Donald Knickmeyer

When I came to the Law Offices of Shana Thompson, I was exhausted and overwhelmed. My case involved a domestic violence protection order (DVPO) and complex family law matters, and despite having hired two previous attorneys, I had yet to feel truly supported or understood. That all changed the moment... I met Donald Knickmeyer. From our very first consultation, it was evident that Donald is not only a skilled attorney but also someone who genuinely cares about his clients. He immediately grasped the complexities of my case, diving into every detail and providing a level of clarity and strategic insight I had been missing. Donald’s approach was calm, logical, and thorough—he never rushed, instead working methodically to ensure that no aspect of my case was overlooked. His expertise in family law was apparent from day one, giving me confidence that I was finally in capable hands. One of Donald's standout strengths was his deep understanding of the complex strategies often employed by the opposing party in cases of domestic abuse. He was highly knowledgeable in recognizing patterns and tactics used to manipulate or distort the narrative, and he stayed a step ahead by anticipating each move. His insight into these dynamics not only protected me from unexpected setbacks but also empowered me with the knowledge to understand what was happening at every turn. I could finally see a path forward, knowing that my case was being handled with the highest level of care and expertise. Throughout our time working together, Donald was consistently professional, ethical, and compassionate. His in-depth knowledge of family law, paired with his dedication to his clients, meant that I always felt supported, even during the most challenging moments. Whenever I reached out, he responded quickly, often with clear, detailed answers that made even the most complex legal issues feel manageable. I never once felt left in the dark—Donald kept me informed, calm, and assured at every step. One of the most invaluable aspects of working with Donald was his empathy. Family law cases, especially those involving domestic violence, can be incredibly taxing, and emotions often run high. Donald understood the emotional toll this took on me, frequently checking in not only to update me on the case but also to genuinely ask how I was holding up. His compassion turned what could have been an isolating and overwhelming experience into one where I felt seen, supported, and reassured. It was a profound relief to know I had someone by my side who truly understood both the legal and emotional aspects of what I was going through. Given the tough circumstances, Donald’s expertise and dedication ultimately led us to the best possible outcome. In a situation that often felt stacked against me, Donald’s unwavering commitment gave me the peace of mind I so desperately needed, allowing me to approach my case with confidence, knowing I had a true advocate guiding me each step of the way. He achieved what many would have thought impossible given the complexity of my case, bringing resolution and relief that I never thought possible. Donald has a rare ability to balance meticulous legal strategy with genuine care. He stood by my side throughout the entire process, equipping me with the knowledge and strength I needed to stand strong. His steady, logical approach gave me the assurance I needed, while his empathy made me feel supported in a way I hadn’t thought possible. I feel incredibly grateful to have worked with him; he is not only a remarkable attorney but also a deeply compassionate individual who changed my life for the better.

I ended up working with Donald for far longer than I had expected. My case was very complicated; my ex-husband pulled some extreme measures that sent me into 18 months of torture. He took my child, accused me of abuse, neglect and sexual assault against my child. I had to go through three CPS investi...gations, a Domestic Violence Assessment, over a dozen Emergency Hearings and Court Dates over Zoom. Everything I am as a person was tested, and Donald stuck with me through all of it. He was gracious, patient and kind. When he was surprised by a ruling and strongly disagreed with a verdict, he immediately challenged it. The firm even did me the amazing favor of writing and filing a free revision after a particularly egregious ruling that finally reinstated 50/50 custody with my daughter. Donald and Shana worked with me through it all, and I always felt like I had good people fighting for my daughter and me. Ultimately, I reached a settlement and avoided trial, but I was confident that Donald was on top of his material and would use everything he had learned and tracked over the past 18 months to successfully defend me against my ex-husband and his allegations. I got my daughter back, on my terms, and it would not have been possible without Donald, Shana and their entire team. They were attentive, timely, responsive and kind. I was confident that Donald was always reachable and would answer his personal number or respond to a text as soon as he was able. He was assertive when he needed to be and did not hesitate to tell me the straight truth about our options and potential outcomes. At the same time, he listened to everything I had to say, and included anything in the documentation that I thought was important. I felt like he really cared about the outcome of the case for me and my daughter, and that made all the difference. I would recommend him without hesitation.

Mr Knickmeyer acted as if he knew what he was doing. Really, he gave me the underlining feeling while we were preparing for my case that he didn’t really know what he was doing. Seeing as this was my first time working with a lawyer I did not know what to expect. He has no experience and when we ha...d the trial he had a basic argument compared to that of who he was going up against. He fumbled through his words and then at the end of the day the agreement i had with the firm said that we would recoup any money left on the table that we didn’t use for his time. He and his firm took the whole thing and just sent us a receipt basically that said nothing about how much time I had actually used of Mr Knickmeyer. This felt like I was being used as a test run for Mr Knickmeyer, I would not recommend using him and maybe not even the other lawyer in his firm if this is the level of lawyer they keep around. The top lawyer at the firm left me a message saying they had another attorney available. After we finally completed our transaction it felt like they just took my case and gave me him as my attorney just to make a quick buck.