Judge Timothy McManus (Ret.)

Timothy McManus

Mediator | Arbitrator | Special Master

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Timothy.McManus@PowerHouseMediation.com

“Mediation and arbitration offer a powerful opportunity to resolve disputes outside the courtroom, focusing on collaborative problem-solving and preserving relationships. With extensive experience in complex litigation, I am uniquely positioned to help parties find common ground, achieving outcomes that are efficient, fair, and mutually beneficial.” — Hon. Timothy J. McManus (Ret.)

Contact Information

Timothy.McManus@PowerHouseMediation.com

(612) 895-2210

Practice Areas

  • Civil Mediation
  • Civil Arbitration
  • Family Mediation
  • Family Arbitration
  • Court Appointed Neutral/Special Master

Education

  • J.D., William Mitchell College of Law (1985)
  • Cambridge Law School, England (1984)
  • BS, Finance, Drake University (1981)

Bar Admissions

  • State of Minnesota 
  • United States District of Minnesota 

Professional Appointments & Employment

  • Judge, First Judicial District, State of Minnesota (1997 – 2024)
  • Board Director, Larkin-Hoffman Law Firm, Ltd (1996 – 1997)
  • Shareholder, Larkin-Hoffman Law Firm, Ltd (1985 – 1997)

Professional Accomplishments & Honors

  • Rhodes Scholar Candidate
  • Marshall Scholar Candidate
  • Academic All-American Honorable Mention (Football)
  • Full athletic scholarship for Division IA football at Drake University
  • Academic Honors – Drake University

Professional Associations

  • Certified Civil Trial Specialist, Minnesota State Bar Association (1996 – Present)
  • Hennepin, Dakota, and Ramsey County Bar Associations
  • Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota (ACTLM)
  • American Trial Lawyers Association
  • Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association | Minnesota Association of Justice
  • Arbitrator, American Bar Association

Family, Civil and Community Involvement

  • Devoted Family Man: A proud husband, father of five, and grandfather of five, deeply committed to family and community values.
  • Champion for Youth Development: Serves as Director of the Mendota Heights Football Program and volunteers as a judge for the Minnesota State High School League Mock Trial Competition, fostering growth and leadership in young people.
  • Judicial and Community Leadership: Member of the Community Corrections Advisory Council, contributing to the development of policies and programs focused on offender rehabilitation and community safety.
  • Passionate Sports Enthusiast and Referee: Has officiated football and hockey games at both collegiate and high school levels, combining a love for sports with leadership and fair play.
  • Committed Volunteer: Actively supports organizations like Meals on Wheels and Sharing and Caring Hands, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to serving those in need beyond the courtroom.

Biography

Hon. Timothy J. McManus (Ret.) brings nearly four decades of exceptional legal experience, including 27 years as a distinguished District Court Judge and 12 years as a certified civil trial attorney. During his judicial tenure, he presided over a wide array of cases, serving as lead judge in both civil and criminal divisions. From routine matters to complex, high-stakes litigation, Judge McManus earned a reputation for professionalism, legal acumen, and an unwavering commitment to fairness, consistently delivering equitable and efficient outcomes in even the most challenging disputes.

Appointed to the First Judicial District bench in 1997 by Governor Arne Carlson, Judge McManus repeatedly earned the public’s trust, securing re-elections in 1998, 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022. Now retired from the bench, he applies his vast courtroom experience to mediation, arbitration, and special master roles, bringing a balanced, solution-focused approach to resolving disputes effectively and collaboratively.

Judicial/Legal Experience

  • Oversaw a diverse docket of civil and criminal trials, including mass tort cases such as asbestos litigation and nationwide class action lawsuits. Specialized in complex litigation encompassing personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice, contract disputes, employment law, probate, and construction matters.
  • Selected as the trial judge for a high-profile nationwide class-action lawsuit involving Maytag washing machine litigation, providing decisive leadership and resolution in a contentious case.
  • Frequently sought after by judicial colleagues to mediate challenging cases, earning recognition for achieving consistently high settlement rates. Assigned to the most intricate civil litigation matters in Dakota County.
  • Presided over a broad range of family law disputes, effectively managing cases involving both self-represented and attorney-represented litigants.
  • Chosen by both Republican and Democratic parties—out of 41 judges in the First Judicial District—to preside over a politically sensitive election fraud and misconduct trial arising from the 2020 Minnesota State election. The selection process involved each party striking judges until a single judge was unanimously agreed upon.

Representative Matters

  • Proven Trial Advocate: Successfully defended clients in high-stakes cases, achieving favorable outcomes in matters involving dental malpractice, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, product liability, sexual harassment, and other tort and construction disputes.
  • Record-Setting Results: Secured a landmark $10.5 million verdict in Rice County, demonstrating exceptional litigation skills and strategic acumen.
  • Innovative Practice Leader: Founded and expanded the personal injury department at Larkin Hoffman, Ltd., handling a balanced caseload of 60% plaintiff and 40% defense work.  Represented a diverse clientele, including prominent companies such as Mills Fleet Farm, Taco Bell, Chubb Insurance, Mall of America, Yellow Taxi, and other self-insured entities.
  • High-Profile Representation: Represented Minnesota’s NHL North Stars before their relocation to Dallas, Texas, showcasing expertise in high-visibility cases.
  • Industry Specialist: Directed national defense litigation in the paintball industry, leveraging deep legal insight to address complex liability issues.