William B. Murphy
Senior Counsel
As one of the longest-serving appellate judges in Michigan history, Judge William B. Murphy brings invaluable perspective to his clients’ litigation issues. He served three terms as Chief Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals and three terms as the Court’s Chief Judge Pro Tem. Now, he focuses his practice on business litigation, appeals, mediation, and arbitration.
Before his appointment to the court, Judge Murphy was a member of the East Grand Rapids City Commission, served as a law clerk to the Michigan Court of Appeals, and worked as an attorney in private practice.
He has been a lecturer for the Michigan Judicial Institute and various bar associations and continuing legal education programs. He has been an adjunct professor at Michigan State University, College of Law, and Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
“Judge Murphy is extremely well-respected and has had an undeniable influence on the Michigan legal community. We consider it an enormous honor that he decided to join Dykema.”
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- Wayne State University Law School, J.D., cum laude
- Michigan State University, B.A.
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Bar Admissions
- Michigan
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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Appellate Practice; Arbitration; Mediation, 2021-2024
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- State Bar of Michigan, Past Commissioner
- Michigan State Bar Foundation, Trustee
- Grand Rapids Bar Association, Past Trustee
- Judicial Tenure Commission, Past Commissioner and Past Chair
- Open Justice Commission, Member
- Michigan Justice Project, Judicial Executive Committee and Strategic Planning Committees, Member
- Council of Chief Judges of State Courts of Appeal, Past President
- Michigan Association for Justice, Judicial Excellence Award
- The American Board of Trial Advocates, Lifetime Judicial Achievement Award
- The National Center for State Courts, Recognition for Distinguished Service
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- Chief Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals
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- Chief Judge Pro Tem, Michigan Court of Appeals
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