Jedediah Mannis

Attorney · Yale Law School

Before his retirement, the late Jedediah Mannis had more than 30 years of legal experience as a member of the Massachusetts Bar. His practice emphasized administrative, real estate, zoning, subdivision, and environmental law, with a special emphasis on limited development and land preservation.

Law practice. Mr. Mannis also did appellate work before the Massachusetts Appellate Court and had an active motions and administrative law practice. He appeared before planning boards, conservation commissions, and other municipal boards and agencies in over 30 towns. His clients included homeowners, citizen advocates, other individuals, small corporations, and general and limited partnerships.

Environmental contributions. Mr. Mannis also served for many years as the executive director of the Shelter Island Fund, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving forest land, wildlife habitats, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive open space through the limited development of otherwise fully developable land.

Education and authorship. Mr. Mannis graduated from Yale Law School in 1969 and from the Harvard Divinity School in 2004. He is the author of Bound to be a Soldier: The Civil War Letters of James T. Miller, Biography of Rev. Joseph Tuckerman, Unitarian Universalist Biographical Dictionary, and Joseph Tuckerman and the Outdoor Church. He was an adjunct instructor in theology at the Boston University School of Theology.

Articles By Jedediah Mannis

Can Neighbors Stop Me From Building Home on Vacant Land Because Their View Will Be Blocked?
Make sure your neighbors won't have cause to complain -- or worse -- about how your new construction has blocked their view.
Zoning Rules Changed After I Bought House: Can I Still Add On?
What happens when your long-planned improvements suddenly don't fit within local zoning allowances.
Should I Buy the Vacant Lot Next to My Property?
Depending on zoning and other considerations, you might be able to enhance the value of your property or create new buildable space by buying land that adjoins your own.
Contractor Does Lousy Work, Files Mechanics' Lien for Nonpayment: Now What?
You say the contractor doesn't deserve payment, but now the contractor has put a lien on your house: What's next?
My Tree Fell on Neighbor's Garage: Who Pays?
Who is responsible, when your tree, or a branch from your tree, falls on your neighbor’s garage or fence or shed and causes serious damage?
My Home Contractor Isn't Finishing the Job: What Can I Do?
When a remodeling or construction project is delayed long-term because of the contractor's inaction, what can a homeowner do?
Laws That Affect Building a Home by the Beach
Planning to build a house on the ocean or other shoreline? Special laws and regulations could limit your building plans and procedures for getting approval.
Why Financing the Construction of a New Home Could Involve More Than One Loan
An overview of the types of loans most buyers of vacant land use for purchase and construction.
Neighbors and Fruit Trees
Who gets to pick the fruit—including off the ground, over the property line?
Should We Make a Title Insurance Claim Over a Boundary Dispute? How?
Contact your title insurance company if you're in a neighbor dispute about fundamental ownership issues like property lines.