John C. Murphy

Managing partner John Murphy, among the most recognized and successful figures in California eminent domain, focuses his practice exclusively on eminent domain, inverse condemnation and other complex jury trials. He has earned a state-wide and an emerging national reputation representing a wide variety of public agencies, corporations, and landowners.

Mr. Murphy and his firm have earned the largest owners’ awards in California for each of the past several years. These awards amount to well over $300 million over the past ten years.

He has served as lead trial counsel in numerous significant, successful jury trials. He speaks regularly on eminent domain issues throughout the country, and his cases have garnered significant press coverage. He has been the subject of three Los Angeles Daily Journal profiles and has been featured on the cover of both Verdicts and Settlements and the Daily Journal. Mr. Murphy’s jury victories include one of the largest verdicts ($14.6 million) ever obtained in Marin County Superior Court. Recent victories earned by Mr. Murphy for landowner clients include a $23 million award (2021); a $48 million award (2019); a $42.7 million award (2015) and a $15.4 million award (2013).

Mr. Murphy has been chosen repeatedly for inclusion in the definitive legal directory, Best Lawyers in America – – most recently for 2024 – – in two practice areas: eminent domain law and real estate law. From 2006 – 2024, the Los Angeles Times has featured Mr. Murphy in its articles, “Southern California’s Best Lawyers.”  Los Angeles magazine has listed him repeatedly in Southern California Super Lawyers. Orange Coast magazine has included him for years (2007 – 2024) in its feature, “Top Attorneys in Orange County.”

Best Lawyers in America, the nation’s oldest and most respected legal peer-review publication, honored Mr. Murphy in 2012 as its “Orange County Litigation – Real Estate Lawyer of The Year.” Mr. Murphy was also named one of the “Top 50 in Orange County” lawyers for 2012 by Southern California’s Super Lawyers magazine.

Beginning in 2017, Mr. Murphy was appointed to the Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association Real Property Law Section. Beginning in 2006, Mr. Murphy has been designated a Fellow of the American Bar Association. He has been continuously accorded an “AV-Preeminent” rating by Martindale Hubbell. 

Over the past ten years, Mr. Murphy has spoken at numerous seminars and programs, most recently in March 2023 at the annual CLE International Conference on Eminent Domain on “New Legal Developments: The Year in Review.” In just the past few years, he has spoken at several American Law Institute - American Bar Association (“ALI-ABA”) National Eminent Domain Conferences, including conferences in Arizona, Florida, San Diego, Palm Springs and Nashville. He has also addressed International Right-of-Way ("IRWA") annual conventions throughout the country, including presentations in Connecticut, West Virginia, Washington and Georgia. 

Mr. Murphy has served for over 20 years as the co-chairman of the annual CLE International Southern California Conference on Eminent Domain. He has spoken frequently at Appraisal Institute seminars, and authored an article published in the Appraisal Journal.

Mr. Murphy also authored the chapter on condemnation for the California Continuing Education of the Bar treatise, Ground Lease Practice. He also authored a chapter in one of the American Bar Association’s leading text books on expert witnesses, Litigators on Experts. 

Mr. Murphy has managed, or played a lead role in, several major public agency acquisition projects. These agencies include:

·      Orange County Flood Control District (2008 - Present)

·      Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (2013 - Present)

·      Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (2003 – 2015)

·      Orange County Transportation Corridor Agencies (1996 – 2007)

·      Riverside County (2007 – Present)

·      Riverside County Economic Development Agency (2003 – Present)

·      San Diego Unified Port District (2015 – 2018)

·      City of Los Angeles Department of Airports (LAWA) (2004 – 2007)

·      Orange County Transportation Corridor Agencies (1996 – 2007)

·      City of Newport Beach (2007 – 2008); and

·      Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (1998 – 2003).

Mr. Murphy is the former president of Chapter 67 of the International Right of Way Association (2000) and former member of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Bar Foundation. He is a past President of the Warren J. Ferguson Chapter of the American Inns of Court and has served on the Board of Visitors of the Chapman University Law School. He is also a member of Lambda Alpha, and an affiliate member of the Appraisal Institute.

Mr. Murphy received his J.D. from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law in 1980; and his B.A., with honors, from the University of California, Riverside in 1976.

Representative Recent Matters - Landowner Focus

San Diego Association of Governments v. 8650 Villa La Jolla, Inc. – Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the Florida State Teachers’ Pension fund and 8650 Villa La Jolla, Inc., owners of a large shopping center in La Jolla. SANDAG sought to build an entirely new trolley station and multi-story enclosed parking garage on the Firm’s clients’ property. After successfully shepherding the ownership through years of complex construction coordination, the Firm earned its clients a $23 million award - - more than double SANDAG’s estimate of compensation. 

