Atty. Stephen James Murphy
With nearly three decades of experience in trial law, Stephen J. Murphy sets himself apart with his extensive courtroom skills and tireless dedication to his clients.
Automobile Accidents & More Attorney · Serving New York, NY · 28+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Stephen James Murphy at a Glance
Stephen James Murphy is a Partner based in New York, New York, practicing at Block O'Toole & Murphy, LLP. They have 28+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1998. Their practice focuses on car accidents, personal injury, criminal defense, workers comp, and litigation. Admitted to practice in New York New Jersey U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York U.S. District Court, Southern (1998). Educated at St. John's University School of Law (J.D., 1997) and Johns Hopkins University (B.A., 1993). Recognitions include Peer Reviewed. Serves clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Stephen James Murphy
With nearly three decades of experience in trial law, Stephen J. Murphy sets himself apart with his extensive courtroom skills and tireless dedication to his clients. Having developed a reputation as a tough-but-fair attorney, Mr. Murphy represents clients in a wide array of cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, workplace injuries, and premises liability accidents.
Mr. Murphy began his career as a criminal prosecutor in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, handling violent crimes including double and triple murders, arson homicides, and gang murders. He joined Block O’Toole & Murphy in 2005, and since then, he has obtained more than $500,000,000 in results for clients, with a yearly average of over $45,000,000 in settlements.
Early in his civil career, Mr. Murphy obtained a record-breaking $32,756,156 jury verdict in a Suffolk County case on behalf of a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a pedestrian accident. This verdict is the largest negligence verdict ever in Long Island, and it was recognized by the New York Law Journal as 2007’s second-highest negligence verdict in New York State. More recently, in 2021, VerdictSearch recognized Mr. Murphy for his role as lead attorney in obtaining the top three construction accident results in New York State.
Mr. Murphy’s other top results include:
- $15,500,000 settlement for an injured client in a pedestrian knockdown case
- $9,950,000 settlement in a Buffalo case for a young social worker who sustained an above-the-knee amputation.
- $9,500,000 settlement for a Brooklyn man who lost his foot and suffered spine injuries after being struck by an MTA bus in Brooklyn.
- $9,500,000 settlement for a painter who fell from a ladder while working in Westchester County.
- $8,800,000 settlement for a 53-year-old woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk in Queens.
Mr. Murphy's extensive expertise has led him to be recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers®, The National Trial Lawyer, the Irish Legal 100, and more. In 2023, Forbes Magazine named him one of New York’s Best Personal Injury Lawyers; in 2022, he was named the New York City Lawyer of the Year in Personal Injury – Plaintiffs by Best Lawyers®.
Mr. Murphy currently chairs Block O’Toole & Murphy’s fundraising committee for the firm’s annual New York City Wine Tasting event, which benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His work on the committee has been instrumental in raising over $10,000,000 to date for St. Jude. In 2019, he was named the St. Jude Chairperson of the Year for his dedication.
Practice Areas Explained
Stephen James Murphy's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stephen James Murphy handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in New York.
Car Accidents in New York
Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.
Stephen James Murphy is one of 36,434 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys 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 James Murphy is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in New York →
Criminal Defense in New York
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Stephen James Murphy is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in New York →
Workers Compensation in New York
Workers compensation lawyers help injured workers get medical care, lost wages, and disability benefits. Free consult, no fee unless you win.
Stephen James Murphy is one of 54,932 workers comp attorneys indexed nationally. Browse workers comp attorneys in New York →
Civil Litigation in New York
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Stephen James Murphy is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation 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 James 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 James Murphy's practice in the field of car accidents, personal injury, criminal defense, workers comp, and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Stephen James Murphy brings 28+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering car accidents, personal injury, and criminal defense, Stephen James Murphy can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in New York
A New York-based practice means Stephen James 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 James Murphy Handles in New York
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Stephen James 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 James Murphy directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Stephen James Murphy's Practice Areas & Specializations
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