Marianna Knister Downer
Marianna Knister Downer

Marianna Knister Downer

Associate

mknister@gamb.com504.679.9824

201 St. Charles Avenue
40th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70170

504.679.9824 | mknister@gamb.com

| vCard | Download Bio

admissions

  • Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of LA
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of LA
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of LA
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit

education

  • Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D./D.C.L., 2019
  • Louisiana State University, B.A., 2012

languages

English

Marianna Knister Downer is a civil litigator and trial attorney representing clients in a wide range of industries including energy & environmental, construction, and administrative law. Her practice at Gordon Arata extends to complex litigation, appeals, civil procedure, commercial litigation, and risk management.

Marianna obtained both her Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. While at the Law Center, Marianna was a Senior Associate on the Journal of Energy Law and Resources, served for two years on the LSU Student Bar Associationand was a recipient of the John P. Laborde Endowed Scholarship. Marianna graduated from the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University in 2012 with her B.A. in Mass Communication with a concentration in Political Communication. Prior to obtaining her law degree, Marianna spent four years in Washington, D.C. working both on and off Capitol Hill with former Senator Mary L. Landrieu.

Outside of work, Marianna is stays involved in both professional and personal community organizations, including serving on the board of the Women’s Energy Network South Louisiana Chapter and the Junior Executive Board for Shuck Cancer. Marianna and her husband, Stephen, reside in New Orleans.

  • Marianna second-chaired a five-day jury trial, successfully representing the her client against personal injury claims, resulting in a favorable 12-0 verdict.

  • Federal Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • New Orleans Bar Association
  • Women’s Energy Network - Southeast Louisiana Chapter Board of Directors - Public & Industry Relations Director (2022–2023) (2023-2024)
  • American Cancer Society's Shuck Cancer – Junior Executive Board Member (2022 - Present), Silent Auction Co-Chair (2022 - Present)
  • Professional Landman's Association of New Orleans – Member (2022 - Present)
  • Boys Hope Girls Hope Garden Gala – Committee Member (2022 - Present)
  • Pro Bono Project’s Justice for All Ball Committee – Committee Member (2020), Silent Auction Chair (2021, 2022)

  • John P. Laborde Endowed Scholarship Recipient

Marianna Knister Downer is a civil litigator and trial attorney representing clients in a wide range of industries including energy & environmental, construction, and administrative law. Her practice at Gordon Arata extends to complex litigation, appeals, civil procedure, commercial litigation, and risk management.

Marianna obtained both her Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. While at the Law Center, Marianna was a Senior Associate on the Journal of Energy Law and Resources, served for two years on the LSU Student Bar Associationand was a recipient of the John P. Laborde Endowed Scholarship. Marianna graduated from the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University in 2012 with her B.A. in Mass Communication with a concentration in Political Communication. Prior to obtaining her law degree, Marianna spent four years in Washington, D.C. working both on and off Capitol Hill with former Senator Mary L. Landrieu.

Outside of work, Marianna is stays involved in both professional and personal community organizations, including serving on the board of the Women’s Energy Network South Louisiana Chapter and the Junior Executive Board for Shuck Cancer. Marianna and her husband, Stephen, reside in New Orleans.

languages

English

  • Business Transactions and Entity Formation and Governance
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction
  • Environmental and Toxic Torts
  • Insurance
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Litigation and Arbitration
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Regulatory
  • Real Estate and Commercial Leasing
  • Renewable Energy
  • Construction
  • Energy and Natural Resources
  • Insurance
  • NEWS

    PUBLICATIONS