J. Cliff McKinney

  • Undergrad School: Baylor University (B.A.)
  • Graduate School: University of Arkansas (M.P.A.); Southern Methodist University (LL.M., emphasizing land use, real estate and business financing)
  • Law School: University of Arkansas School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
Headshot of J. Cliff McKinney
Firm: Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC
111 Center Street
Suite 1900
Little Rock AR 72201
United States

Cliff McKinney is a transactional attorney at Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC. His primary practice is real estate law and business and regulatory matters related to real estate. A Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and a Fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Mr. McKinney is listed with The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Real Estate Law and Land Use and Zoning Law, is recognized by Chambers USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as Band 1 in the area of Real Estate and selected as a Mid-South Super Lawyer in the area of Real Estate by Super Lawyers. He was named the Little Rock Lawyer of the Year – Land Use and Zoning Law by Best Lawyers® in 2020 and 2022 and is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. McKinney has served as lead counsel on dozens of multi-million dollar transactions throughout the mid-South region. He also represents restaurant owners, including franchisees of national chains.

As part of his real estate practice, Mr. McKinney assists clients with financing, business organization, environmental, and land use issues. He assists clients through the regulatory process, including obtaining zoning changes and other governmental approvals. He has extensive experience assisting clients in obtaining appropriate business licenses and approvals, such as alcohol permits and franchise agreements. He also assists clients with permitting issues related to the Clean Water Act (e.g., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permits), the National Historic Preservation Act (e.g., Section 106 compliance), and the National Flood Insurance Act (e.g., letters of map revision).

Mr. McKinney also has experience dealing with real estate-related litigation matters, including adverse possession, boundary by acquiescence, prescriptive easements, quiet title, eviction, foreclosure, and restrictive covenant disputes, among others, as well as providing expert witness testimony on real estate issues. Mr. McKinney has also been active in the legislative process, including serving on the Arkansas Bar Association’s Jurisprudence and Law Reform and Legislation Committees. He has testified before the Arkansas General Assembly on many occasions and been involved in drafting and vetting real estate-related legislation.

USLAW Practice Group Affiliations

  • Government Relations: Alternate 1
  • Real Estate: Alternate 1

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