Kerrie M. Murphy

Biography

Kerrie M. Murphy is an experienced trial attorney and is co-chair of the firm’s Litigation practice group. She concentrates her practice in the areas of employment, products liability, and auto and premises liability defense litigation. Ms. Murphy has brought numerous matters to successful completion through summary judgment. She has successfully tried numerous cases before juries as well as to the bench. She has defended appeals to the Iowa Supreme Court, Iowa Court of Appeals, and U.S. Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit. Ms. Murphy also has significant experience handling matters through alternative dispute resolution, including binding arbitrations, court sponsored settlement conferences, and private mediations.

Ms. Murphy has litigated cases of all sizes under a variety of employment laws, including ADA, FMLA, Title VII, ADEA, 42 USC Section 1981, and their state law equivalents. Her experience includes defense of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims asserting violations based on various protected categories, including, but not limited to, sex, sex plus, race, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, and national origin. She has also defended litigation involving state law claims of wrongful termination, wage payment violations, assault, defamation, and interference with business relationships. Ms. Murphy is experienced in handling workers’ compensation claims for municipalities and large corporations, as well as small business owners.

Ms. Murphy’s employment practice includes conducting internal investigations for clients, as well as preparation of responses to complaints filed at the local, state, and/or federal commission levels. She also conducts training and seminar presentations for clients in the areas of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She frequently counsels clients on a variety of human resource matters to prevent claims, including the review of employee handbooks, advice on policy changes, and management of employee issues that arise on a daily basis.

One of the traits that clients most appreciate about Ms. Murphy is her willingness and ability to quickly gather all relevant information and provide an early and accurate assessment of the matter under review. She is adept at reviewing medical records, completing written discovery, and conducting fact witness and expert witness depositions. Ms. Murphy’s has significant experience working with expert witnesses, such as physicians, accident reconstruction engineers, and economists. Her insurance defense experience includes handling litigation involving property and casualty claims, bodily injury claims, and wrongful death claims.

Ms. Murphy is a 1991 graduate of Drake University Law School. She received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Iowa. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Murphy served as Assistant City Attorney for Sioux City, Iowa, and later Des Moines, Iowa. Ms. Murphy is licensed to practice in Iowa, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, and the U.S. Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit. Her professional memberships include the Iowa State Bar Association, Polk County Bar Association, Polk County Women Attorneys Association, Defense Research Institute, and Iowa Defense Counsel Association.

Education & Bar Admissions

Education

• Drake University Law School, J.D.
• University of Iowa, B.A., Psychology

Bar Admissions

• Iowa
• U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

Publications