214.265.7007

Email: jknott@texuslaw.com
Main: 214.265.7007
Direct: 214.265.1227

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Jennifer W. Knott

Of Counsel

Jennifer Knott brings more than two decades of combined legal and business experience to the firm’s litigation practice, beginning at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in 2000. Her work focuses on complex commercial disputes, commercial and residential real estate litigation, condemnation and eminent domain matters, brokerage and construction liability disputes, other property-related controversies and compliance and risk management.

From 2017 to 2025, Jennifer stepped into the business world, helping to launch and scale the direct-to-consumer wine company Scout & Cellar, successfully scaling 100% growth for multiple consecutive years. Serving in various executive roles—including Director of Business Development, Vice President of Field Operations, Chief of Staff and Chief Communications Officer—Jennifer led key growth and operations functions encompassing marketing, field sales, communications, customer experience, and field compliance.

This executive experience gives Jennifer a rare perspective: she understands how to create value for companies – balancing and leveraging risk, simplifying complex business challenges, and leading strategic initiatives – all against the backdrop of practical realities. Drawing on both her legal and operational background, she brings a pragmatic, business-minded approach to advising clients, managing risk, and resolving disputes.

Jennifer is also a licensed Texas real estate agent with Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, further grounding her practice in the practical dynamics of the North Texas real estate market.

Jennifer earned her B.A. in Public Relations, with a minor in Spanish, from Southern Methodist University in 1996, and her J.D., cum laude, from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2000. She returned to the firm in August 2025.

Representative Experience+

Real Estate Litigation:

  • Prosecution of commercial lessee’s claim against landlord related to cap on controllable operating expenses.
  • Summary judgment for commercial lessee against landlord related to unpaid tenant allowance exceeding $1 million.
  • Successful prosecution of commercial subtenant claim stemming from landlord’s failure to provide attornment election upon termination of prime lease.
  • Summary judgment against defaulting lessee by which the court rejected a constructive eviction claim based upon alleged rat infestation.
  • Jury verdict awarding damages to lessee wrongfully denied trade fixtures upon termination of lease.
  • Sat second chair through full pre-trial discovery, motion practice and trial preparation on a federal case regarding a realtor’s breach of fiduciary duty in a 1031 Exchange; ultimately obtained a $1 million jury verdict with a panel of 8 jurors.

Condemnation/Eminent Domain:

  • Sat second chair through all aspects of pre-trial in a case that ultimately obtained a $4.4 million jury verdict in State’s condemnation of frontage of car wash property rendering property non-conforming with code.
  • Successful prosecution of condemnation claims for owner of undeveloped property bisected by electric transmission line.
  • Sat second chair through all aspects of pre-trial in a case that obtained a property owner’s jury verdict against gas pipeline operator for damages to Denton County ranchette from easement condemnation, leading to settlement of companion case.

Construction Liability Litigation:

  • Prosecuted construction defect claim for major hospital related to improper installation of operating booms; settlement included replacement and reinstallation.
  • Represented developer of large apartment complex in construction defect case; resolved case at mediation, adding business value for client.

Commercial Litigation:

  • Final judgment approving receiver-conducted partition sale of Piagio aircraft which had been subject to fractional ownership.
  • Represented mortgage loan special servicer in successful standing challenge in case involving pooled loans sold to them on the distressed market; court ruled that the special servicer didn’t own the loans and could not be sued.
  • Successfully defended action brought in attempt to decertify floodplain map and certification provider under national standards; ultimately obtained ruling that protected certified status.
  • Defeat of injunction request sought by national restaurant franchisor seeking decharacterization of former franchise store theme based on intellectual property claims.

Credentials+
  • SMU Dedman School of Law
    • J.D., May 2000 – Cum Laude
  • Southern Methodist University
    • 1996 – Cum Laude

Practice Areas+
  • Real estate litigation
  • Condemnation/eminent domain
  • Construction liability
  • Complex commercial and business litigation
  • Financial services litigation

Involvement+

Custer Road United Methodist Church Youth Group Sponsor