Rye P. Murphy

Rye Murphy is an associate in the Firm’s Government, Land Use, Environment and Energy (GLUEE) practice group.

Rye represents developers, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations in land use and real estate litigation, with a focus on matters involving the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), administrative writs of mandate, and public records disputes. His practice includes all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation evaluation through trial, arbitration, and enforcement of judgments and settlements.

Rye's litigation is consistently organized around the client's goals. Every move is weighed against the outcome that actually matters to them. That extends to the tools he uses—settlement tactics, procedural levers, and new technologies alike.

Before joining JMM, Rye handled complex land use and general liability disputes for local agencies and nonprofit clients throughout California. He has substantial experience managing discovery, drafting and arguing motions, preparing administrative records, and working directly with client leadership, including elected officials and governing boards. Rye has appeared in Superior Courts across the state and has experience in both state and federal litigation.

Rye’s background also includes representing clients in matters involving public entity liability, civil rights, real property, and contract disputes. He has served as lead or primary litigation attorney in arbitration proceedings and has experience handling complex, multi-party litigation.

Away from the office, Rye builds local AI tools, swims open water, and spends time with his family.

Representative Matters

Defended public agencies in complex land use and redevelopment disputes involving CEQA, the Housing Accountability Act, and related statutory frameworks, including preparing administrative records and arguing dispositive motions.
Served as primary litigation attorney in arbitration involving a large housing cooperative, successfully obtaining an early dispositive ruling and recovery of attorney’s fees.
Led trial preparation and conducted a multi-day arbitration involving environmental remediation and a purchase and sale agreement for contaminated property.
Represented developers and property owners in writ of mandate proceedings and public records matters arising from project entitlements and approvals.
Handled complex multi-party litigation, including strategy development, motion practice, and negotiation resulting in dismissal of significant portions of claims.

J.D., University of California, San Francisco College of the Law (Hastings)

B.A., University of Oregon

California State Bar
U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Orange County Bar Association