John R. Murphy has undergraduate degrees in political philosophy and political science from Syracuse University. He received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1992. After receiving his law degree, Mr. Murphy clerked for the Honorable Donald J. Porter, United States District Court Judge for the District of South Dakota. He was then selected as a Skadden Fellow for a two year fellowship at Black Hills Legal Services, where he acted as senior staff attorney and the director of the Indian Law Project. As a Skadden Fellow, Mr. Murphy focused his practice on representing persons accused of child abuse and neglect. In 1995, Mr. Murphy established his private practice law firm. He has emphasized criminal defense since that time. He has been published multiple times in books, articles, and law reviews. Mr. Murphy handles all levels of criminal cases in both state and federal courts, and at the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Murphy is a member of the following organizations: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; American Bar Association (Criminal Justice Section); South Dakota State Bar Association; South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association; South Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; and, the Black Hills Criminal Defense Bar Association.
