Charles T. Manatt (In Memoriam)

Mr. Manatt was the founder of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. He began his legal career focusing on banking and financial services. Mr. Manatt’s practice focused on international, administrative and corporate law.

On July 1, 2001, Mr. Manatt became chairman of the Board of Trustees of The George Washington University. He served on the Board of the Wesley Foundation, the Mayo Foundation, the National Legal Center for the Public Interest, and the Smithsonian Museum of American History and was a member of the National Endowment for Democracy. In September 2004, Mr. Manatt re‑joined the Board of Directors of FedEx Corp. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Oak Value Management Inc.

Mr. Manatt served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic from 1999 to March 2001.

Founder and Partner

Charles T. Manatt (In Memoriam)


Services

Offices

On This Page

Bio

Charles T. Manatt (In Memoriam)

Mr. Manatt was the founder of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. He began his legal career focusing on banking and financial services. Mr. Manatt’s practice focused on international, administrative and corporate law.

On July 1, 2001, Mr. Manatt became chairman of the Board of Trustees of The George Washington University. He served on the Board of the Wesley Foundation, the Mayo Foundation, the National Legal Center for the Public Interest, and the Smithsonian Museum of American History and was a member of the National Endowment for Democracy. In September 2004, Mr. Manatt re‑joined the Board of Directors of FedEx Corp. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Oak Value Management Inc.

Mr. Manatt served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic from 1999 to March 2001.

Accomplishments

The Best Lawyers in America.
President, Council of American Ambassadors

Director, Meridian International, Washington, DC

Director, National Museum of American History

Trustee, Center for the Study of the Presidency.

Trustee, Wesley Foundation

Trustee, Red Cloud Indian School

Advisory Member, Paladin Capital Fund

Member, American Bar Association.

Member, Federal Bar Association.

Member, District of Columbia Bar Association.

Member, California State Bar Association.

Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Member, Century City Bar Association.

Member, San Fernando Valley Bar Association.

Member, Board of Trustees, Grinnell College.

Past Chairman, International Foundation for Election Systems.

Past Chairman, Greater Washington Board of Trade’s International Business Council.

Former Director, National Boy Scouts

Former Trustee, Mayo Clinic Foundation

Former Chairman of the Board, George Washington University

Former Member, Board of Directors, Center for International Private Enterprise.

Former Member, Board of Directors, the Fund for Democracy and Development.

Former Member, Board of Trustees, Oak Value Fund.

Former Chairman, Democratic National Committee.

Co-Chairman, 1992 Clinton/Gore campaign.

Former Chairman, California/Southern California Democratic Party.

Former Chairman, Western States Conference Democratic Party.

Former Chairman, National Finance Council of the Party.

Former National Committeeman, California Democratic Party.

Former President, California Bankers Association.

Former Member, Government Relations Council.

Former Member, American Bankers Association Council.

Former Member, Board of Directors, GTE California (now Verizon).

Former Member, Board of Directors, Federal Express.

Former Member, Board of Directors, Comsat.

Former Member, Board of Directors, Los Angeles Performing Arts Council.

Former Chairman, Board of Counselors, University of Southern California School of Public Administration.

Former Member, Board of Governors, UCLA Foundation.

Former Member, Board of Governors, Iowa State University Foundation.

Former Chairman, Board of Visitors, Duke University Public Policy School.

Served in the U.S. Army, Quartermaster Corps JAG, 1958; and active duty, 1959-60. 

Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING, pursuant to New York DR 2-101(f)

© 2025 Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. All rights reserved.

Newsletter Subscription