James L. "Jim" Murphy III

James L. "Jim" Murphy III


Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Recognized since 2007

Nashville, Tennessee

Practice Areas

Economic Development Law

Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law

Land Use and Zoning Law

Litigation - Land Use and Zoning

Municipal Law

Real Estate Law

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Municipal Law
Navigate to map location for James L. "Jim" Murphy III
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Economic Development Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Economic Development Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
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Jim focuses his practice on representing public and private sector clients in complex matters involving zoning, condemnation, economic incentives, elections, telecommunications, municipal law, environmental law and commercial real estate.

He assists clients in landfill development, obtaining economic incentives from state and local governments, locating cell towers, condemnations, election challenges, rezonings, annexation disputes and procurement challenges.

Jim practiced for 18 years in the legal department of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, serving as the Director of Law from 1993 to 1999. In his highly visible role with the City, Jim provided legal advice to the Mayor and Metro Council, along with other departments, boards and commissions. He counseled the Mayor and the Metro Council in regard to the economic development incentives for Opryland, Columbia/HCA, Thomas Nelson, Dell Computer Corporation, the establishment of the Sports Authority and the Hospital Authority in Nashville, the development of the downtown arena and the football stadium, and the leases with the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators. Jim also handled litigation involving constitutional rights, election law, zoning, condemnation and education law in state and federal courts.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 1221 Broadway, Suite 2400
    Nashville, TN 37203
Education
  • The University of Tennessee, J.D., graduated 1981
  • The University of Tennessee, BA, graduated 1977
Bar Admissions
  • Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Nashville Bar Association - Member
  • Nashville Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • Nashville Sports Council - Legal Counsel
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers - Member
  • Tennessee Bar Association - Member
  • University of Tennessee National Alumni Association - Legislative Advisory Committee

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Economic Development Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Economic Development Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Nashville (2025)
  • Municipal Law, Nashville (2025)
  • Economic Development Law, Nashville (2024)
  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Nashville (2024)
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Nashville (2022)
  • Municipal Law, Nashville (2022)
  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Nashville (2021)
  • Economic Development Law, Nashville (2018)
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Nashville (2016)
  • Municipal Law, Nashville (2015)
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Nashville (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Economic Development Law
  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Municipal Law
  • Real Estate Law
Special Focus:
  • Administrative
Awards:
  • Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers, Land Use/Zoning, 2011-2013
  • Listed in Nashville Post, "Nashville's 101 Top Lawyers," 2011
  • Listed in Nashville Business Journal “Best of the Bar," Real Estate Zoning/ Land Use, 2011-2012
  • Listed in Business Tennessee, "150 Best Lawyers," Zoning/Land Use, 2008, 2010
  • Listed in Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2008-2013
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Project Finance Law

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Publications

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