Edward McManimon, the co-founder of one of the most well-respected law firms in the state, Roseland-based McManimon, Scotland & Baumann LLC, died Feb. 2 at the age of 77.

The New Jersey resident passed away at home surrounded by family following a brief illness, according to his obituary.

A Ewing native, McManimon graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1964 and earned an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in 1968. He went on to earn a law degree at George University Law Center in 1971 and began his legal career as a law secretary for U.S. District Court Judge George Barlow in Trenton.

Following the judicial clerkship, McManimon became associated with the firm that now bears his name and where his distinguished career would span more than half a century.

Known for its ability to bridge both public and private sectors to realize groundbreaking projects, McManimon, Scotland & Baumann represents hundreds of municipalities, school boards, counties, state agencies and authorities, as well as Fortune 500 companies, banks and developers.

The firm – whose areas include public finance, redevelopment, land use, litigation, alternative dispute resolution and bankruptcy – is regularly ranked by Thompson Financial Group as No. 1 bond counsel in New Jersey for total issues and total dollars raised.

A recognized leader

As part of his practice, McManimon devoted much time to advising municipalities, counties, school districts and government agencies regarding capital financing and related governmental requirements. His specialties included analyzing, developing and implementing financial plans for redevelopment areas, new schools and infrastructure projects throughout New Jersey.

McManimon’s career includes several accolades, such as New Jersey Law Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award and New Jersey League of Municipalities’ Distinguished Public Service Award. He also received Georgetown University’s two highest alumni recognitions: the John Carroll Award and William Gaston Award.

He served as chairman of the Local Government Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association and was a member of the Institute of Municipal Attorneys. McManimon was also special counsel to the League of Municipalities in connection with public finance and redevelopment matters.

He had been a frequent lecturer on the law of municipal finance on behalf of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Authorities Association, the New Jersey Government Finance Officers Association, the Association of County Finance Officers, the New Jersey Association of Counties, the New Jersey Clerks Association, the New Jersey Institute for Professional Development and the Rutgers University Municipal Financial Management Course.

‘No ask too small’

In a post on its website about McManimon’s passing, McManimon, Scotland & Baumann praised him not only for the “indelible mark” he left on the legal community and Georgetown but also for his guidance.

“Ed lived to serve — humbly, simply and purely … Despite his obvious talents and achievements, and the acknowledgments that followed, Ed remained ready to assist and serve all of us. No ask too small. No task below his stature. He met us where we were; not the other way around,” the firm wrote.

“The source of Ed’s desire to help was pure and simple. He cared. He saw potential. Potential we often did not see in ourselves. He refused to allow that potential to go unrealized. Ed encouraged, pushed, and prodded us forward,” the post said. “Always he remained only a call, email, text, or conversation away if we needed reassurance, advice, or more prodding. Ed remained at his core an advisor, coach, and mentor.”

He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Christina, two children and three grandchildren. McManimon is also survived by eight siblings, a sister-in-law and more than 20 nieces and nephews.

Visitation is scheduled Feb. 8 from 4-8 p.m. and Feb. 9 from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Pennington. A service will be held Feb. 9 at 11 a.m., also at St. James.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (72 Escher St., Trenton).