Charles Manatt
Charles Manatt | |
---|---|
Hans H. Hertell | |
Chairman of the Democratic National Committee | |
In office February 27, 1981 – February 1, 1985 | |
Preceded by | John C. White |
Succeeded by | Paul G. Kirk |
Personal details | |
Born | Chicago, Illinois | June 9, 1936
Died | July 22, 2011 Richmond, Virginia | (aged 75)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Kathleen Manatt (m. 1957) |
Children | 3 (Michele Anne, Timothy Taylor, Daniel Charles) |
Alma mater | Iowa State University George Washington University Law School |
Occupation | Lawyer, Politician |
Website | www.manatt.com |
Charles Taylor Manatt (June 9, 1936 – July 22, 2011
Manatt was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1981 to 1985. In those years, he supervised and directed the
Manatt was a former chair of the board of directors of the International Foundation of Election Systems. He and his wife Kathleen established the Manatt Democracy Studies Fellowship Program in 1998.
Manatt died on July 22, 2011, at the age of 75.
Early life
Family
Manatt was born on June 9, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois. Son of William Price Manatt, and Lucille Taylor Manatt, the younger of two boys alongside Richard P. Manatt. Although born in Chicago, he grew up in Audubon, Iowa, helping his father, a farmer, care for the family farm. His mother was a school teacher and later a homemaker. He attended elementary, middle and high school in Audubon. In his sophomore year, he began dating Kathy Klinkefus, who later became his wife.
Education
In 1954, Manatt began studying at
Foundation of the law firm
In 1965, while living in Los Angeles, Manatt founded the Manatt law firm with his long-time friend and colleague Thomas Phelps, a banking and finance attorney. He began his legal career focusing on banking and financial services. In 1976, Mickey Kantor joined the firm and his name was added to the letterhead, until his departure in 1993. L. Lee Phillips, an entertainment lawyer, joined the firm in 1977, and became a named partner soon after. For its founding location, the firm headquarters are in Los Angeles. Over time, offices were opened in 8 different cities, primarily in California but also in New York and Washington D.C.
In 2007, the law firm was employing 380 attorneys. It was founded as a general practice and now incorporates
$242 million.During his years in Los Angeles, Manatt served as president of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.
National political life
In 1981, Manatt became the national chairman of the
In 1987, he chaired Illinois Sen.
Manatt served as ambassador to the Dominican Republic from 1999 to 2001, representing the government of President Bill Clinton.
Personal life
Manatt married Kathleen (Kathy) Klinkefus on December 29, 1957, in Audubon, Iowa. They then moved to Washington, D.C., where they had their first child, Michele. The family then moved to Los Angeles, where they had two boys, Timothy and Daniel. The family moved back to
Later life
At the time of his death, Manatt resided in Washington, D.C., where he helped run and work at his law firm, and was engaged in numerous civic activities. He served on various boards of directors, including that of FedEx, the Mayo Clinic, and George Washington University. Manatt sat on the Council on American Politics, which brings together leaders from across the nation to address issues facing the growth and enrichment of the Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University.
He had a granddaughter and grandson, Victoria, and Patrick, the children of his daughter Michele Manatt, a former
Awards and honors
In 1983, Manatt was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree from Whittier College.[3]
Death
Charles Manatt died at age 75 on the evening of July 22, 2011 in Richmond, Virginia, after prolonged illness and hospitalization.[4]
References
- ^ Shaila Dewan (July 23, 2011). "Charles Manatt, Former Democratic National Chairman, Dies at 75". The New York Times.
- ^ "Charles Manatt, former DNC chair, dies at 75 - Mike Allen". Politico.Com. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
- ^ "Honorary Degrees | Whittier College". www.whittier.edu. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ Barabak, Mark (July 23, 2011). "Charles T. Manatt, Democratic Party leader and diplomat, dies at 75". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-07-23.