Category: Firm News

John O. McManus Honored with New Jersey YMCA State Alliance 2018 Social Responsibility Champion Award

John O. McManus, founder of trusts and estates firm McManus & Associates, was honored statewide with the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance 2018 Social Responsibility Champion Award for his devotion and passionate advocacy to the Y and the community for over 10 years. In 2005, John joined Somerset County YMCA’s (SCYMCA) Board of Directors and currently is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Board Governance Committee, as well as serving on the Financial Development Committee and Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet. Recently, John was elected by his peers to be the next Board Chair beginning in January 2019.

See the YMCA’s release on McManus being named the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance 2018 Social Responsibility Champion Award by clicking here.

According to Somerset County YMCA Board Chair Mark Irwin:

While John has effectively raised funds throughout his service to the Y, his increased enthusiasm over the past six years has been remarkable.

From 2013 through 2018, John personally raised $279,440 for SCYMCA, which helped to surpass the campaign goal each year. In 2012, overall gifts to the Annual Campaign equaled $185,668, and in 2018 SCYMCA raised a total of $1,003,526 – a 540% increase.

Irwin continued:

Through his tenure as a volunteer, John has grown as a respected, cause-driven leader. His dedication to the Y has resulted in vital funds that help the Y to provide financial assistance and mission-based programs, which enhance quality of life and make a meaningful difference.

John strengthens community by bringing the Y’s mission to life and ensuring that everyone in the community has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

John consistently demonstrates a passion for giving back to advance the Y’s mission and to address challenging community needs.

Click here to read Irwin’s full speech on McManus’ unique and outstanding contributions to the Y.

In his speech at the award ceremony, McManus shared the secret behind his success:

For my wife and me, fundraising has become second nature. It starts with a story that we believe in that must be communicated well to a group that is passionate about helping others and delivered to a consistently-engaged, ever expanding-group of patrons.

Click here to read McManus’ full speech, including the five lessons he learned while growing up in the Bronx that fashioned, as described by Irwin and others, his “gift” as a fundraiser.

For help achieving outstanding philanthropic results consistent with your values, call McManus & Associates at 908-898-0100.

McManus & Associates Named Boutique Firm of the Year Finalist for Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Awards

McManus & Associates, a top-rated estate planning law firm celebrating 25 years of success, today announced that it has been named a Boutique Firm of the Year Finalist by the international Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) for the organization’s 2017/18 Private Client Awards. STEP is a prestigious, invitation-only worldwide organization of estate planners who advise international families on their global interests.

McManus & Associates Named One of AI’s Top 50 Legal Elite

AI Legal Elite

McManus & Associates has been named one of Acquisition International’s (AI) Top 50 Legal Elite. According to its website, “AI is a monthly magazine that seeks to inform, entertain, influence, and shape the global corporate conversation through a combination of high quality editorial, rigorous research and an experienced and dedicated worldwide network of advisors, experts and contributors.” It has over 108,500+ subscribers that range from business leaders to investors.

VIDEO: John McManus Presents Estate Planning 101 at FAE

John O. McManus recently presented on Estate Planning Basics at the Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE). Sharing compelling client examples and colorful analogies to aid understanding, McManus discussed Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, and Living Wills.

In addition to learning about essential estate planning vehicles, watch video of the presentation below for answers to important questions related to estate tax planning and planning for incapacity.

Founder of McManus & Associates Honored by YMCA with Spirit Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service

The Somerset Hills YMCA of New Jersey recently held its 3rd Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards & Annual Campaign Victory Celebration. Members of the community joined together to recognize the far-reaching benefits of volunteerism and the selfless spirit in which it is offered. As such, Spirit Awards were presented to thank Y volunteers who “have made an impact” and inspire “by giving of themselves selflessly to benefit the Y and its members.”

John O. McManus, founder of McManus & Associates, was honored to receive a Spirit Award in the Living Our Cause category on this “Night of Stars,” the theme of the evening. John donated his talents in the volunteer area of Board of Directors/Annual Campaign/Planned Giving to benefit the Somerset Hills YMCA, a big-hearted organization that touches lives throughout the community.

McManus & Associates Named Finalist for STEP Private Client Awards

Boutique Firm of the Year

We’re excited to share that McManus & Associates has been named a finalist in the category “Boutique Firm of the Year” (sponsored by Citibank N.A.) for the STEP Private Client Awards 2013/2014. STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, is the leading worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and succession planning.

The STEP Private Client Awards highlight excellence among private client solicitors/attorneys, accountants, barristers, bankers, trust managers and financial advisors. So far, the Awards judges have assessed entries and shortlisted up to five nominees per category. To see the full list of categories and finalists, click here.

The Awards ceremony will take place on September, 18 2013 in London. Wish us luck!

John McManus called “best guy out there” in estate planning – Avvo client review

McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus recently received a client rating worth sharing on Avvo.com. According to Avvo’s “About Us” page, the site “empowers consumers by rating lawyers, and having these real lawyers answer their questions – all for free.”

Reviewing John’s services, a client called John the “best guy out there” when it comes to tax and estate planning attorneys. The client gave John a perfect six stars – an “excellent” rating – overall and also when asked to rate him in the categories “Trustworthy,” “Responsive,” “Knowledgeable” and “Kept me in informed.”

Recommending John, here’s what the client had to say:

What a great place to walk into. John was great using metaphors to translate the legal language, but not reducing it to useless pieces. I felt like I was important to creating the plan and could really speak to the fine points of the strategies used when I had completed all my documents. Thanks for a highly personal and professional experience!

We greatly appreciate this feedback, and if you’re a client of McManus & Associates, we welcome your thoughts, too.

McManus & Associates Chosen as one of New York Enterprise Report’s “10 Great Places to Work”

McManus & Associates - A Great Places to WorkWe’re proud to announce that New York Enterprise Report has chosen McManus & Associates as one of the 10 Great Places to Work, citing our modern client philosophies and the opportunities and benefits offered to our employees.

“Forget the stuffy offices full of dark mahogany furniture found in traditionally conservative firms of estate and trust attorneys. McManus & Associates has created a modern law firm, both in interior design and client management philosophies. The firm encourages employees’ personal ownership of the work product within the framework of a team approach. Each employee becomes an integral part of the entire process.”

See the full feature here.