Rob Killen
James Griffin
Ashley Farrimond
Emilie Christian Weissler
Melissa Castro Killen
Nina PRado
Mikayla McIntyre
Nuriddin Kalam
Rachel Taylor
Rob Killen
PARTNER
Rob Killen represents property owners, developers and businesses on issues including zoning, subdivision/platting, vested rights, variances, annexation, tax abatements and the creation of special districts. He is a founding member of Killen, Griffin & Farrimond, a San Antonio-based law firm focused on land use and economic development.
As an undergraduate at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Rob was actively involved in extracurricular activities, including serving as President of the Student Government and President of his fraternity chapter. In law school he was selected as Articles Editor of the law review and was elected President of the Phi Delta Phi chapter.
Rob served as the 2015 Chairman of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was President of the UTSA Alumni Association from 2009 to 2011. He was a member of the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Citizens Advisory Council from 2008 to 2014 and served on the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation Executive Committee in 2016. Rob currently serves as a member of the Witte Museum Board of Trustees, the San Antonio Medical Foundation Board of Trustees, the UTSA Development Board, the San Antonio Mobility Coalition Executive Committee and is the 2023 Chairman of the North Chamber Government Affairs Council and will serve as Chairman of the North Chamber Board again in 2025.
In 2018 he was recognized by the State Bar of Texas for his article on new annexation laws. In 2017 Rob received the North Chamber’s Small Business Leaders Community Service Award. In 2016 he was honored as the UTSA Alumnus of the Year. Previous recognitions include the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty Award and the Outstanding Lawyer Award, as well as the North Chamber’s Young Professional Award for Professional Leadership.
Rob frequently speaks to community groups and business organizations about local politics, economic development, annexation and land use regulations. He also works with students and leadership development programs to foster the growth of the next generation of community leaders.
Undergraduate
UTSA (B.A., Political Science, 1997). Activities & Honors: Student Government Association (President); Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity (President); Campus Activities Board (Vice President); University Life Awards (Findling Leadership Award); Student Government Most Valuable Member; Lambda Chi Alpha Outstanding Service Award; Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (1996 &1997)
Law School
University of Tulsa (J.D., with honors, 2001). Activities & Honors: Tulsa Law Review (Articles Editor); Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Fraternity (President); CALI Award – Criminal Procedure; Author of “The Achilles Heel of Dress Codes: The Definition of Proper Attire in Public Schools”, Tulsa Law Review (2001)
Community Activities
UTSA Development Board (2023)
San Antonio Medical Foundation Board of Directors (2023-2025)
North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (Board Chairman 2015), (Government Affairs Council Chair 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021), (Economic Development Council Chair 2022)
Witte Museum Board of Trustees (Trailblazers Luncheon Chair 2019)
San Antonio Mobility Coalition Board of Directors (Executive Committee 2021)
LeadSA Board of Directors (President 2015, 2017, 2018)
Roadrunner Foundation Board of Directors (2017-2018)
SAMMinistries Board of Directors (Secretary 2017-2018)
San Antonio Economic Development Foundation Executive Committee (2016)
VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Citizens Advisory Council (2008-2014)
UTSA Alumni Association (President 2009-2011)
Real Estate Council of San Antonio Leadership Development Program (Legislative Day Committee Chair 2009-2022), (Alumni Committee Chair 2021-2022)
Bexar County Amateur Sports Facilities Committee (2007)
Lambda Chi Alpha San Antonio Alumni Association (President 2005-2006)
San Antonio Lawyer Editorial Board
University of Texas School of Law Land Use Conference Planning Team member
Honors
2018 State Bar of Texas “Stars of Texas Award”
2017 North San Antonio Chamber Small Business Leaders - Community Service Award
2016 UTSA Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year
2012 San Antonio Business Journal Outstanding Lawyer Award
2010 North San Antonio Chamber Young Professional Award for Professional Leadership
2008 San Antonio Business Journal 40 Under Forty
2008 UTSA Alumni Association Board Member of the Year
2007 Lambda Chi Alpha San Antonio Alumni Association Golden Lamp Award (Outstanding Member)
2003 Lambda Chi Alpha UTSA Chapter – Golden Lion Award (Alumnus of the Year)
Selected Publications and Presentations
“City Hall Update”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 5, 2023)
