Allen Matkins Prevails in High-Stakes Leasing Dispute Against Mission Housing

LOS ANGELES (Mar. 4, 2025) – Allen Matkins announced today that it secured a significant victory in the matter of Murkelley LLC v. Mission Housing Development Corporation.

Murkelley, LLC had master-leased premises in San Francisco’s Mission District to Mission Housing, which in turn subleased units to homeless veterans. However, at the end of the 10-year lease term, Mission Housing abruptly abandoned the premises and its subtenants—leaving the formerly homeless veterans in limbo and asserting it could walk away without consequences.

The San Francisco jury delivered a decisive verdict against Mission Housing, awarding a multi-million-dollar judgment. The jury found that Mission Housing, despite positioning itself as a non-profit organization with over 40 buildings, $300 million in assets, and a for-profit subsidiary managing its properties, had breached its lease agreement, could not abandon its contractual responsibilities, and remains a holdover tenant.

The case attracted significant local attention due to its complex interplay of federal, state, and local laws. Looking ahead, Allen Matkins anticipates recovering attorneys' fees and negotiating a resolution that ensures alternative, favorable housing for the veterans while also addressing ongoing claims related to Mission Housing’s continued breach of the lease.

The Allen Matkins team included: Michael Betz, Trey Marshall, Landon Dial, and Tim Terry.

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About Allen Matkins Law Firm

Allen Matkins, a law firm with more than 250 attorneys, was founded with deep roots in real estate and has leveraged that foundation to grow and build prominent litigation, corporate, tax, labor and employment, land use, and environmental practices allowing us to partner with clients across myriad industries and markets. For more than 45 years, Allen Matkins has worked with clients drawn to us by our reputation for market leading solutions, pragmatism, exemplary quality, approachability, and our unparalleled network of contacts and connections in business and government. For more information about Allen Matkins please visit www.allenmatkins.com.