Michael I. Kehoe - Irvine, CA

Championing Property Owners in Eminent Domain and Condemnation

When local municipalities, state transport agencies, or utility authorities move to take private property for public works, affected parties must find an attorney equipped to challenge aggressive valuations and protect their constitutional rights. Michael I. Kehoe is a partner at Palmieri, Hennessey and Leifer, LLP, widely recognized among the foremost business and real estate lawyers serving Irvine and Southern California. He counsels private landowners, publicly traded corporations, commercial developers, and residential property owners, securing settlements and verdicts that frequently exceed initial government offers by hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Practice Areas and Litigation Services

Property disputes demand the combined skill of seasoned commercial real estate lawyers and business litigation lawyers who can orchestrate complex expert testimonies, forensic appraisals, and multi-party negotiations. Michael I. Kehoe provides comprehensive counsel across a diverse spectrum of practice areas, including:

• Eminent Domain Proceedings: Assisting property owners through all phases of government takings, ensuring clients receive just compensation for land value, property improvements, and severance damages.
• Inverse Condemnation: Litigating against government agencies when public projects inflict direct damage, flooding, erosion, or access disruption on private real estate without compensation.
• Commercial Lease Valuations and Rent Renewals: Representing landlords and tenants in lease rate disputes, renewal arbitrations, and long-term ground lease valuations.
• Land Use Rights and Zoning Entitlements: Defending commercial clients in municipal code enforcement matters, permit challenges, conditional use permits, and local entitlement hearings.
• Contract Enforcement and Business Litigation: Providing assertive advocacy as knowledgeable contract lawyers in corporate disagreements, partnership conflicts, and real estate transaction breaches.
• Environmental Contamination and Construction Litigation: Managing property liability disputes involving hazardous materials, developer defects, and environmental regulatory compliance.

Exceptional Background and Trial Preparation

Michael I. Kehoe graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, where he earned Order of the Coif honors and the Moot Court Distinguished Advocate Award, following his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. After serving as a judicial extern in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, he dedicated his career to property rights and civil litigation. At Palmieri, Hennessey and Leifer, LLP, he takes charge of trial strategy, collaborating with top-tier appraisers, civil engineers, and economic analysts to demonstrate the full economic impact of governmental takings and commercial breaches.

Why Real Estate Owners Hire Michael I. Kehoe

When faced with an unexpected notice of condemnation or a contentious commercial real estate conflict, having dedicated trial counsel makes a substantial difference. Clients who need to hire a lawyer for property valuation or inverse condemnation trust Michael I. Kehoe for his meticulous preparation and demonstrated ability to resolve cases favorably even when liability is heavily contested. Prospective clients seeking elite legal representation in Orange County and across California are encouraged to contact the Irvine office to schedule an initial consultation and review their strategic options.