Audra Murphey

1. What do you do?

As an appellate criminal defense attorney, I help my clients challenge their convictions in state and federal court. In practice, that is a lot of reading case law, writing motions and briefs, and presenting oral arguments before appellate courts.

2. What’s the coolest part of your job?

Appellate litigation is special because a victory in one case sets a precedent that can impact many other cases, both now and in the future. It’s a truly special feeling to win a case or to see a colleague win a case that you know will make a difference in the lives of countless people who are impacted by our criminal legal system. Though the systemic failures in our criminal legal process can feel overwhelming, this work and its potential for systemic change give me hope.

3. Why are you passionate about it?

At its core, appellate criminal defense is about holding the government and courts accountable. Without that work, there would be nothing stopping government and court actors from stripping constitutional rights from any person accused of a crime. For our rights to have any meaning, there has to be some mechanism for correcting errors or abuses when they occur. I am very proud to be a part of that mechanism.

4. Which skills from your IAC degree have helped you be successful in this career?

Learning how to write clearly and concisely is the most important skill for an appellate lawyer. I began to develop that skill back in my Public Policy courses when we were tasked with drafting punchy legislative memos and effective policy analyses. Today, I use those same skills when drafting briefs and motions.

5. What’s your #1 tip for students and alumni interested in your field?

Talk to people! People love to talk about themselves, and you are just an email away from talking to almost anyone. If you know someone working in a field you’re interested in, put your “.edu” email address to its best use and send over an offer to buy them coffee. You’ll be surprised by how many people say yes!