Jonathan (“Jon”) Murphy
Jon advises corporate and non-profit clients on matters ranging from capital raising and buying, selling and financing transactions to corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Clients value Jon’s ability to navigate the complex legal landscapes they encounter in both the corporate and non-profit sectors.
Biography
Jon joined BLM&H in 2025 as a Senior Associate in the Corporate and Securities, and Non-Profit and Tax-Exempt Organizations practice groups. Prior to joining BLM&H, Jon practiced at a regional law firm for nearly seven years. Jon represents a diverse set of clients ranging from large corporations and corporate private foundations to early-stage startups and grass roots public charities. In addition to his corporate and securities, and non-profit practice, Jon has authored numerous pieces of state legislation on behalf of clients and enjoys working at the intersection of law and public policy.
Before becoming an attorney, Jon served as the executive director of an international nonprofit that partnered with community leaders to deliver adult education and community development opportunities throughout Eastern and Central Africa, where he lived for nearly five years.
Jon received his J.D. from Washington and Lee School of Law, where he served as his class President and graduated magna cum laude. He graduated from Liberty University summa cum laude after completing his Bachelors degree online while living and working in Uganda. Jon also completed a Biblical Studies and Theology program through The Master’s University.
He enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and two dogs.
Experience
Non-Profit and Tax-Exempt Organizations:
Represented one of the largest corporate foundations in the United States in its establishment and operation of a program-related investment program.
Assisted in strategic planning and capitalization for an educational non-profit that was subsequently able to secure over $50M in donations from Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies.
Guided a national non-profit through resolution of complex excess benefit transaction matters.
Represented a non-profit in securing reinstatement of revoked tax-exempt status as a result of failing to timely file Form 990s.
Assisted an international non-profit in its formation, application for tax-exemption, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Advised a local community foundation in the establishment of a mission-related investing program.
Guided a public charity through a wide range of matters, including negotiating contracts, IRS compliance, employee matters, charitable solicitation and charitable gift annuity registration, intellectual property management, and Form 990 and 990T questions.
Advised both small and large private foundations (assets in excess of $150 million) on IRS compliance and a complete range of legal matters.
Formed and exempted, and regularly advised, social welfare and action organizations (described in § 501(c)(4)), business associations (501(c)(6)), and disregarded LLCs.
Corporate and Securities:
Represented an early-stage startup in their licensure of intellectual property for commercialization and guided them through their formation and capitalization.
Guided a company through crowdfunding securities exemption compliance and prepared related legal documentation.
Advised a startup accelerator and incubator program in its formation, capitalization, and regulatory compliance.
Formed and structured a company for scale and assisted it through each facet of its growth.
Represented a manufacturing company through its acquisition for over $20M and assisted its leadership in navigating restrictive covenants and representation and warranty insurance matters.
Legislative:
Advised a Fortune 500 company in its broadband expansion efforts, assisted the company in navigating federal regulations and funding opportunities, and drafted state legislation to facilitate the same.
Drafted legislation that leveraged state tax credits and other incentives to encourage private investment in innovation-focused economic development, resulting in non-profits securing over $100M in state tax credit-funded donations.
Drafted legislation that incentivized private investment in improving vacant industrial sites for commercial development.
Partnered with a consortium of entities to develop and draft workforce development legislation that was designed to use tax credits to incentivize employer-funded child care and provide additional incentives for child care facility owners to improve the affordability and quality of child care.
Drafted legislation to encourage private investments in film and music production.
Identified 2023 changes in the federal New Market Tax Credit low-income community census tracts that would be detrimental to clients and drafted amendments to state statutes in order to preserve state tax incentives that encouraged private investment in these communities.
Publications, Presentations & Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Corporate Law (2025)
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Government Relations Practice (2025)
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Nonprofit / Charities Law (2025)
- Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars (2024)
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Corporate Law (2024)
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Government Relations Practice (2024)
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Nonprofit / Charities Law (2024)
- Birmingham Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 (2022)
- Birmingham Business Journal NextGenBHM “Top Winner” Industry Award (2021)
- Birmingham Business Journal Rising Star of the Law (2020)
- Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, Member
- “Do Good or Make Money? Now Alabama Entrepreneurs Can Do Both”, AL.com (2021) (republished by Investor News)
Professional and Civic Activities
- The Vine Partnerships, Co-founder & Chair
- Journal of Small Business & Enterprise Development, Advisory Board Member
- The Nabers Charitable Foundation, Advisor
- East African Christian College, Advisor