Kevin Patrick Murphy

Kevin represents public and private companies on major real estate transactions, including construction, development, financing, leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, exchanges, zoning, and entitlements.

His practice also focuses on the negotiation of acquisitions, dispositions, buyouts, joint ventures, and corporate governance matters, as well as the representation of financial institutions and corporate borrowers in connection with commercial loan transactions.

In addition, Kevin represents marijuana business owners, individuals looking to enter the legal cannabis industry, and clients looking to effect change in marijuana laws and regulations.

Prior to joining Calfee in 2026, Kevin served for 17 years in various leadership roles with an Ohio-based law firm.

Honors & Recognitions

• Ohio Super Lawyers, Real Estate (2014-2026)
• The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate (2022-2026)
• Crain’s Cleveland Business, Forty Under 40 Honoree (2014)
• Irish Legal 100 (2021-2022)

Education

J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 2003

J.D., Trinity College School of Law, 2002

B.A., Creative Writing, Miami University, 2000

Experience

Kevin’s experience includes the following representative transactions completed during his tenure at former firms:

Real Estate

• Counseled a private developer in the acquisition, development, financing, and leasing of a residential, retail, entertainment and lifestyle center in Northeast Ohio.
• Represented developers in connection with New Markets and Historic Tax Credits.
• Represented the owner of a multi-phase waterfront revitalization development project in Cleveland.
• Represented a private developer in the preparation of a portfolio of 22 regional shopping centers for sale.
• Represented a public company in plant acquisitions and sales of plants in the following states: Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin, and in the following foreign jurisdictions: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, England, France, Mexico, Slovenia, South Africa, and Venezuela.

Financial Services

• Represented a regional port authority in connection with fixed-rate financing, structured leasing and infrastructure financing.
• Represented NYSE-listed banks, leading global investment banks, asset management firms, and life insurance companies on commercial loans, including whole loans, mezzanine loans and bridge loans.
• Represented a regional mutual bank on commercial loan transactions.
• Represented a private developer in connection with the formation of a real estate private equity fund.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures

• Represented one of the largest shopping center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in U.S. in connection with portfolio shopping center divestitures, outlet sales, site assemblage and acquisition/development projects, easements with covenants and restrictions (ECRs), joint ventures and unwinds, and various financing transactions.
• Counseled a global chemical company in connection with the sale of legacy properties, leasing matters and the acquisition and development of manufacturing, processing and warehousing facilities.
• Represented an NYSE-listed REIT in the acquisition of a national self-storage portfolio.
• Represented various joint ventures in the negotiation of joint venture and operating agreements.

Telecommunications and Right-of-Way

• Represented several national NYSE-listed cellular service providers in the preparation and negotiation of cell tower leases in the Midwest.

Professional & Community

• Cleveland Clinic Children’s Leadership Council, Member
• Cleveland Zoological Society, Board of Directors
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
• American Bar Association, Member
• Ohio State Bar Association, Member
• International Council of Shopping Centers, Member
• St. Ignatius High School Alumni Association, Member

Presentations

• “Real Estate & Cannabis: Financial Opportunity or Unmanageable Risk?” International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Law Conference, 2018
• Medical Marijuana Seminar, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, 2017
• “Exploring Public Easements, Utility Easements and Rights-of-Way,” HalfMoon Education Inc. seminar, 2013.