Atty. Stephen J. Murphy
Stephen J. Murphy joined Block O’Toole & Murphy as a personal injury trial attorney after a successful career as a homicide prosecutor for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Attorney · Serving New York, NY
Profile Summary
About Stephen J. Murphy at a Glance
Stephen J. Murphy is a personal injury attorney based in New York, New York, practicing at Block O'Toole & Murphy. Admitted to practice in New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association and New York, New York State Bar Association. Educated at St. John's University (J.D., 1998). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation (2026). Serves clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Stephen J. Murphy
- Stephen J. Murphy joined Block O’Toole & Murphy as a personal injury trial attorney after a successful career as a homicide prosecutor for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office
- Best known for his work in the courtroom, Mr. Murphy handles a wide variety of personal injury cases, primarily focusing on serious construction accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and other catastrophic personal injury cases
- A partner at the firm since 2008, Mr. Murphy has amassed an extremely impressive record of results, regularly returning verdicts and settlements over a million dollars
- In his years of civil practice, he has garnered over $500,000,000 in results for clients, with an average of over $40,000,000 in settlements every year since 2013
- In 2021, he was the lead attorney on the top three construction accident settlements in the entire Northeast, as reported in VerdictSearch’s Top Verdicts and Settlements
- In recognition of Mr. Murphy’s commitment to his clients, Best Lawyers® named him the New York City Lawyer of the Year in Personal Injury – Plaintiffs for 2022
- Described as one of the "Top Attorneys in New York” by The New York Times, Mr. Murphy has earned multiple accolades from both his peers and opponents
- He is recognized by various notable legal organizations including Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, the Irish Legal 100, and the Brehon Law Society
- He has also appeared as a guest host and commentator on civil and criminal cases for various media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, Fox Radio, New York Daily News, and Court TV
- Mr. Murphy’s expert analysis has also been published in the New York Law Journal, as part of a construction accident law column that he co-authored with colleague David L. Scher
- Prior to joining Block O'Toole & Murphy, Mr. Murphy was appointed to the Homicide Bureau in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, making him the youngest attorney there at the time
- He earned a reputation as a tough but fair prosecutor, successfully handling several high-profile cases, including double and triple murders, arson homicides, and child murders
- In addition to his trial work, Mr. Murphy served as an Adjunct Professor of Law with St. John's University School of Law for nine years
- During his tenure as instructor of the trial advocacy program, his students won national championships in trial competitions five times
- Mr. Murphy also currently serves as a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association's (NYSTLA) Labor Law Committee, a group devoted to protecting the rights of New York’s construction workers
- Outside of the office, Mr. Murphy volunteers for various charities and fundraisers
- One that is very dear to his heart is St. Jude Children’s Hospital, where he serves as an active member of the fundraising team
- For over ten years, Mr. Murphy and fellow BOM partners have hosted an annual New York City Wine Tasting in support of St. Jude, bringing together local restaurants and vendors to help raise funds for the research of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases
- To date, the event has raised over $10,000,000 for the hospital, and in 2019, Mr. Murphy was awarded the “Chairperson of the Year” award by St. Jude for his efforts
Practice Areas Explained
Stephen J. Murphy's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stephen J. Murphy handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in New York.
Personal Injury in New York
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Stephen J. Murphy is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in New York →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in New York
Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New York are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
New York Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a New York-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in New York Choose Stephen J. Murphy
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Stephen J. Murphy's practice in the field of personal injury.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association and New York, New York State Bar Association, Stephen J. Murphy can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Focused Personal Injury Practice
Concentrating on personal injury means Stephen J. Murphy's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in New York
A New York-based practice means Stephen J. Murphy attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Stephen J. Murphy Handles in New York
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Stephen J. Murphy has experience with under New York law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Stephen J. Murphy directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Stephen J. Murphy Online
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Stephen J. Murphy's Practice Areas & Specializations
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