John Michael Manos

John Michael Manos (December 8, 1922 – July 6, 2006) was a United States federal judge for 30 years.

Manos was born to Maria and Michael E. Manos on December 8, 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in the Tremont neighborhood. Like many Depression-era Cleveland kids, he worked odd jobs at the West Side Market. He attended Cleveland Public Schools and graduated from Lincoln High School. He went on to Case Institute of Technology, where he was quarterback and captain of the football team. He graduated from Case in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Metallurgy.

He was in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945. Once he returned, he attended Cleveland Law School, which would be renamed Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. During this time, Manos worked as assistant plant manager at the Lake City Malleable Iron Company. He was a member of Delta Theta Phi and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternities. He received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1950.

He was in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio from 1950 to 1963. He was a Law director, City of Bay Village, Ohio from 1954 to 1956. He was an Industries representative, Cleveland Regional Board of Review, Ohio from 1956 to 1959. Judge, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Ohio,1963-1969. He was a judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals, Ohio from 1969 to 1976.

Manos was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Manos was nominated by President Gerald Ford on March 17, 1976, to a seat vacated by Ben Charles Green. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 26, 1976, and received his commission on March 29, 1976.

In 1981, Manos ruled that oil company Mobil's $6.5 billion offer to acquire Marathon Oil would violate federal antitrust laws. Manos made another landmark ruling in 1998 case of O'Brien v. Westlake City Schools Board of Education, which related to the internet and student rights.

Manos assumed senior status on April 1, 1991. Manos served until his death on July 6, 2006 in Lakewood, Ohio.

Manos was married to the former Viola Chevako. They had four children: Donna (Manos) Uebler, Christine (Manos) McLaughlin, Michael and Keith.

Manos was a pillar in the Cleveland Greek community. He established a college scholarship program for local Greek students. One of the recipients was George Stephanopoulos, who had promised his father that he would eventually attend law school. He also mentored numerous other young lawyers, including current Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O'Donnell, who clerked for Manos.