John Cranley

Mr. Cranley practices in the Bond & Municipal Finance area.  The focus of his practice is complex public-private finance, where he has extensive experience with tax increment finance, New Markets Tax Credits and bonds.  Mr. Cranley has performed professional legal services for clients such as 3CDC, Al. Neyer, Inc., Neyer Properties, Macy's, First Financial and Cincinnati State.  Mr. Cranley helped orchestrate the $35 Million renovation of the Vernon Manor in a project that combined TIF, bonds and New Markets Tax Credits.  Mr. Cranley also led the conversion of private taxable bonds issued for the renovation of Fountain Square into tax exempt bonds on behalf of 3CDC.

Prior to joining Keating Muething & Klekamp, Mr. Cranley served eight years on Cincinnati City Council, which is the maximum allowed by law. In December 2000, he was appointed to fill a vacated seat on City Council, serving until November 2001, when he was elected to City Council for a two-year term. He subsequently won re-election in 2003, 2005 and 2007. From 2001-2008, Mr. Cranley served as chair of the Finance Committee, and in 2003, he was instrumental in creating Tax Increment Finance Districts in Cincinnati, which have led to increased economic development in the city. As Councilman, Mr. Cranley also served on the following committees: Arts, Culture, Tourism and Marketing; Economic Development; Law and Public Safety; and the Transportation and Infrastructure sub-committee.

Since 2008, Mr. Cranley has been working on a mixed-use commercial and residential project in the Incline District of East Price Hill, which will include a 20,000 square foot medical office building, a new restaurant overlooking downtown and a residential community.

In addition to his work on City Council, Mr. Cranley was the founder and co-director of the Ohio Innocence Project at the University of Cincinnati College of Law (2002-2006), which, through the use of DNA-technology, has exonerated three innocent men. During that time, he was also an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Awards & Recognitions

• Endorsed by The Cincinnati Enquirer for election to Congress in 2006 and City Council in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007
• Distinguished Public Service Award, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, 2004
• First Class Marshal, Harvard Law School Class of 1999; graduation speaker
• Truman Scholar, 1995

News

• Keating Muething & Klekamp Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Green Township Alleging HUD/CMHA Agreement That Singles Out Green Township Is Illegal

Speaking Engagements

• KMK Legal Update Seminar, December 9, 2009

Mentioned & Quoted

• Bond Market Gets Remedy, The Business Courier of Cincinnati, July 3, 2009

Professional and Community Involvement

• Cincinnati Bar Association
• Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist, Board Member (appointed by Governor Strickland)
• Project GRAD, Board Member
• Mercy Health Partners, Board Member
• Ohio Innocence Project, Founder and Co-Director (2002-2006)
• NAIOP - Cincinnati
• ULI - Cincinnati
• CREW - Cincinnati
• Active Participant in Annual Reznick New Markets Tax Credit Conference