John F. McManus

"My clients are unique in their backgrounds, experiences, and objectives.  I enjoy the process of determining and implementing the best path forward to achieve their short-term and long-term goals."

John’s real estate practice focuses primarily in the Commonwealth of Virginia in Fredericksburg, Blacksburg, and Northern Virginia.  He also manages real estate transactions in other states and countries based on the needs of his clients.  John’s real estate clients include businesses and individuals engaged in real estate development, construction, home building, sales, leasing and operations.  Among these clients are developers of commercial and mixed use projects, real estate investors, lenders, residential home builders, commercial and retail owners, non-profits, general contractors, and end users. 

John also advises business owners, contractors, physicians, defense contractors and individuals on business operational and transactional matters. He works with individuals in the formation of limited liability companies and corporations (operating and shareholder agreements) and counsels clients in estate planning and the preparation of wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and advanced medical directives.

John is the chair of the firm's real estate section. He also serves on the firm’s Board of Directors and as chair of the Information Technology Committee.

Best Lawyers in America® for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Real Estate Law, 2024 - 2025

Martindale-Hubbell^® AV Preeminent^®  - This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.

Named to "Legal Elite" (Real Estate/Land Use), Virginia Business, 2009 - 2011, 2013 - 2014, 2019 - 2022, 2024

Professional Affiliations

Fredericksburg Bar Association (Past Treasurer)

Virginia Bar Association (Member, Real Property Section)

Urban Land Institute

Fredericksburg Area Builders Association

American Bar Association

Business and Civic Organizations

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region, Board of Governors, Past President

Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, Board of Directors

Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, Inc., Former Board Member

Growing up the youngest of five in an Irish-Catholic family provided a solid foundation for a life as a lawyer.  John learned the importance of family, faith, love and selflessness, but he also begrudgingly learned other lessons and skills:  Failed negotiations can lead to three days of the same game of Monopoly.  Being the loudest or most aggressive may work sometimes, but may also land you in the middle seat in an over-packed station wagon on an 11-hour road trip. Working collaboratively leads to a bigger and better fort than going it alone. It was these experiences that ultimately shaped John’s practice and his flexible and creative approach to meeting client needs.

Beyond the office, John enjoys playing golf, amateur photography, corn hole and hiking in Maine and Virginia state and national parks and the Civil War battlefields in Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg, Virginia with his family and yellow lab, Chief. 

He is an avid reader of the Wall Street Journal and books related to American history, particularly the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and non-fiction sports. Maine and Outer Banks, NC are favorite vacation spots.