Today we’d like to introduce you to Melinda Knowles.
Hi Melinda , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My passion for the law was sparked in high school, during a time when my family faced a challenging civil legal dispute. Our neighbor’s construction project had elevated their property, causing repeated flooding on ours. I watched my parents struggle to navigate the legal system, desperately seeking representation to protect our home and rights. It was frustrating to witness how easily someone could disrupt our lives without accountability, and how difficult it was for ordinary people to find justice. The emotional toll on my mother was especially profound, and it left a lasting impression on me. That experience ignited a deep desire to become a lawyer, someone who could stand up for those who are overlooked, unheard, and unfairly treated.
After graduating from high school, I attended Coastal Carolina University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. I then relocated to Michigan to pursue my legal education and complete law school. Following graduation, I began my legal career as an Assistant Public Defender at the Horry County Public Defender’s Office, where I served for nearly eight years. During that time, I gained extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in criminal defense, which laid a strong foundation for the next step in my career.
In 2014, I opened my own legal practice, focusing primarily on criminal law, with a secondary emphasis on family law. I take great pride in helping clients navigate some of the most difficult times in their lives. While the work can be demanding and the pressure intense, the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life—whether by guiding them through a legal challenge or helping them build a better future—is what makes this profession truly fulfilling. I also value the relationships I’ve built along the way and enjoy meeting new people, forming lasting connections, and serving my community with integrity and compassion.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Fear of judgment. Fear of failure. Fear of overpromising and underdelivering. Fear of making a situation worse instead of better. Fear of financial instability—of not being able to keep my business running. These fears have never gone away. They’re always there, lingering in the background. But over time, I’ve learned how to face them—not by eliminating them, but by managing them in healthier, more productive ways.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since starting my own practice is the importance of compartmentalization. Before becoming a business owner, I carried everything with me. I took every case home—mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically. I felt everything deeply, and I struggled to draw boundaries between work and life. That way of living quickly led to burnout, and I knew that if I wanted longevity—not just in my career, but in my personal life—I had to make a change.
So, when I opened the doors to my own firm, I made a promise to myself: I would leave work at work (barring trial prep, of course). That one decision significantly improved not only my own well-being, but also the quality of life for my family. Life has enough challenges of its own—there’s no reason to let professional stress compound personal ones. I’m still figuring out the right balance between work and life, but I can confidently say I’m much closer to finding it now than I was five or ten years ago.
Time is one of the most precious things we have. Most people, when looking back at the end, wish for more of it—especially with the people they love. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a mother, and when that dream became a reality nine years ago, everything shifted. I made a quiet vow to my son that I would do everything in my power to be the best mother I could be. I know I’m not perfect, and I’m sure there are others who do it better—but what matters most is that I try. I try hard. He is my greatest joy, my most important priority, and my proudest accomplishment.
I never want him to question where he stands in my life. I want him to know—with certainty—that my work will always come second to him. My first priority is my faith and sharing that faith with him, because while this life is fleeting, eternity isn’t. And my greatest hope is that we will walk that eternal journey together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Law Office of Melinda Knowles?
My firm is small, but mighty. It is filled with compassion, understanding, and determination. Getting the right outcome for a client is our goal, no matter how steep the climb to get to that goal. Everyone makes mistakes and mistakes don’t define a person. I firmly believe that mistakes have the power to better a person, to transform them into a newer, brighter version of their former selves. Our society today is too focused on perfection…we hear daily about how we can achieve the perfect body, we see perfect families on social media, we aim for the biggest house on the block, and want to drive the most expensive cars. The standard and expectations placed by society are unachievable and daunting and yet most of us strive for one or all of those things. Because of that, it should be no surprise that stress levels are higher, anxiety is more common, and depression diagnoses and suicide rates have skyrocketed. People struggle with handling the pressure that goes along with this idea of perfection and so they turn to substances to escape. Those escapes often lead to poor judgment and mistakes which is when I come in to offer help, guidance, and support as they deal with the consequences of their poor judgment and mistakes.
What’s next?
My goal for the future is simple: to continue growing my practice and serving my community. One day, I hope to own a building of my own—not something grand or extravagant, just a space that reflects the heart of my work and can one day be passed down to my son.
I want to keep showing up for those who feel lost, overwhelmed, or hopeless. I want to continue being a voice for the accused, ensuring their side of the story is heard before any judgment is made. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity—and as long as I’m practicing law, that will remain at the core of what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melindaknowleslaw.com
