James McManis, head of McManis Faulkner, a leading Northern California trial firm, has been named president of the Boalt Hall Alumni Association at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. The Association’s mission is to foster Berkeley Law’s tradition of educational excellence, strengthen relationships among alumni, faculty and students and promote the development of law school resources.
“It is a great honor to serve as the president of the Alumni Association. I look forward to working with the board of directors and continuing the Association’s goals, including my personal favorite: fostering strong relationships among the alumni and the students, the lawyers of the future,” said McManis. “My involvement allows me the opportunity to give back to the school that has given me so much.”
McManis was recently honored with the Trustees’ Citation for his involvement in the fundraising success of the U.C. Berkeley School of Law. He chaired the 2007 Boalt Hall Class Reunion Campaign, helping to raise a record-setting $6.7 million in gifts and pledges; served as the inaugural chair of the Boalt Hall Fund for 2005-06; and was former chair of the Dean’s Society.
Since founding McManis Faulkner more than 35 years ago, McManis has represented Silicon Valley companies in commercial, trade secret and intellectual property issues, as well as individuals in a variety of matters, including civil rights actions and criminal defense. A member of the trial bar for more than 40 years, McManis is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. McManis received his J.D. from University of California Berkeley School of Law (1967) and his B.A. from Stanford University (1964).