Nyenhuis Family Investments, LLC v. County of San Bernardino – Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the Nyenhuis Family - - owners of a 60-acre dairy farm in Chino - - in an inverse condemnation action against the County of San Bernardino relating to expansion of the Chino Airport. After the Firm successfully compelled the County to concede liability, our team achieved an arbitration victory of nearly $48 million in just compensation, plus a substantial attorneys’ fees award for the family.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Gillis Family Partnership – Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the Gillis family against the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (“Authority”) in connection with the Authority’s taking of a large office building in Century City. Before being displaced, a large bank leased a portion of the building and the Gillis family operated a cutting-edge medical laboratory in other portions of the building. Murphy & Evertz earned an award of $53.5 million for the building and improvements.

City of Lake Forest v. Alexander S. Rados, Trustee – Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the landowner in an eminent domain action brought by the City of Lake Forest. The City condemned the Rados Family’s property - - a little over 13 acres - - for a new sports park. The City valued just compensation for the expert exchange at $6.665 million. The Firm successfully challenged this valuation. The case settled one week before trial for $15.4 million.

3187 Redhill LLC, M2 Freeway LLC; ICC LLC v. The People of the State of California, acting by and through the Department of Transportation – Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the landowner of a multi-tenant business park consisting of eight buildings and 70 suites in an inverse condemnation action against Caltrans. The firm’s client claimed that as a result of Caltrans’ unreasonable pre-condemnation conduct and unreasonable delay, it lost tenants and potential tenants, could not sell the property, and lost rent. Caltrans denied any wrongdoing. Murphy & Evertz succeeded in earning its client an award of $38 million, and also an award of lost rent.

The People of the State of California, acting by and through the Department of Transportation v. Roll Properties LLC and Carmenita SFS Property LLC – Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the owners of a large, 210,271 square foot business park with 62 tenants in Santa Fe Springs on the Interstate 5 freeway. After establishing the necessity for a full take, the Firm negotiated a $25.5 million sales price, while preserving the client’s ability to seek substantial additional precondemnation damages and reimbursement of environmental remediation offsets. 

Las Galinas Valley Sanitation District v. Silveira, et al. – Murphy & Evertz LLP attorneys represented a long-time Marin County dairy rancher in a complex condemnation jury trial. The condemning agency's pre-litigation offer was $650,000. The jury verdict amounted to $14.6 million, which was the largest condemnation verdict in the state for 2000, and one of the largest verdicts of any kind in Marin County. Client also won a substantial litigation expense award.

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) v. PPF Industrial – Murphy & Evertz LLP represented Morgan Stanley/PPF Industrial, the owner of a 28.6-acre multi-tenant industrial business park. BART condemned the property for the Hayward Maintenance Yard Project. BART initially deposited $35,000,000. The case settled for total just compensation of $42.7 million.

Fresno Unified School District v. International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, et al. - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented a local Fresno congregation, and it’s Pastor against the District. The District condemned the church’s property for a new elementary school. The District initially offered $410,000. The case settled for total just compensation of $1,350,000. 

People of the State of California, by and through the Department of Transportation v. Calvary Deaf Church and the Southern California Assemblies of God - Murphy & Evertz LLP won a $ 4.6 million settlement, just one week before a scheduled three week jury trial for the defendant congregation and denomination. Caltrans had previously offered no more than $ 1.6 million and had planned to argue at trial for a $ 770,000 value. The final settlement of 4.6 Million is well more than five times this figure.

People of the State of California, by and through the Department of Transportation v. International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, et al. - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the congregation of the oldest church in Orange County in a complex, multi-phase condemnation jury trial. The Agency's pre-litigation offer was $726,000. The verdict and award of litigation expenses totaled $1.9 million.

People of the State of California by and through the Department of Transportation v. Plaza Covina et al. - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented Westfield in an eminent domain action brought by Caltrans. Westfield owned a freeway-prominent 11,258 square-foot retail pad in the City of West Covina. Caltrans sought a full-take of the property for its I-10 high-occupancy vehicle lane project. Caltrans’ initial offer was $3,136,000. The firm earned an award of $7.8 Million, plus costs in the amount of $10,925.

Riverside County Transportation Commission v. Ostlund - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the landowner in an eminent domain action brought by the Riverside County Transportation Commission. The Ostlund Family owned a parcel totaling 20,909 square feet and improved with a commercial/industrial building. RCTC’s initial offer to the Ostlund Family was $1,117,000. RCTC ultimately agreed to pay the Ostlund Family $2.1 million.

Riverside County Transportation Commission v. 2410 Wardlow Property, LLC, et al. - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the landowner of a 4.73 acre parcel improved with eleven freeway-frontage retail and showroom suites. The property also enjoyed a 40-foot tall pylon sign with double-faced digital marquee, which provided freeway-visible advertising space for the property and its tenants. RCTC sought to condemn portions of the property for its SR-91 widening project. RCTC initially offered $1,111,000. The case settled before trial for $4.7 million. 

San Bernardino County Transportation Commission v. Arrowhead Central Credit Union - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the Arrowhead Central credit Union in an eminent domain action brought by the San Bernardino County Transportation Commission. SBCTC sought to condemn a portion of the property for the construction of the Downtown San Bernardino Passenger Rail Project. SBCTC valued total compensation to Arrowhead at $1,184,811. The firm earned its client $2,070,000. 

