You can do this my changing the layer in the Property Manager (or the Property Toolbar).
Adding this functionality in the Layer Manager will add some other complexities such as the user clicking on the layer not realising it was going to edit his data properties. Basically, you would not be able to pick layers in the Layer Manager unless you had no selection if you didn't want to change layers.
Unless it's an additional option within the Layer Manager, but then it's something that needs to be run (probably needs 2 clicks), in which case the Property Manager is probably easier.
You can do this my changing the layer in the Property Manager (or the Property Toolbar).
Adding this functionality in the Layer Manager will add some other complexities such as the user clicking on the layer not realising it was going to edit his data properties. Basically, you would not be able to pick layers in the Layer Manager unless you had no selection if you didn't want to change layers.
Unless it's an additional option within the Layer Manager, but then it's something that needs to be run (probably needs 2 clicks), in which case the Property Manager is probably easier.