Paul Murphy, an attorney in College Station, Texas, frequently serves as lead counsel in high-exposure litigation, where his disciplined and strategic approach has led to numerous successful outcomes. He is a founding partner of Murphy Legal.
Throughout his career, Murphy has earned a stellar reputation for his tenacious advocacy. As a partner in White, Carlson, Wren & Cook, and Of Counsel for the Carlson Law Firm, he has secured successful verdicts for individuals and corporations in cases throughout Texas, particularly in high-stakes litigation involving transportation and personal injury. His insider knowledge of defense tactics, gained through years of hands-on experience, gives him a critical edge when advocating for plaintiffs.
A proud U.S. Air Force veteran, Murphy frequently serves as lead counsel in high-exposure litigation. Now, as a partner in White, Carlson, Wren & Cook and Of Counsel for the Carlson Law Firm, Murphy focuses on representing plaintiffs in a variety of cases, including wrongful death, catastrophic oilfield injuries, and trucking accidents.
His years as a Board-certified Personal Injury lawyer have allowed him to assess each case from all angles. He analyzes a case’s strengths and weaknesses early on, anticipating his opponent's strategies and crafting preemptive legal tactics. His dedication to exploring every possible legal avenue ensures that clients receive the best possible outcomes. With his extensive background working for both plaintiffs and defendants, Murphy brings an unmatched level of strategy, experience, and advocacy to clients he serves throughout Texas and other parts of the country.
A Military Background Shapes a Legal Career
Murphy’s military background instilled in him a strong sense of integrity, resilience, and a sharp tactical mindset—all of which have been instrumental in shaping his legal career. These qualities, paired with his extensive trial experience on both sides of the courtroom, have allowed him to build a comprehensive and versatile skill set.
In the military, he was selected as a member of the Presidential Honor Guard. During that time, he met presidents and foreign heads-of-state, went to the White House and even had the opportunity to tour Air Force One.
Family is an important part of Murphy’s life. “I am married to the most amazing woman on the planet and have been married for 30 years. We have two incredible sons – one just graduated from college and the other is a freshman in college. Collectively, we call ourselves ‘The Murphy 4.’ My family is very close and it is the thing I am most proud of,” he explains.
Becoming a lawyer, Murphy says, was not easy for him. He attended college while working nights in the Air Force. Two weeks after separating from the Air Force, he and his family moved to Houston, where he started law school at South Texas College of Law.
While in law school, Murphy was selected for the National Mock Trial and National Moot Court teams and competed nationally. After law school he started his first job as a trial lawyer and within five years, he became Board Certified in Personal Injury Law – the earliest one can become Board Certified. He has been selected to a number of prestigious trial lawyer organizations over the years, including the American Board of Trial Attorneys (ABOTA).
As he looks back at those early years, there is a piece of advice he would have given himself, “Don’t make decisions based on fear. Have faith in your calling, your destiny and God’s plan – not your own.” It is advice that continues to serve him well.
The Inspiration to Help People
Murphy says he was inspired by his father. “My dad was a preacher and one of the best advocates I have ever seen. He would stand up at the pulpit on Sunday and advocate for love, kindness, compassion and serving your fellow man.” Murphy’s father is now a chaplain at a hospital and continues to “argue his case,” as Murphy says, to a captive audience of people who are hurt, sick, and dying.
“I became a lawyer to help people, too. To make an impact on their lives. To do my part to put a little dent in the universe. To make a difference,” Murphy relates. He values making a difference in the lives of the people around him, and while he admits he hasn’t always done a good job of that, he is very proud of the times he has. “ I want to believe the best in others and have them believe the best in themselves. That is true when it comes to my family, friends or clients I represent.
How does Murphy unwind from the stress of his high-level, intense legal work? Working out, he says, seems to be the best medicine. “I found a fun way to work out, doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have been doing that for the past three years. I have also always made sure to spend quality time with my wife and kids. Work has never been more important to me than they are. That will never change.”
Paul Murphy, an attorney in College Station, Texas, sums up what success means to him in simple terms:” Going to bed at night proud of who I was and what I did that day.”