Budget Inn (Santa Fe Springs) adv. Caltrans - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the owner of a 105 room budget motel. Caltrans’ initial offer for a part take was $84,000. Mr. Murphy won a settlement of $4.6 million for his clients.

People of the State of California, by and through the Department of Transportation v. Altmans, et al. - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the owner of an RV dealership on Interstate 10 freeway at Baldwin Avenue. The condemning agency, Caltrans, initially offered $958,000. The case settled one week before the jury trial was to begin for total compensation of $7.85 million for his client.

City of La Puente Redevelopment Agency v. Gudzunas, et al. - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the owner of a three acre retail shopping mall developed in the 1950s. The condemning agency, the City of La Puente Redevelopment Agency, initially offered $3.55 million. Mr. Murphy negotiated a lost rent agreement which insulated our client from any loss of income during the litigation. The case then settled on the eve of jury trial for total compensation of $6.2 million to our client.

People of the State of California, by and through the Department of Transportation v. Canyon Springs LLC - Mr. Murphy represented landowner Canyon Springs LLC. Caltrans offered $1.1 million for 3.79 acres of land near the I-215/State Route 60 interchange. The case settled one week before trial for $3.8 million.

Paramount Unified School District v. McLane Manufacturing, Inc., et al. - Mr. Murphy represented manufacturer, the largest employer in the City of Paramount, in a condemnation matter. Awarded $5.58 million, more than twice the school district's original $2.2 million offer.

Representative Matters - Public Agency Focus

County of Inyo v. City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power – Murphy & Evertz LLP represented LADWP against the County of Inyo in this high profile set of three cases, which earned substantial publicity. The Los Angeles Times featured the cases on its front page. The County sought to condemn three landfill sites owned by LADWP. The Firm has filed three motions for summary judgment. Once granted, the Firm will have prevailed on behalf of LADWP, and successfully contested the County’s right-to-take.

Orange County Flood Control District – SCE Relocation Disputes – Murphy & Evertz LLP is representing the County concerning utility facility relocations affecting SCE involving potentially over $100 million.

Stueve Farms adv. County of Orange - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented the County of Orange in an inverse condemnation action brought by a large residential developer seeking up to $60 million in compensation. Our demurrer was sustained without leave to amend. Plaintiff subsequently dismissed its appeal.

Vander Dussen adv. Orange County Flood Control District - Murphy & Evertz LLP represented Orange County Flood Control District in the acquisition of a large, operating dairy. The final acquisition price - - over $30 million - - was less than the initial agency appraisal.

Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency v. Griswold, et al. - Mr. Murphy represented the condemning public agency. After nearly one month of trial, the court adopted our arguments that no substantial interference with access occurred. The case settled soon thereafter.

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority v. Calmat Company, et al. - Mr. Murphy represented the condemning public agency in a case where opponent sought close to $5 million for loss of business goodwill. Settled case for $2.5 million 1 week before trial.

San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency v. Costco Wholesale Corporation - Mr. Murphy represented the condemning public agency in this two week condemnation trial. Won key motions to exclude testimony. The case settled for the amount of the agency's initial offer.

Los Angeles Unified School District v. McNeill - Mr. Murphy represented the condemning public agency. the firm settled a six figure claim for lost business goodwill for $25,000 after expert depositions, two weeks before trial. 

Professional Affiliations

American Inns of Court, Warren J. Ferguson Inn, President (2005-2006); Vice President (2004-2005); Treasurer (2003);

Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2006-present)

International Right-of-Way Association - Chapter 67, President (2000); President-Elect (1999); Executive Board (1996-Present); Newsletter Editor (1996-1998); Member (1993-Present)

International Right-of-Way – Chapters 57, 67 and 1

Lambda Alpha (Honorary Real Estate Fraternity)

Orange County Bar Foundation (Board of Directors)

Appraisal Institute, Affiliate

Orange County Superior Court, Arbitrator (1985-2008)

Chapman University Law School, Board of Visitors (2003-2011)

Recognition 

Featured in the definitive legal directory, "Best Lawyers in America," from 2006 - 2024 in two categories: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, and Real Estate Law. 

Featured in Southern California Super Lawyers from 2006 – 2024 for Land Use/Zoning, Real Estate, Business Litigation.

Featured in Los Angeles magazine from 2007 – 2024 as Southern California "Super Lawyer" for Real Estate Law.

Featured in the November, 2007 - 2024 Los Angeles Times article, “Southern California’s Best Lawyers.”

Featured in Orange Coast Magazine “Top Attorneys In Orange County” from 2006 – 2024 for Land Use/Zoning.

Selected for the "Best Lawyers in America" annual guide to Real Estate Law, published in the June 2019 issue of Corporate Counsel magazine.

Elected a Fellow of the American Bar Association in 2006.

Martindale Hubbell® AV “Pre-eminent” Rating.