Michael J. Humphrey, co-founder and managing partner of Courtland Partners, passes away

On Tuesday morning, Nov. 29, 2016, Michael Humphrey, industry icon as well as managing partner and co-founder of Courtland Partners, died unexpectedly. He was 56 years old.

Courtland Partners is the Cleveland, Ohio-based real asset investment consulting and advisory firm Mr. Humphrey co-founded with his partners John Karlovec and Timm Judson in 1995 (Karlovec and Judson both had left the firm by 2005). The firm currently operates its global business out of offices in Los Angeles, Cleveland and London, and advises over 60 clients on more than $82 billion of real estate and infrastructure investments worldwide.

Steve Novick, the firm’s COO, indicated, “We are deeply saddened by this news and are shocked. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s wife and his children at this time.”

With more than 27 years of real estate investment experience as an attorney, a workout consultant and an adviser, Mr. Humphrey began his career in the national office of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young). Immediately following his graduation from the Columbia School of Law (where he was a Harlan Stone Scholar), he was an associate with the law firm of Baker & Hostetler. He subsequently acted as a legal counsel and financial analyst for a real estate workout firm specializing in the liquidation of distressed real estate assets. That firm's clients were primarily financial institutions (e.g., Banc Texas and The Bank of New England) requiring the disposition of nonperforming mortgage loans and real estate owned.

For the four years prior to starting Courtland in 1995, Mr. Humphrey was a Senior Consultant with The Townsend Group, where he was responsible for managing a number of state and other pension fund client relationships.

For the past 21 years at Courtland, he has served as a member of the firm’s Investment Committee, has retained management responsibility for several key accounts, and has led the firm’s management and growth efforts. He also was a member of the Urban Land Institute, the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries, the Alternative Investment Forum and was a member of the editorial advisory board for Institutional Real Estate Asia Pacific magazine. In addition, he has served at various times as a member of the editorial advisory boards for other Institutional Real Estate, Inc. publications, as have other senior consultants at the firm.

According to Novick, the combination of Courtland’s succession plan and the addition over the last two years of a number of senior professionals with deep real estate experience place the firm in a very strong position to support its clients and continue to deliver exceptional service.    “Michael helped craft a plan for this company to thrive well into the future in an effort to best support its clients and deliver outstanding service,” Mr. Novick explained.  “We know of no better way to honor his legacy than to continue his vision for this company with the exceptional team and plan he put in place. Michael hired the best and the brightest,” added Mr. Novick, who also is a principal shareholder of the firm, “and with our staff we will move forward.”

The date, time and location for a memorial service for Mr. Humphrey will be announced shortly.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Michael J. Humphrey’s name to the Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, 9500 Euclid Ave. / Mail Code: S20, Cleveland, OH 44195.