Joseph A. "Joe" McManus, Jr.

Joseph graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1969 and Duke University Law School in 1972. He is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia, New York, North Carolina and Georgia.
Mr. McManus served as Law Clerk to Chief Justice Solibakke of the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) while on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, JAG Corps from 1972-1976. After his service, he went to Smith, Currie & Hancock in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in construction and government contracts litigation (1976-1979). He served as General Counsel to Clark Construction Group (CEI) and The George Hyman Construction Company from 1979-1983, and then left to form MD&F.
Mr. McManus is a past President of American College of Construction Lawyers.
Quoting from Chambers and Partners 2007, a respected peer ranking publication: “Joseph McManus focuses evenly on dispute resolution and contract work…he sets the standard but his people live up to it.” Clients praise his “ability to grasp his client’s needs right away and lay out alternative paths. He gives us the pros and cons on each decision but does not force it.”He is a spot-on litigator and gave us personal attention above and beyond the call of duty.
Mr. McManus was recently involved in some significant arbitration in the Caribbean both for public bodies and private contractors. He also has a large contract drafting practice including a particular specialty in hospitals. “He is a spot-on litigator and gave us personal attention above and beyond the call of duty,” one happy client summed up.
In 2010, Chambers and Partners reported, “Joseph McManus is prized for his skills as an arbitrator and mediator and for his extensive knowledge of local construction law and issues in the wider marketplace. He is commended as “a dogged advocate for his clients.”
Mr. McManus is called upon frequently to serve as an arbitrator of construction disputes. He is a member of the Large Complex Case Panel of Arbitrators and mediator for the American Arbitration Association. He was recently inducted into the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
His commitment to education has included roles as Fellow, Duke University Private Adjudication Center, and as a lecturer to the University of Virginia. He has held seminars for the American Bar Association, District of Columbia and Virginia Bars, the Florida School Board Attorneys’ Association, Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Builders and Contractors, American Hospital Association (ASHE), Engineering News Record, Forbes Magazine, American Insurance Resources, Inc., American Council of Shopping Centers, and Forum Committee on the Construction Industry and Public Contract Section (ABA). Mr. McManus has been called upon as an expert witness on the construction payment process, claims management agreements, construction contract documents, and AIA Document A-210 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction.
His public service commitments include serving as Chairman of the Procurement Reform Taskforce for the Council of the District of Columbia.