Kenneth A. Manning

Practice Areas

Ken is an accomplished litigator with notable experience in complex, bet-the-company cases including state and federal class actions, product liability defense, catastrophic personal injury actions, contract and commercial litigations.

Ken’s experience includes bet-the-company corporate and commercial litigation, dissolution proceedings, employment termination disputes and controversies involving the sale of goods and services. In addition to personal injury and wrongful death claims involving product liability, workplace accidents, negligence and environmental exposure experience, he has successfully prosecuted and defended class actions in both state and federal courts, and has experience in challenges to governmental actions, including taxes and assessments, as well as actions for declaratory relief.

Ken represents clients at the trial and appellate level in numerous jurisdictions, including three recent appeals in the New York Court of Appeals involving questions of first impression relating to cross jurisdictional tolling of class actions, pipeline condemnation rights and animal rights involving Happy the Elephant (Bronx Zoo).

On a selective basis, Ken has served as a mediator and has been successful in settling complex cases in New York State Supreme Court, Surrogate’s Court and federal court. Ken also represents clients on high-profile corporate and trust matters.

Career

Joined the firm in 1979 and in 2025 transitioned his role to Of Counsel.

Judicial Clerkship Hon. Reid S. Moule, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, 1977-1979.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Section of Dispute Resolution, Litigation Section; Bar Association of Erie County, Endowment Fund Committee;

Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU); The Historical Society of the Courts of the State of New York, Litigation Counsel of America™, Trial Law Institute, Member, Diversity Law Institute, Member, Advocate, Order of Certus; National Association of College and University Attorneys; New York State Bar Association, Sustaining Member; Commercial and Federal Litigation Section, Dispute Resolution Section, Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section, Class Action Committee, Court Structure and Operations Committee; UB Law Alumni Association; Western District of New York, Committee to Revise Federal Court Local Rules – 2000

Education