Joseph F. Murphy Jr

The Honorable Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. retired from the Court of Appeals of Maryland on October 31, 2011 to join Silverman Thompson. His practice focuses on alternative dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration. Judge Murphy also provides appellate and litigation consultation services. Judge Murphy is considered Maryland's foremost expert in appellate advocacy.

Prior to his elevation to the Court of Appeals, Judge Murphy was Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland, the state's intermediate appellate court. Judge Murphy has authored hundreds of published appellate opinions. He also served as a trial judge on the Circuit Court for Baltimore County from 1984-1993.

Judge Murphy has served as a former Deputy State's Attorney for Baltimore City, as an Assistant State's Attorney, and as a Legal Aid Bureau Staff Attorney.

From 1976 to 1984, Judge Murphy distinguished himself in private practice. Several of his reported cases during that time includeSherman v. State, 288 Md. 636 (1980) and In Re Siegel. 294 Md. 635 (1982); United States v. Stencil, 629 F.2d 984 (4th Cir. 1980); United States v. Morrow, 717 F.2d 800 (3rd Cir. 1983); Silbert v. Ramsey, 301 Md. 96 (1984); Turner v. State, 299 Md. 565 (1984); State v. Hiken, 43 Md. App. 259 (1979); Burrell v. State, 42 Md. App. 130 (1979); United States v. Griffin, 660 F.2d 996 (4th Cir. 1981); United States v. Hadaway, 681 F.2d 214 (4th Cir. 1982); Robertson v. State, 295 Md. 688 (1983); Winters v. State, 301 Md. 214 (1984), Wright v. State, 58 Md. App. 447 (1984). Judge Murphy's litigation practice concluded in 1984, when he was appointed to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.

In addition to his active practice at Silverman Thompson, Judge Murphy teaches Evidence at University of Baltimore School of Law and Trial Practice at the University of Maryland School Of Law. He is the author of the Maryland Evidence Handbook.