The Georgia State University College of Law building at 85 Park Place in downtown Atlanta was developed with students in mind. While the entire building is open to law students, the Marjorie and Ralph Knowles Conference Center offers space to the community for meetings, conferences and other events. “The original goal of the creation of the Knowles Conference Center was to create a new hub to host legal, professional and educational events for our faculty, students, alumni and friends in the legal community. Instead of sending our faculty out to conferences all over the country, they can connect our staff with legal associations and host conferences here at the College of Law.
Georgia State Law's Conference and Event Services department creates the decor and setup for the College's events.
This provides our students with the connections and networking opportunities with these organizations they may not have known about otherwise,” said Christine Thomas, director of conference and event services, whose team serves the entire conference center including the 230-seat ceremonial courtroom and all three of the salons.
From there, the conference center took on a life of its own, regularly hosting events for organizations and businesses all over the state of Georgia.
In October 2023, the Georgia State University College of Law hosted a U.S. Senate Human Rights Subcommittee public hearing in the conference center’s Ceremonial Courtroom. Led by U.S. Georgia Senator and Subcommittee Chairman Jon Ossoff, the hearing allowed College of Law students to witness the law in action for the day-to-day operations of a U.S. Senate subcommittee.
In November 2024, the Supreme Court of Georgia held a special session at Georgia State University College of Law. Law students were invited to hear arguments, providing a unique hands-on opportunity for students to observe how Justices seek information that is used to write their opinions.
In December 2025, Judge Brian Fortner (J.D. ’00) addressed 39 Georgia State University College of Law graduates at the 2025 Winter Commencement and Hooding Ceremony. It wasn’t the first time those graduates had set foot in the conference center. They graduated in a room where they saw legal practice happen in real time.
While the conference center has hosted some notable legal events, any industry is welcome to use the facility and services. In June 2026, Georgia State Law will be the location for the 49th Annual Health Law Professors Conference.
These kinds of events can’t be held anywhere. Events need catering, meetings need supplies, and the space must be physically accessible. In the heart of Atlanta, the courtroom has a maximum capacity of 260—enough room for the Supreme Court of Georgia, law students, faculty, alumni and the public. The salons can be set up for lectures, banquets and classrooms. Catering is handled by the clients, but the Conference and Event Services department can help select menu items and quantities. There are many A/V services available, and meeting equipment can be rented.
In addition to a best-in-class facility, the Conference and Event Services department is there to help every step of the way.
“Christine and David are amazing! They were responsive, available to show us the space (more than once) and extremely resourceful at all times pre- and post-event,” said Chiquita Banks, Board Member, Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association. “I would use the College of Law again in a heartbeat and hope that we're able to use the facilities again for our next conference.”
While this space is a conference center, what happens inside the building is more than just an event. When thought leaders gather here, the impact expands into the community.
M. Margaret McKeown book signing at Georgia State Law.
“The Knowles Conference Center does more than host events,” said College Facilities and Events Officer Natacha Peters, who oversees events and facilities for the College of Law. “It serves as a dynamic hub for ideas, collaboration and community. We host a variety of external groups and cover a wide range of topics, creating a professional and welcoming space where legal scholars, practitioners, students and community partners can come together to exchange knowledge and address real-world challenges. Its impact extends beyond the College of Law by fostering meaningful dialogue on issues that shape society, strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities for learning, engagement and connection.”
Regardless of the industry or type of event, students will always come first.
“College of Law Student Organizations have priority over event reservations in the building, and we are committed to working with students to help plan stellar events,” said Thomas.
Nothing prepares students for life after school better than practical experience. With spaces like the Marjorie & Ralph Knowles Conference Center, Georgia State University College of Law students are in the room where law happens.