James F. Mannion

Mannion Prior founder and Managing Partner James F. Mannion concentrates his practice exclusively on Orphans’ Court litigation, and is recognized as a leading member of Pennsylvania’s Orphans’ Court Bar. His practice includes fiduciary litigation, will contests, trust disputes, estate litigation, guardianship proceedings and litigation, fee and commission disputes, and non-profit/charitable litigation.

James has successfully litigated at the trial and appellate court levels. He has served as lead counsel on numerous cases of first impression, including the first reported decision recognizing a claim for tortious interference with an inheritance under Pennsylvania law.

James’ many publications include The Presumption of Undue Influence and the Shifting Burden of Proof, cited and relied upon by judges throughout Pennsylvania.

He lectures frequently on fiduciary litigation and Orphans’ Court matters, and has served as an expert witness in fiduciary litigation matters.

HONORS

• The Best Lawyers in America ©, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2012, 2018 & 2024

• Martindale Hubble AV® Preeminent™ Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

• The Best Lawyers in America ©, Litigation, 2011 – Present

• The Best Lawyers in America ©, Trusts & Estates, 2003 – Present

• Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer,” Trusts & Estate Litigation, 2004 – Present

AFFILIATIONS

• Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, Civil Trial Division, Civil Case Hearing Officer

  1. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow

  2. ACTEC Fiduciary Litigation Committee and Attorney Malpractice Subcommittee, 2002 – 2020

  3. Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission Advisory Committee on Decendent’s Estate Laws

  4. Joint State Subcommittee on Orphans’ Court Matters

  5. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee, Deputy Counsel, 2006 – 2018

  6. Pennsylvania Bar Association

  7. Philadelphia Bar Association

     • Probate & Trust Law Section

  8. Montgomery County Bar Association

     • Bench Bar Executive Committee

     • Former Director

     • Former Rules of Orphans’ Court Committee Co-Chair

BAR ADMISSIONS

• Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania

• United States Tax Court
  

  
  
  
  
  

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• Smith, Aker, Grossman & Hollinger

  • Estate planning, estate and trust administration, fiduciary litigation.

• Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP

  • Estate planning, estate and trust administration, fiduciary litigation, guardianships, emergency medical treatment litigation for hospital clients.

• Dilworth Paxon Kalish & Kauffman (Now Dilworth Paxson, LLP)

  • Estate planning, estate administration, estate and trust litigation.

EDUCATION

• L.L.M. in Taxation 1993, Charles Widger School of Law, Villanova University

• J.D. 1990, The George Washington University National Law Center

• B.B.A. 1987, Pace University