Kathleen Murphy, Esq.

Senior Attorney

Kathleen Murphy is an accomplished divorce and family law attorney who specializes in divorce, custody, modification, contempt, pre/post-nuptial agreement, and restraining order matters. She has considerable experience resolving and litigating family law cases, including those which are financially complex and high-conflict. She also has acted as a family law mediator and Guardian ad Litem.

Attorney Murphy appreciates the importance of collaboration with the goal of settlement in her cases for the benefit of her clients. She is always prepared to litigate, however, if an amicable and reasonable resolution is unattainable.

Distinctive Perspectives: Mediator & GAL

Skills Developed as a Guardian ad Litem

In addition to being a divorce and family law litigator, Attorney Murphy has experience as a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem (“GAL”) in family law matters. Judges appoint family law GALs to investigate complex child custody and parenting issues. As a neutral third party, the GAL then reports her findings to the judge. The GAL’s findings help the court decide what is in the children’s best interests in the case.

As a GAL, Attorney Murphy developed invaluable skills transferrable to her work as a litigator. GALs must thoroughly investigate matters by, in part, interviewing the parties to a case, including the children and collaterals (such as doctors, therapists, and teachers). GALs must also be analytical, interpreting complex information to assess what is in the children’s best interests in a particular case. Moreover, a GAL must effectively communicate her findings to the court.

Attorney Murphy acquired unique insight into how judges make best-interest-of-the-child determinations through her role as a GAL. This perspective informs her work as a litigator, enabling her to comprehensively evaluate cases involving children and develop an individualized strategy for each one.

A Mediator’s Viewpoint

Although Attorney Murphy’s focus is litigation, she brings to her practice the knowledge and expertise she gained through prior experience as a mediator. In divorce and family mediation, a mediator can help parties reach a comprehensive, mutually acceptable agreement regarding the terms of their divorce. The mediator facilitates constructive communication between the parties and helps them to openly address their interests, concerns, and needs.

To be successful, mediators must possess strong negotiation, problem-solving, and persuasion skills. These skills help mediators to analyze parties’ interests and find solutions upon which the parties can agree. Mediators must also exhibit exceptional emotional intelligence to effectively manage conflict, as well as strong analytical skills to assess a matter and its legal issues. Attorney Murphy’s work as a mediator helped her master these skills, enabling her to successfully resolve case after case as a family law litigator.

Dispute Negotiation Expert

Attorney Murphy began teaching the Dispute Negotiation course at her alma mater, Boston College Law School, in the Fall of 2022. In this hands-on, experiential course, students negotiate cases weekly.

As a professor, Attorney Murphy draws upon her expertise to introduce students to the art of negotiating, which includes reading body language, client interviewing, and the ability to persuade. This professorship is a testament to Attorney Murphy’s professional abilities as a litigator and negotiator. It is also a rewarding experience that enables her to give back to the legal community.