Leo J. Murphy

Leo Murphy is Counsel to the Firm in the Litigation Services Department. He advises manufacturers concerning product liability law, defends manufacturers against product liability claims, and represents insurers, financial institutions, and other businesses in litigation matters.

Mr. Murphy’s product liability practice has involved coordination of product liability litigation worldwide for domestic and offshore manufacturers. In this role, he has managed product liability claims from initial investigation through final disposition. This has included development of case management databases, document retention programs, and cost containment policies. He has overseen the investigation of incidents that might give rise to claims, selected and supervised local counsel engaged to assist in the defense of product liability litigation, managed the discovery process, developed defense strategy, and defended manufacturers in jury trials in California and other states. Outside of the litigation context, he has represented manufacturers before regulators such as federal OSHA and comparable state agencies. He also has advised design engineers and manufacturing executives concerning preparation of operator manuals and warning labels, implementation of design changes and product recalls, the effectiveness of limited warranties, and the enforceability of indemnification agreements.

Other Distinctions

•Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
•Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, 2019-2020
•Alpha Sigma Nu
•University of San Francisco Law Review, assistant editor
•U.S. Army Reserve, 1969-1977, honorably discharged with the rank of captain
•University of San Francisco Alumni Service Award
•The Guardsmen Hall of Fame
•Mr. Murphy has spoken on numerous occasions to manufacturers and industry groups concerning product liability claim management and litigation strategy.

Clerkships

•Judge Edmund L. Palmieri, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Community & Pro Bono

•Mr. Murphy’s community focus is on disadvantaged youth. He is a past director and life member of The Guardsmen. Each year, the organization sends 2,500 at-risk youth to outdoor education programs and provides scholarships to more than 250 students, to enable them to attend top flight independent schools. Mr. Murphy also served two terms as a director of Mission Dolores Academy, a racially diverse independent K through 8 school at which 85% of the students receive financial aid. The rigorous academic program provided by the Academy enables graduates to be admitted to the best local high schools where they continue to receive very substantial tuition assistance. In the great majority of cases, Mission Dolores alumni become the first members of their families to attend college.

News & Publications

•Schnader Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2020
•Schnader Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2019
•Aviation Happenings- Summer 2015