Michael McManus has called many places home. The son of a military officer, McManus spent time in California, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Ohio and Illinois and did a three-year stint overseas in Germany — all before he entered the seventh grade. But when his family eventually landed in Alexandria, he knew he’d found his home. Even after leaving the region to attend the College of Notre Dame and Tulane University, he found his way back.
“I actually had an opportunity to go with a [law] firm in Detroit, and I went there and they wined and dined me,” said McManus, a managing partner with the law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in the District. “It was a great opportunity, but I realized I didn’t know anybody there; and I had been away for seven years, and it was time to come home.”
McManus, who specializes in civil litigation, has now been in Washington for 32 years.
He joined Drinker Biddle in 1998 after a long career at Jackson & Campbell, a local firm with several offices in the region.
“[Washington] is just a great city,” said McManus, 56. “The legal work and the legal market is very stimulating and, of course, we’re in the center of the universe, being herein Washington.”
McManus was promoted to managing partner in May 2005 and since that time has grown the Washington office, one of 12 across the country, from 45 lawyers to about 100.
In January, Drinker Biddle merged with Chicago-based Gardner Carton & Douglas LLP, bringing the total number of lawyers in the firm to more than 640 and making it one of the 70 largest law firms in the U.S.
In the Washington office, McManus and his colleagues focus much of their practice on cases that involve the federal government.
The firm has a long client list that includes many pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as educational institutions and big-name real estate developers.
In the coming years, McManus intends to continue growing the Washington practice.
“With law firms, that’s what you do, you add lawyers and you strengthen your practice groups,” he said. “[We’ve become] a national player in all the practice areas we have in the firm, and I’m very proud of that.”
Michael McManus
BUSINESS
» Current job: Regional Partner in Charge, Washington Office, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
» Number of e-mails a day: 400 to 500
» Number of voice mails a day: 20 to 30
» Essential Web site: Und.com
» Gadgets: TiVo
» Education/credentials: B.A., Notre Dame; J.D., Tulane
» Original aspiration: Manager, Chicago Cubs
» First job: Lifeguard
» Career objective: King
PERSONAL
» Date of Birth: Feb. 20, 1950
» Hometown: Alexandria
» Sports/hobbies: Football, lacrosse
» Transportation: Z-4
» Favorite restaurant: Le Tour d’Argent
» Computer: Ugh
» Favorite clothier: Joseph Aboud
» Vacation spot: Mustique
» Role model: My dad
» Quote: Carpe diem
» Reading: Tom Clancy
