Partner

Michael J. McManus is a partner in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group, and the former regional partner in charge of the Washington, DC office.  He has been handling complex commercial litigation cases for more than 32 years.  Michael's experience is primarily concentrated in False Claims Act, products liability, construction and intellectual property, although he has handled a number of cases in other areas of general commercial litigation, as well as complex insurance cases.

We have built an exceptional litigation group in the Washington office, with the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience necessary to efficiently handle all types of cases, from smaller individual cases to massive billion dollar False Claims Act cases and class actions.  We handle all of our cases on a team basis and I am very fortunate to work with a number of excellent lawyers.

Areas of Concentration.  Michael's concentrations are often complimentary to each other.  He has represented builders, contractors and architects in defense of many and various architectural malpractice, construction defect and ADA claims.  Construction defects often also involve product liability issues and in that regard Michael has represented many clients in construction product cases involving products as diverse as concrete, sprinkler systems, fire retardant plywood (FRT) and exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS).  He has represented manufacturers in defense of pharmaceutical, medical implant device and other products that have been alleged to cause personal injury.  One of the most significant False Claims Act cases Michael has handled involved a massive overseas construction project. 

Michael has handled cases in more than 30 different states, in both state and federal court.

Significant Recent Engagements

United States, ex rel. Ervin and Associates, Inc. v. The Hamilton Securities Group, Inc., et al. (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia).  Representing Hamilton in defense of False Claims Act claims alleging bid rigging of HUD mortgage loan sales.

Pulte Home Corporation v. Parex, Inc. (Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD).  Representing Pulte in construction products liability action concerning defective manufacture and installation of synthetic stucco on residential homes.

U.S. ex rel. Miller v. Harbert Corporation, et al. (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia).  Representing Harbert Corporation and Harbert International, Inc., in defense of False Claims Act claims alleging bid rigging of international construction contracts.

Trinity University v. Forrester Construction Co., et al. (D.C. Superior Court). Representing Trinity in a construction defect case concerning the defective design and installation of a roof on the University’s new athletic center.

U.S. ex rel Main v. Oakland City University (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana).  Representing OCU in defense of False Claims Act charges related to submission of allegedly false statements to the Department of Education in connection with eligibility to participate in the Federal Student Loan Program.

Timothy Hecke, Individually and d/b/a Ric Tower Creations v. Excelsior Radio Networks, Inc. (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York).  Representing Excelsior Radio Networks, Inc. regarding copyright issues.