Christine Murphy

Sponsored by RebuttalPR

What inspired you to specialize in plaintiff personal injury law? Prior to becoming a plaintiff's personal injury attorney, I was a homicide prosecutor for over a decade. During that time, I worked with the worst criminals, but the part I enjoyed the most was supporting the victims' families. While nothing can bring back a loved one in a homicide case, you can do a lot to ensure that families feel heard.

Dealing with death and criminals all the time was not ideal, so when the opportunity to switch careers came, I wanted my new career to have a few key elements. I wanted to be in a position where I could help people during the worst days of their lives and do everything I could to make it easier for them. It was important for me to continue helping people – something I loved about my previous job. I also wanted to be in court as much as possible. Despite having a fear of public speaking when I was younger, I enjoy talking to jurors. So, I sought a career in an area of law where I could be in court often and continue to help people. Transitioning from being a homicide prosecutor to a personal injury attorney was a natural progression for me, allowing me to carry over what I loved about my old job into this new role.

Can you describe what the shift in your career was like? The best part for me is that I got to stay on the same side of the courtroom. What I mean by that is, for my entire career, I’ve built the case. I used to have to prove things beyond a reasonable doubt; now it’s by a preponderance of the evidence. I’m the one who has to put the pieces together, and I do that the same way I used to as a prosecutor. You look at a case and say, "What are the foundational elements I need to prove? How do I prove that? What witnesses can I prove that with?"

Those things remain the same. Another thing that has remained the same is trying to figure out where the holes are in your case so that you can build a stronger foundation, anticipate where the defense will come for your client or your case, and make sure you're prepared. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, but the best trial attorneys I’ve seen are excellent at building their side of the case and can also tell you about every single issue with their case. In most of my cases, whether as a prosecutor or in personal injury law, I could write down what the defense attorney was going to argue. If you don’t know that about your own case, you shouldn’t be arguing it.

That was the easy part for me. The first time I had a trial as a personal injury attorney, I knew where to sit, but I didn’t know how to conclude my argument to the judge. In a criminal case, it’s easy: you point to them and say they’re guilty. I remember sitting next to my boss during my first trial, which was my first or second week working here, and asking, “So what’s the defendant?” He looked at me like, “What do you mean?” I said, “Well, he’s not guilty – he’s what?” My boss had this look of fear on his face, like, “What in the heck is wrong with this woman? Why am I letting her try this case?” And he said, “Negligent.” I was like, “Okay, great.” From there, it was no problem; I just needed that word shift.

But once I had that, I was good. It’s easy: you’re always seated next to the jury, you always call your witnesses first, and I always get the last word, which is still my absolute favorite part of the trial.

Could you share one or two cases that have had a significant impact on you? There are two that immediately come to mind. One is a case where a pedestrian was struck and killed by a pizza delivery driver. I remember so clearly when his widow came to the office a few weeks after his death. She came in with her father-in-law, and one thing they both said was that nobody had reached out to them. This man was walking on the side of the road, trying to get home from work when he was struck and killed by a speeding delivery driver. Nobody reached out to them—not from the insurance company, not from the national pizza company, none of those people. That was so hard for them to wrap their minds around. Someone else was at fault, yet nobody would take responsibility.

We ended up filing suit in the case and were able to settle. This was a man with four kids and elderly parents still alive at the time. Discussing with them how they went from thinking nothing would happen, that nobody would take their side, to achieving a great resolution in the case, meant a lot to me. The case took a long time to resolve. I've become close with his widow and their four kids. It's a case that's meant a lot to me because of how close I've been with them, similar to how I am with many homicide victims' families. A lot of them still remember me years later. They remember me from one of the worst times in their lives, but they also remember the good that came from it.

To that end, I recall recently, I was in a local store making returns, and the woman behind me asked, "Are you Christine?" I thought, this could go badly, or it could go well; I'm not sure. I prosecuted her brother's murder case 10 years ago. Thankfully, I haven't changed significantly in how I look, which is good. It was interesting to hear her say, "Oh, you know, my family still talks about you and what you did to get justice for my brother" That meant so much to me. I am confident that with this other death case I just mentioned, I will remember this family forever.

The other case that meant a lot to me involved my client who was a passenger in a vehicle turning left at an intersection. A local grocery store food truck was speeding down the road, and the two cars collided. The driver and front seat passenger of the vehicle my client was in both died at the scene. My client survived, but his life was forever changed. His two good friends died right in front of him while he was trapped in the car.

