Michael P. Murphy

Combining courtroom prowess, business acumen and regulatory expertise, Michael has helped clients in numerous sectors achieve exceptional results in a variety of high stakes matters in the United States and Worldwide. Significant recent representations include:

• Represented, as lead counsel, 15 Lloyd's of London syndicates and managing agents in The New York Department of Financial Services' high-profile investigation of the NRA and Lloyd's issuance of so-called "Murder Insurance" products to the National Rifle Association and its members. The NYDFS investigation was successfully resolved by Consent Order.
• Represented, as co-counsel, Louis Ciminelli in the high profile "Buffalo Billion" public corruption criminal proceeding and trial. Mr. Ciminelli's conviction in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in May 2023 in a unanimous decision. 
• Represented a Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Activision Blizzard in a high-profile investigation regarding alleged workplace misconduct and the Board's oversight of the Company's progress in implementing new policies, procedures, and commitments to improve workplace culture and eliminate all forms of harassment and discrimination at the Company. 
• Represented, as lead counsel, Lloyd's of London syndicates, managing agents and their senior leaders and boards in numerous multi-regulator, multi-jurisdictional investigations and related civil litigations concerning the NRA, the issuance of NRA related insurance products and the NRA's contention that influential politicians, governments, and regulators conspired with the Corporation of Lloyd's to destroy the NRA and deprive it of its First Amendment rights. 
• Represented, as lead trial counsel, Catalina Holdings and its affiliated companies in the high-profile Bail Bond Antitrust Class Action. The Class Action was favorably settled, on an icebreaker basis, before trial. 
• Representing, as lead trial counsel, Michael Saunders & Company and Watson Realty Corporation in the ongoing Real Estate Commissions Antitrust Class Action – litigation which seeks to reshape the residential real estate sector and the way in which Americans buy and sell homes. 
• Representing, as co-counsel, a global insurance and financial services company in a multi-year international arbitration and ongoing trial involving alleged fraud, concealment and misrepresentations relating to the sale of a portfolio company and damage claims ranging from $300 Million to $1 Billion. 
• Represented a major financial services firm in connection with a global internal investigation relating to alleged malfeasance and wrongdoing in the acquisition of several competitors. 
• Represented a large international runoff company as national counsel and as lead trial counsel in over 50 litigations arising out of the failed acquisition of a large insurance enterprise. 
• Represented, as New York trial counsel, a lead defendant in the ACV Auctions Antitrust Class Action that alleged companies in the physical auction sector conspired to hinder ACV’s ability to compete in the market. 
• Represented, as lead trial counsel, a global reinsurer in a series of confidential, multi-continent arbitrations involving South American mining and port losses in excess of $2 Billion. 
• Representing, as lead counsel, Dahn Corporation, Elevation Capital and other entities and individuals in connection with the SEC's investigation into entities and investment vehicles in the self-storage and mobile home sectors. 
• Represented, as lead counsel, the Board of Directors of a public company in the LED and commercial lighting sector in connection with the SEC's investigation of the company and its Board. 
• Represented, as lead counsel, a Hall of Fame Major League Baseball pitcher in a high-profile investigation and dispute involving fraudulent investment schemes and theft of funds. 
• Represented, as lead trial counsel, major global insurers, reinsurers and retrocessionaires in connection with global litigation and arbitration arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Represented, as lead trial counsel, a major global financial services company in a series of international arbitrations and disputes regarding the theft of products, services and intellectual property. 
• Represented a major global reinsurer in a series of confidential London arbitrations related to multi-hundred-million-dollar losses in the energy sector. 
• Representing a leading manufacturer of hoists and material handling products in more than 2500 lawsuits relating to alleged design, manufacturing and marketing defects in the company's products. 
• Represented a leading global clothing designer and manufacturer in a major international arbitration arising out of the theft of its intellectual property. 
• Represented a global insurance and financial services firm in a series of U.S. and international acquisitions and divestitures. 
• Represented Columbus McKinnon Corporation in connection with its recent acquisitions of Montratec GmbH, Dorner Manufacturing and other companies. 
• Represented Skyward Specialty in its recent Initial Public Offering, in follow-on offerings, and in related capital markets work. 

Chambers USA

• Band 3, New York Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer (2012-2017)

The Legal 500 United States

• Recommended, Insurance: Advice to Insurers (2015-2022, 2024)
• Recommended, Insurance: Non-contentious (2016-2018, 2020-2021) 

Additional Awards

Intelligent Insurer has recognized Michael among the top eight re/insurance industry lawyers in the United States, based on an industry-wide survey of executives and general counsel. Based on that industry survey, Michael's team was named among the top three US litigation teams. In May 2011, Reactions ranked his team among the top two in the United States for insurance and reinsurance generally and for insurance litigation specifically. Euromoney consistently recognizes Michael in its Guide to the World's Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers.