Laws in the U.S.


Offshore wind farm projects along the East Coast have been dominating the news with headlines covering everything from wildlife, to economic development, politics and clean energy. But what do these projects entail in terms of logistics, foreign vessels, U.S. coastwise vessels, crewing and maintenance?

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Sandra L.

Knapp

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