Leadership
Vice Chair of Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Practice Group
Edward J. Murphy is a partner of Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis, Ltd. and a member of the firm's product liability, insurance coverage and commercial litigation practice groups. He focuses his practice on product liability, aviation, insurance coverage/bad faith, fire losses and class action litigation. Mr. Murphy is "AV Preeminent" peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability.
Mr. Murphy has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Illinois Leading Lawyers (2008-2011 editions) and Illinois Super Lawyers (2010 and 2011 editions) for product liability.
Mr. Murphy has more than 30 years of jury trial experience and has represented clients in hundreds of cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He has tried more than 35 jury trials to verdict. Mr. Murphy has represented corporate clients across a range of industries, including Avco Corporation, Bell Helicopter, Stanley-Black & Decker, Lycoming Engines, Textron, Inc., Fisher-Price, Mattel, Archer Daniels Midland, Triad Controls, LaBodega Ltd., Geico Insurance Company and Global Indemnity Insurance Company.
In the product liability area, he has defended manufacturers and distributors in personal injury and wrongful death claims involving aircraft engines, industrial and consumer power saws, toys, children's products, earth moving equipment, tractors, farm implements, forklift trucks, power presses and grass mowing equipment. He currently represents Lycoming Engines and Textron in a class action product liability lawsuit seeking more than $60 million in damages for the alleged defects in 5,000 reciprocating aircraft engines.
Mr. Murphy has particular experience in wrongful death, personal injury and property damage litigation arising from fires and explosions. He has represented building owners, product manufacturers, installers of automatic fire protection systems and security companies in lawsuits related to a residential propane gas explosion on a Potawatomi Indian reservation, a fire in a high-rise office building in downtown Chicago, a fire at the Arlington Park Racetrack, and fires and explosions at many other industrial and warehouse properties.
Mr. Murphy also has represented numerous defendants, including Archer Daniels Midland and TruGreen ChemLawn, in wrongful death and personal injury litigation arising from vehicular traffic accidents.
Practice Areas:
Commercial Litigation, Product Liability, Insurance
Education/Bar Admissions
Mr. Murphy received a B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 1969 from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He received his J.D., with honors in 1980 from DePaul University College of Law.
Mr. Murphy was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1980 and also has been admitted to the following trial and appellate courts:
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (including the trial bar)
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- Tribal Court, Prairie Band of the Potawatomi Nation
In addition, Mr. Murphy has been admitted pro hac vice in 14 states.
Professional Activities
Mr. Murphy is active in various professional and civic organizations, including:
- Chicago Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute, Product Liability Committee
- Federalist Society
- International Society of Primerus Law Firms (Primerus Defense Institute)
Publications
"The Economic Loss Doctrine – An Impediment to Recovery in Y2K Lawsuits," Claims Magazine, November 1999.
"Illinois Robbery Statute Construed – The Introduction of a Specific Intent Element (People v. White)," 27 DePaul Law Review 837, 1978.
Speeches and Presentations
"Effective Techniques in Defending the Multi-Vehicle & Multi-Party Accident," Primerus Defense Institute transportation conference, January 2009.
"Enhanced Injury Doctrine in Child Car Seat Litigation, Injuries Caused by 'Second Impact' – What's New," Defense Research Institute children's products manufacturer's meeting, February 2006.
"Jewel Warehouse Fire – Hillside, Illinois," Illinois Association of Arson Investigators, May 2005.
"Cross Examination of Plaintiff's Witnesses," Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, April 2004.
"Narrowing the Scope of Discovery for Substantially Similar Products," Defense Research Institute children's products manufacturer's meeting, February 2000.
"The Seat Belt Defense in Products Liability Cases," Defense Research Institute Specialized Litigation Group mid-year meeting, September 1998.
Attorney News & Announcements
Four Lipe Lyons Attorneys Recognized as Super Lawyers in 2014
Five Lipe Lyons Attorneys Recognized by Leading Lawyers Network