“Development in the ETJ: Update on New Laws”; KGF/Winstead (August 23, 2023)
“Beyond the Bite: Runoffs Yield a New City Council”; Podcast (June 12, 2023)
“Win-Win: Panel on Economic Development Success Stories”; UT Land Use Conference (April 20, 2023)
“Adoption of Public Improvement District Policies”; UT Land Use Conference (April 20, 2023)
“City Hall Update”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 8, 2022)
“Public Improvement Districts Panel”; Texas Municipal League Annual Conference (October 6, 2022)
“City Hall Update”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 8, 2021)
“City Hall Update”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 16, 2020)
“Rebuilding Local Economies: Tools and Strategies for Economic Growth Post COVID-19”; Texas Municipal League Annual Conference (October 15, 2020)
“What Cities & Developers Need to Know About the New Platting Shot Clock”; UT Land Use Conference (April 24, 2020)
“City Hall Update”; San Antonio Auto Dealers Association (Dec. 16, 2019)
“City Hall Update”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 10, 2019)
“Annexations”; UT Land Use Conference (April 26, 2019)
“Petitions, Politics & Paid Sick Leave in San Antonio”; San Antonio Lawyer (March/April 2019)
“Future of Incentives and Abatements”; South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce (Dec. 14, 2018)
“Development Agreements Between Municipalities and Private Parties”; Strafford Webinar (Dec. 12, 2018)
“Petitions, Politics & the November 6 Elections”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 5, 2018)
“New State Law Impacts Future San Antonio Annexations”; San Antonio Lawyer (March/April 2018)
“Development Agreements Between Municipalities and Private Parties”; Strafford Webinar (Dec. 19, 2017)
“Annexation & Infill Development”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 13, 2017)
“San Antonio City Hall Update”; San Antonio CPA Society Symposium (Oct. 26, 2017)
“City Hall Update”; San Antonio CPA Society Annual Meeting (May 19, 2017)
“Ethical Issues in Land Transaction and Development”; Land Laws Seminar (May 12, 2017)
“San Antonio Issues: Annexation & Sign Ordinance”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 7, 2016)
“Hot Topics at City Hall”; CCIM (September 29, 2016)
“Hot Topics at City Hall”; Governor’s Club (August 11, 2016)
“Development Agreements Between Municipalities and Private Parties”; Strafford Webinar (July 27, 2016)
“2016 City of San Antonio Issue Forecast”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 16, 2015)
“Advanced Vested Rights: Recent Issues”; UT Land Use Conference (March 27, 2015)
“Development Agreements Between Public and Private Parties”; Strafford Webinar (March 11, 2015)
“2014 City of San Antonio Issues – Year in Review”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 11, 2014)
“Municipal Infrastructure Funding: Overcoming Legal Challenges – Exactions & Impact Fees” (July 24, 2014)
“Economic Development Incentives”; South Texas Commercial Association of REALTORS (Oct. 18, 2013)
“Development Agreements Between Public and Private Parties”; Strafford Webinar (Sept. 18, 2013)
“The 2013 Texas Legislative Session and Bills Affecting San Antonio”; San Antonio Lawyer (July/Aug. 2013)
“San Antonio City Hall Update”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (December 5, 2012)
“Zoning Rights: The Wal-Mart & Pecan Valley Zoning Cases”; San Antonio Lawyer (Nov./Dec. 2012)
“Effective Use of Association Resources to Impact the Local Political Process”, PEPP – Bexar (Sept. 26, 2012)
“Development Agreements Between Public and Private Parties”; Strafford Webinar (Aug. 9, 2012)
“Doing the Deal” (Development Agreements Panel); UT Land Use Conference (March 22, 2012)
“Building Relationships with Clients & Vendors Panel”; CORFAC Conference (March 9, 2012)
“Impact Fees in Texas”; Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials (Feb. 17, 2012)
“Economic Development Incentives”; San Antonio Bar Association – Real Estate Section (Oct. 25, 2011)
“The 2011 Legislative Session & Bills Impacting San Antonio”; San Antonio Lawyer (Sept./Oct. 2011)
“New Zoning & Planning Regulations Take Effect in San Antonio”; San Antonio Lawyer (March/April 2011)
“Current Issues in Vested Rights”; PEPP – Bexar (Feb. 23, 2011)
“Recent Changes in Vested Rights Law”; Real Estate Council of San Antonio (Dec. 7, 2010)
“Preservation of Community Assets”; UT Land Use Conference (March 26, 2010)
“Regulatory Barriers to Development”; UT Land Use Conference (March 25, 2010)
“Update on San Antonio’s Tree Ordinance”; ASCE – San Antonio (March 8, 2010)
James B. Griffin
PARTNER
James B. Griffin has over 12 years of experience in land use and municipal law and was previously a partner in a mid-size firm representing various clients in South Texas. James has served on various committees serving the legal and philanthropic communities in and around San Antonio and is currently President of the Board of Trustees for Texas Biomed Founder’s Council.