This case haunts me for a number of reasons. It was one of those cases where, because the car he was in was also at fault, I had to fight not just for him to get the compensation he deserved but to get to that point at all. I enjoy the challenge of these cases. They’re not just straightforward rear-end collisions where liability is easy to determine. I relish the fight at every point, ensuring that my client or his driver is not unfairly blamed.

In the pedestrian case, the police initially found the deceased at fault, saying he was walking where he shouldn't have been. These are the kinds of cases I enjoy fighting for—making sure the victim, who was struck by the car, or the survivor, whose life has drastically changed, is properly represented and compensated. These cases are hard because how do you put a value on a life? How do you tell the victim's family that this number is what their loved one was worth? That part is still really hard. But understanding that difficulty makes it easier for me to talk to them about it.

You mentioned that you used to have a fear of public speaking. How did you manage to overcome that? I think it becomes easier when you're speaking to a group genuinely interested in what you have to say. You spend a lot of time public speaking, especially during law school, where you're not always sure you know the answer. There's this feeling of everyone looking at you like you're not the smartest person in the room. But as you progress in your career and start talking to others who are also far along in their careers, you suddenly realize that your voice is one people want to hear.

How do you approach building trust with clients? Building trust begins from the very first conversation. It's essential to be reliable; if you say you're going to do something, such as sending documents or making a call, you have to follow through. Trust is like a reputation—once it's broken, it's incredibly hard to rebuild to the same level. My goal is to always follow through on my promises. I ensure my clients are never surprised by laying out all the facts—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and explaining our approach to addressing each issue.

For instance, in one particular case, I had to inform the victim's family about the autopsy revealing a significant amount of drugs in his system. It was a tough conversation, but essential for building trust. I walk clients through every detail, ensuring they know they'll always get the complete truth from me. This honesty fosters trust, which is crucial when discussing difficult matters, like the value of a case.

What challenges have you faced as a woman attorney in this field? As a female trial attorney, balancing perception is key. If you're too aggressive, the jury may not like you; if you're too quiet, opposing counsel or the judge might overpower you. It's about finding that perfect balance. You're advised on everything from your distance to the jury to your voice's volume and your attire. Ultimately, I focus on being myself. I don't hesitate to use my personality in court, whether it's placing my hand on the railing or emphasizing a point with a gesture.

Navigating these dynamics can be daunting, especially as a young attorney. Women often face harsher criticism from other women jurors, so I am particularly mindful of my mannerisms and tone when addressing an all-women jury.

Have any mentors made a significant impact on your career? I've had three significant female mentors during my internship at my previous job. One, now a judge, was a homicide prosecutor who showed me the importance of having my voice heard in the courtroom and presenting my unique perspective. She taught me the value of being myself and believing in my abilities.

Another mentor emphasized always fighting for what I believe in. I never argue a case I don't fully believe in. Her advice to always believe in my arguments has greatly contributed to my success.

The third mentor was an anti-mentor. She had a habit of using others as leverage, which taught me a valuable lesson. From her, I learned how not to lead. As a supervisor, I make it a point to support other female attorneys, ensuring they know their success doesn't diminish mine; we can all be successful together.

How do you balance work with your personal life? Balancing work and personal life in this field is challenging. Even on vacation, part of my mind is always on the upcoming trial. I can't remember the last time I was completely unplugged. However, I manage to travel and enjoy my time off by keeping a pulse on the office. I set realistic expectations with my clients, letting them know I’m better at responding to emails than phone calls. By dedicating a small portion of my day to checking in, I can maintain balance and enjoy my travels.

What aspect of your work are you most passionate about? I absolutely love being in court. Despite being quiet and disliking public speaking in the past, I now cherish those moments in court when I argue passionately for my clients. The thrill of seeing someone start to agree with me is incredibly fulfilling.

What advice would you give to women attorneys just starting out? Find another woman who can challenge and help you become the best attorney you can be. Having a professional partner to share ideas and review cases is invaluable. Reach out to others to gain different perspectives and break away from the usual way of doing things. This can help you find methods that work better for you.

Why are organizations like the Society of Woman Trial Lawyers important? In the plaintiffs' bar, it can feel isolating. You're often alone in the courthouse, handling your case and then leaving. While Bar Association events exist, they don't always foster the camaraderie that’s essential. Connecting with fierce trial attorneys who want to excel and do the best for their clients is crucial. Such organizations bring together individuals who are already great but know they can push further. The collaborative environment introduces new approaches and ideas that can significantly enhance your practice.  The Society of Women Trial Attorneys does that and so much more.