John F. McManus - Attorney

John F. McManus - Attorney

 

John McManus is a shareholder in the firm's Real Estate section and a member of the Board of Directors of the firm. His practice emphasizes the acquisition, development, construction, financing, zoning and leasing of commercial and residential development. John also handles general business transactions and estate planning. He is located in the firm's Fredericksburg, Virginia office.

Relevant Experience:

  • Negotiates and closes real estate sales, acquisitions and assemblages for commercial, office, residential and mixed-use developments.
  • Assists purchasers in all aspects of feasibility studies for acquisitions, including review of title, environmental studies, financing documents, survey, zoning, leases and related matters.
  • Prepares contracts, leases, letters of intent and related documents for the sale, acquisition or lease of real property.
  • Counsels financial institutions and borrowers in commercial loan transactions.
  • Drafts covenants, restrictions and easements for office, industrial, retail, residential and mixed use projects.
  • Represents property owners in zoning and related land use matters before Planning Commissions and Boards of Supervisors in Stafford, Spotsylvania, Orange and the City of Fredericksburg.
  • Assists clients in obtaining the necessary governmental approvals for the development of land and construction of improvements by working with local government attorneys, planners, zoning administrators, engineers and staff.
  • Represents landowners and local governments in negotiations related to land acquisitions by eminent domain.
  • Prepares documents for commercial and residential condominium projects.
  • Forms associations for the management of commercial developments (office, retail and industrial) and residential planned use developments.
  • Counsels clients for the facilitation of like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Forms limited liability companies, partnerships and corporations and prepares related operating and shareholder agreements.
  • Conducts foreclosure sales for financial institutions of commercial properties and raw land.
  • Assists clients in estate planning - wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and advanced medical directives.
  • Acted as branch counsel for national title insurer.

Education:

  • Washington & Lee School of Law, J.D., 1989
  • Johns Hopkins University, M.S. in Real Estate Finance and Development, 1996
  • Bowdoin College, B.A. in History, 1986

Published Works/Speaking Engagements:

  • "An Examination of the Issues, Challenges and Trends in the Development of Senior Housing"
  • Lectured on numerous topics, including title insurance, commercial leasing, foreclosures, mechanic's liens and 1031 exchanges

Pro Bono/Community Service:

  • Fredericksburg Academy Board of Trustees 
  • The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region, Board of Governors

Recognition:

  • Martindale-Hubbell - AV Peer Review Rated 
  • Virginia Business Magazine's Legal Elite - 2009

Membership:

  • Fredericksburg Bar Association (Past Treasurer)
  • Virginia Bar Association (Member, Real Property Section)
  • Urban Land Institute
  • Fredericksburg Area Builders Association
  • American Bar Association

Firm Involvement:

  • Board of Directors

Bar Admission:

  • Virginia, 1989