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Maurice Blackburn to lose chairman to Federal Court
Maurice Blackburn chairman Bernard Murphy was today appointed as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia.
The New Lawyer
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He will leave Maurice Blackburn to take the new post, after 15 years at the firm. He will start as a judge on the Court on 14 June.
Maurice Blackburn chairman-elect Steve Walsh said the appointment was a reflection on Murphy’s career as an outstanding lawyer and leader.
“Bernard has made a huge contribution to this firm.
“Over his career with Maurice Blackburn and the past six years as chairman, Bernard has led the firm’s strategy to develop into a national law firm, expanding from four offices in two states to 23 offices in four states,” Walsh said.
Walsh said Murphy sets high standards for other lawyers in the firm.
Murphy established Maurice Blackburn’s class actions department in 1998. His career has included success on more than 30 class actions enabling thousands of Australians to obtain redress for corporate wrongdoing.
“His leadership in the class actions arena has set up much of the framework for modern class action litigation and has also led to improved corporate governance standards,” Walsh added.
Maurice Blackburn’s class actions practice has returned more than $710 million in damages to shareholders, businesses and consumers over the past 13 years and today employs 30 lawyers.
Among the firm’s many successful class actions has been Australia’s first successful shareholder class action and its first successful cartel class action.
Murphy said of his new appointment to the Court: “I’m very humbled by the opportunity that’s been given to me and I look forward to serving the Court."