James specializes in environmental planning and permitting, economic development, municipal land use planning, zoning, and public law, development permitting, and government relations in San Antonio. In addition to representing clients on land use and economic incentive matters, James also brings experience handling complex issues impacting governmental entities including local, state and federal regulation compliance, open meeting requirements, election procedures and taxation matters.
James has been selected by Thompson-Reuters/Texas Monthly as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Land Use/Zoning Law every year since 2014. James and his wife, CeCe, are the proud parents of three children, Holden, Gray and Posey and are active volunteers in the San Antonio community.
Education
St. Mary’s University, School of Law – 2007, J.D
Texas State University at San Marcos – 2004, B.S. Political Science
Professional Associations and Memberships
Leadership San Antonio, Class 39
Real Estate Council of SA Leadership Class, 2011
Scene in SA Monthly, Rising Star in the Legal Profession (2014)
Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in Land Use/Zoning Law (2014-2019)
San Antonio Young Lawyer Association – Member since 2007, Board of Directors, 2011-2013
San Antonio Bar Association, Member Environmental Law Section Chair, 2010- 2012
Texas State Bar Association, Member Environmental and Natural Resource Law Executive Committee, 2011-2014
Witte Society - Steering Committee, 2011-2015 and Chair, 2013-2015
SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan Committee, Real Estate Industry Representative
Texas Biomed Founder’s Council, Board of Trustees, President 2020
Member of ULI, RECSA, San Antonio Governor’s Club, Rey Feo Consejo, San Antonio German Club, Order of the Alamo
Former Chair, Planning and Zoning Commission, City of Olmos Park
Fellow, Texas Bar Association
Fellow, San Antonio Bar Association
Ashley Farrimond
PARTNER
Ashley Farrimond represents companies, property owners, and developers in San Antonio, Bexar County and the surrounding communities with land entitlements, economic development, and municipal law matters. Specifically, Ashley assists clients with zoning, variances, permitting, vested rights, design review, historic matters, street closures/realignments and development agreements. She also assists with economic incentive matters and special districts.
Ashley has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 2008 following graduation from St. Mary's University School of Law. Prior to law school, Ashley attended Trinity University where she participated in multiple extracurricular activities, including being a member of the volleyball team. In 2015, Ashley was inducted into the Trinity University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Ashley and her husband, Louis, are the proud parents of 2 children.
Education
St. Mary’s University, School of Law – 2008, J.D with honors
Trinity University – 2004, B.A. History
Professional Associations and Memberships
Real Estate Council of San Antonio Leadership Class, 2011
Co-Chair, Real Estate Council of San Antonio Leadership Class, 2018
SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan Committee, Real Estate Industry Representative
Member of various City of San Antonio development committees
Real Estate Council of San Antonio
Texas Bar Association
San Antonio Bar Association
Emilie Christian Weissler
DIRECTOR OF LAND USE DEVELOPMENT
Emilie Christian Weissler serves as the Director of Land Use and Development at KGF and is a non-attorney professional. As the former Project Manager for a mid-size firm and Director of Zoning and Communications for San Antonio Council District 10, she brings a comprehensive understanding of development and strategic communications from experience with and on behalf of both the private and public sectors.
A proud graduate of Texas Christian University and the Bob Schieffer College of Communication, Emilie has transformed her extensive education and experiences across multiple industries into a career centered around responsible and creative real estate development. Emilie focuses primarily on municipal land-use planning, zoning, economic development and special district creation with an emphasis on governmental relations and entitlement due diligence. She has built and maintains strong relationships with various local officials, municipal departments, neighborhood organizations and community stakeholders throughout San Antonio and South Texas.
Emilie and her husband, Jakob, are the proud parents of their son, Judd, and are active in the San Antonio community.
Education
Texas Christian University – 2014, B.S. Strategic Communications
Professional Associations and Memberships
Real Estate Council of SA Leadership Class, 2018
The Conservation Society of San Antonio
Co-Chair, Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) Mission Trail Cascarones
San Antonio Young Professionals
San Antonio Delta Gamma Alumnae Chapter (Gamma Tau, TCU Initiate)
Junior League of San Antonio (2015-2019)
Melissa Castro Killen
OF COUNSEL
Melissa’s areas of practice include government affairs, government contracting and purchasing, water and utility law, land use and entitlements, and special districts. She represents both private and public clients.
