Bar Fellowship
Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, meaning "very high to preeminent" in legal ability, and "very high" in ethical conduct, based on evaluations by other attorneys.
Named "Best of the Bar" in personal injury, trials, and appeals by the Kansas City Business Journal, 2003, 2005, 2006,2009, 2012.
Recognized by the Missouri House of Representatives in a resolution brought before the House to honor attorneys who "demonstrate exemplary professionalism and civility in the daily practice of law through the true embodiment of gallantry, peacemaking, harmony, and friendship." April 2003.
Honored by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and named as the recipient of the "Congenial Counselor Award for 2003," May 2003.
Listed in Who's Who in American Law, 2004-2006.
Professional Experience
The Law Offices of James W. McManus & also DeWitt & Zeldin, LLC, Kansas City, Missouri Of Counsel, 2002 - Present
Attorney for individuals, construction contractors, and various business corporations in many diverse civil matters, in addition to representing injured clients in personal injury and insurance cases in trials and/or appeals to the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, as well as to the Missouri appellate courts, including the Missouri Supreme Court.
Dysart Taylor Lay Cotter & McMonigle, P.C., Kansas City, Missouri Of Counsel, 1994 - 2002
Represented individuals, construction contractors, businesses, and insurance corporations in many diverse matters, including preparation of contracts, powers of attorney, wills and legal briefs; represented clients in trials in federal district courts and on appeal to the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals and the Missouri appellate courts.
Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, P.C., Kansas City, Missouri Partner and Director - Litigation Department, 1977 - 1994 Associate - Litigation Department, 1973 - 1976
For this large regional law firm, held progressively responsible positions beginning with associate, then partner and director; served as trial attorney representing individuals and construction contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, project owners, and their insurers in arbitrations or trials and on appeals to both state and federal appellate courts, including the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.
United States District Court of the Western District of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri Law Clerk to the Honorable William H. Becker, Chief Judge, 1971 - 1973.
University of Health Sciences School of Medicine, Independence, Missouri Lecturer on medical jurisprudence, 1994.
Professional Articles and Publications
Medical Malpractice Manual, co-authored for the National Business Institute Continuing Legal Education Organization, 1997.
"Owner Not Liable for Job Site Injuries to Contractor's Employee," Modern Builder, March/April 1994.
"Architects/Engineers May Now be Required to Post Payment Bonds in Public Works Projects in Missouri," Modern Builder, January 1993.
"Effective Motion Practice in Missouri: Motions for Summary Judgments and Pretrial Dispositive Motions," Lorman Business Center Publications, September 1992.
Professional Presentations
Speaker, "Medical Malpractice," National Business Institute CLE, 1997.
Speaker, "Medical Jurisprudence," University of Health Sciences Medical School, May 1994.
Speaker, "New Time Standards of the Missouri Supreme Court" KCMBA Bench-Bar Conference, April 1994.
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