Biden nominates Worcester attorney Brian Murphy to be federal judge in Massachusetts

President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he has selected Brian E. Murphy, a Worcester-based criminal defense attorney, as judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Born in Columbia, Maryland, Murphy received his bachelor's degree at College of the Holy Cross in 2002 and graduated from Columbia Law School in 2006.

Murphy started his legal career as a public defender in Worcester. He is a founding partner at Murphy & Rudolf LLP in Worcester, which he has run since 2011. The firm is headquartered in the downtown office building known as the Glass Tower at 446 Main St.

Before founding his firm, Murphy was an associate at the Boston firm Todd & Weld LLP from 2009 to 2011.

Murphy's focus was on criminal defense in state and federal courts. He also supervises on civil and criminal matters.

In addition to his legal practice, Murphy previously served as a bar advocate supervisor for the Worcester County Bar Advocates and as an officer of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

According to his biography at the Murphy & Rudolf website, Murphy has a special focus on white-collar offenses, drunken-driving allegations, violent crimes, postconviction and appellate advocacy and some civil matters.

Murphy is married to Lynsey Heffernan, a Shrewsbury School Committee member.

Murphy's nomination requires approval from the U.S. Senate.

If approved, Murphy would succeed Judge Patti B. Saris, who announced in November she would be taking senior status on the court upon her successor's appointment.

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts said Murphy came highly recommended to the senators by the Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Judicial Nominations, which solicits applications for Massachusetts federal district court vacancies and makes recommendations to senators.

In a statement, Warren and Markey praised Murphy's commitment to protecting constitutional rights.

“Brian Murphy has fought throughout his career to protect and uphold fundamental constitutional rights of all Americans. It’s a testament to Murphy’s respect for our system of justice that he got his start as a public defender in Worcester, giving him a critical perspective in the courtroom," the statement read. "His extensive experience as a public defender, as an attorney leading a small firm, and as an active member of bar associations across the commonwealth make him an extraordinarily well-qualified nominee. We are confident that his years of experience and commitment to working towards justice for all will make him a valuable addition to the Massachusetts District Court, and we strongly support his nomination.”

Michael Hussey, an attorney at Tansley Halloran and former head of the Committee for Public Counsel Service who previously worked at Murphy & Rudolf, said he was happy with Murphy's selection.

"He's a hard-working lawyer, he's a very smart guy, he has a good head on his shoulders," Hussey said. "He's got a understanding — at least in the criminal context — of the people who would come before him as a judge, whether that be the victims of crime of those individuals accused of crime."

Hussey said Murphy has varied legal experience covering both state and federal cases.

In addition to Murphy's qualifications for the positions, Hussey said the selection reflects well on the Worcester legal community.

"Sometimes people who are in the justice system out in the middle or the west of this state sometimes think we are overlooked when it comes to being appointed appellate positions in the state, or federal judgeships," Hussey said.

Shira Diner, president of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, has worked with Murphy for years. She said he has an understanding of representing underserved communities.

Diner said many judges are former prosecutors, and Murphy brings the perspective of someone who has sat on the other side of a case.

"What I think he brings is a real understanding of what it means to represent people from marginalized communities, communities that have been underserved," Diner said. "The ability to take that experience and the lived experience that his clients have and bring that to the bench is really going to fill a hole that is missing on all of the benches, federal and state."

Courtney Mayo, an attorney at Hassett and Donnelly PC and past president of the Worcester County Bar Association, also praised Murphy's selection.

"Brian has been a very active and engaged member of our Bar Association and our Worcester Community.  He has a great temperament for the bench," Mayo said, via email. "He’s even-tempered, thoughtful, a great listener and an even better problem solver.  We are all very excited for him."

Murphy could not immediately be reached for comment.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Biden nominates Worcester attorney Brian Murphy to be federal judge in Mass.