Melissa has received recognition from various groups for her community service and professional achievements including being named as a San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40: Rising Star list (2005), receiving the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Doctoral Achievement Award (2009), being named a Texas Lone Star by the Texas Government Insider (2010), and receiving the Small Business Leaders Award for New Business from the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce (2014).
She has previously served on the Texas Lyceum Board of Directors, the Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board, the VIA Metropolitan Transit Board of Trustees, the City of Balcones Heights Crime Control District and the City of Balcones Heights City Council.
Education
University of Akron – 2001, J.D.
St. Mary’s University – 1996, B.A.
Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Texas, 2002
Alamo Citizen Advisory Committee (City Council District 8 Appointee), 2021-present
Bexar County Small, Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Advisory Committee (Policy Committee Chair), 2013-2016
Texas Lyceum Board of Directors (Scholarship Committee Member)(“Transportation Infrastructure: Establishing Public Policy Priorities” Public Conference Co-Chair), 2008-2011
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Policy Board, Vice Chair, 2006-2008
VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Trustees, Vice Chair (Audit Committee Chair)(30th Anniversary Committee Chair), 2005-2008
City of Balcones Heights City Council Member, 2003-2004
City of Balcones Heights Crime Control and Prevention District, Vice Chair, 2003-2004
Friends of the Alamo, Defender’s Circle
Witte Museum Quillin Society
General Society of Mayflower Descendants
Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants
Nina Prado
OF COUNSEL
Nina brings to KGF an extensive practice background in government, real estate and transactional law as well as economic development, municipal land use planning, zoning, and public law. As a student at St. Mary’s University School of Law, she interned with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, US Attorney’s Office and USAA. Upon graduation, Nina worked for another San Antonio area law firm specializing in Land Use Development before joining the KGF team in 2021.
Nina enjoys supporting the local fine arts and sports communities and volunteers her time to support various charities including Habitat for Humanity, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and March of Dimes.
Education
St. Mary’s University – 2011, J.D.
University of Houston – 2006, B.A.
Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Texas, 2012
Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity, Alumna
American Bar Association
San Antonio Bar Association; SABA Environmental Law Section, Co-Chair, 2014-2019
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association
Chi Omega, Alumna
Mikayla McIntyre
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Mikayla McIntyre is an Associate Attorney representing property owners, developers and various organizations in the San Antonio area on issues including municipal land-use planning, zoning, and economic development.
Born and raised in the Austin-area, Mikayla is a proud graduate of the University of Texas School of law, where she served as the Texas State Bar Representative for the Student Bar Association and participated in the Texas Journal of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights as a staff editor. Prior to law school, she attended Texas State University where she was involved in extracurricular activities, including serving as the Founder and President of the Texas State chapter of I AM that Girl as well as President of the University’s Phi Delta Phi pre-law chapter.
Mikayla has been licensed to practice law since 2021 and she is active in the San Antonio legal community through her memberships with the San Antonio Bar Association and San Antonio Young Lawyers Association.
Education
University of Texas School of Law - 2020, J.D.
Texas State University San Marcos - 2017, B.S. Criminal Justice with honors, summa cum laude
Professional Associations & Memberships
Texas Young Lawyers Association
San Antonio Bar Association
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
Texas Exes—San Antonio Chapter
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), 2021
Texas Bar College
Nuriddin Kalam
PROJECT MANAGER
Nuriddin Kalam serves as a Project Manager, assisting with land-use planning, zoning, and economic development in the San Antonio area. Nuriddin is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, where he participated in the Texas International Law Journal as a staff editor and served. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Nuriddin attended the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where he served in leadership for the University’s Pre-Law Society and Mock Trial Association.
Education
University of Texas School of Law - 2022, J.D.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - 2018, B.B.A. Finance
Rachel Taylor
Office Administrator
Rachel is a very proud graduate of UTSA with an extensive professional background in sales and non-profit management prior to pursuing a certification in Paralegal Studies and joining the KGF Team in 2021. A lifelong San Antonio native, she has enjoyed career opportunities that serve our local area.
Education
University of Texas at San Antonio – 2020, Paralegal Studies Certification
University of Texas at San Antonio – 2006, B.A. English, Specialization in Technical Writing
Professional Associations and Memberships
San Antonio Paralegal Association, 2020