Joseph J. Manna is a partner in the firm's Business and Commercial Litigation Department. He has extensive experience in matters involving breach of contract disputes, commercial leases, construction contracts and claims, joint venture agreements, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, shareholder agreements and disputes as well as buy/sell and supply contracts. The following is a sample of cases handled by Mr. Manna:

• Obtained jury verdict of $1.64 million against the Town of Clarence for its de facto taking of a resident's land; 
• Invalidated a $25 million real estate purchase and sale agreement, and obtained a $500,000 deposit refund for his client;
• Obtaining judgments of over $3.5 million for a joint venture between two of the world's largest construction companies;
• Securing a $3 million settlement against a surety on behalf of an international bridge and tunnel contractor;
• Representing a Florida based company in a joint venture dispute involving a $19 million construction contract to supply and install goods in Russia;
• Successfully defending a well-known Los Angeles based entertainment company in a $14 million international licensing dispute;
• Gaining possession of commercial property valued at over $1 million for a shareholder in a corporate dissolution proceeding;
• Obtaining summary judgment for a large specialty contractor in a labor law dispute in which the plaintiff sought more than $10 million;
• Obtaining a $500,00 settlement against a local municipality for a utility contractor;
• Securing a $240,000 settlement for a local general contractor against a condominium association; and
• Successfully representing the manufacturer of a well-known line of sports supplements and nutritional aids in a claim alleging trademark and copyright infringement.

Honors and Achievements

• Named to Buffalo Law Journal/Business First Who's Who in Law, Construction Law (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)

In The News

Mr. Manna handles many high profile cases that draw media attention.  Click on any of the descriptions below to view articles which feature comments from or about Mr. Manna.

Mr. Manna commences a bid protest dispute for an aggrieved contractor, as reported by The Buffalo News.

Business First and the Buffalo Law Journal feature Mr. Manna in an article on Business Divorce.

NBC affiliate WGRZ-TV interviews Mr. Manna regarding his representation of three doctors suing D'Youville College for false and deceptive business practices.  

Courthouse News Service reports on Mr. Manna's representation of three doctors against D'Youville College for false and deceptive business practices.

Mr. Manna appears on NBC affiliate WGRZ-TV, commenting on the legal options of Toyota lessees following the Toyota recall.  

The Buffalo News reports on the $1.89 Million verdict obtained by Mr. Manna at trial for a Clarence property owner.

Buffalo News story concerning Mr. Manna'a nearly $2 Million jury verdict against the Town of Clarence

The Buffalo News interviews Mr. Manna concerning the wrongful termination of a former bank CEO.

Mr. Manna comments to Business First regarding a former bank CEO's wrongful termination.

Buffalo News interviews Mr. Manna concerning leadership coup at Waterford Village Bank.

President of Larry Flynt's company lauds Mr. Manna for successfully defending against $23 million international licensing dispute.

San Diego Union-Tribune interviews Mr. Manna concerning Satai Group's dispute involving Publisher Larry Flynt's ten story office building in Beverly Hills, California.

Bar & Court Admissions

• State of New York
• United States Court of Federal Claims

Education

• New England School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1995
• State University of New York at Oswego. B.S., cum laude, 1992

Publications

• Mr. Manna has published many articles in various trade journals as well in the Temple Political and Civil Rights Review

Speaking Engagements

• Professors at the University of Buffalo frequently call upon Mr. Manna to speak to classes at the graduate and undergraduate level in the academic disciplines of construction and engineering/architectural law. He is also a frequent lecturer and instructor for continuing education providers such as Lorman and the National Business Institute. Seminars instructed by Mr. Manna include:
• Tricks, Traps and Ploys used in Construction Scheduling (October 20, 2005)
• Managing Construction Projects (April 12, 2006)
• What to do When Construction Jobs Go Bad (June 7, 2006)
• Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects in New York (2006)

Professional Activities

• Member of the Home Improvement Council, the Association of Bridge Construction and Design, and the CFMA
• Member of the New York State Bar Association as well as the Bar Association of Erie County