Introduction
Maggie Knaust is Senior Counsel in Trenam Law's Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group, handling cases for clients in a wide variety of business, real estate and healthcare disputes. A member of the Leadership St. Pete Class of 2016, she is Chair-Elect, Executive and Planning Committee for the Class of 2022, and will be LSP Chair in 2023. Her most recent honors include Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star 2022 and The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Health Care, 2022-2023.
Years in St. Pete
35
Organizations involved in
Currently, in an official capacity – Girls Inc of Pinellas County, Leadership St. Pete and the St. Pete Bar Association.
What gets you out of bed every day?
I love the opportunity to connect with people. I never thought I’d turn into one of those people who strike up conversations with strangers. I don’t know if I’m getting old or what that is, but I love the chance to have conversations and to create kindness and have connection with others. That’s really what gets me going.
Why St. Pete?
I was born and raised here. I flirted with the idea of leaving St. Pete and going to a bigger city, and then this magical thing happened where my hometown became the places I was trying to go.
What is one habit that you keep?
I’d like to say I was really good about exercising everyday or some health habit, but I’m not – there’s no consistency on a daily basis. But every day I make a point of telling the people I love that I love them.
Who are some people that influence you?
I would say the biggest infelunce in my life is my mom, Valerie Scott Knaust. She’s a force. For people that know my in real life, it would be shocking that I’ve got a lot of strong female figures in my family. She’s been an incredible mother and an inspiration in how she’s grown and evolved as a person through her whole life.
What is one piece of insight - a book, methodology, practice - that you would share with our readers?
If you don’t think you’re great, nobody else will. One of the things I really love working with other women on is how do you develop confidence skills. I see it as the biggest thing that’s lacking in so many brilliant women that I come across – that they don’t think how fantastic they are. If you don’t think you’re great, you can’t sell yourself and you’re never going to get where you want to be.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your work 3 years ago?
Just how important relationships are both with your coworkers and your clients – and with the people you engage with.
What’s next?
In the immediate future, I’ve got a nephew that’s coming and I’m very excited about that. We’re going to seat another fantastic class of Leadership St. Pete. And this weekend I’ve got a wedding coming up, and I’m really looking forward to that.
