No matter the case, Murphy gives it his all

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Patrick Murphy straddles two very different types of practice — insurance coverage and intellectual-property litigation — but enjoys the test of his abilities each brings.

“IP is the cutting edge and everyone wants to talk about it, while insurance-coverage litigation isn’t talked about much,” said Murphy, an associate at Quarles & Brady LLP’s Milwaukee office.

In both types of cases, Murphy said, there’s a lot at stake for those involved.

“IP work is very complex and the stakes are very high for the companies involved,” he said. “But with my insurance work, it’s very rewarding, since I’m trying to bring resources back to an individual who thought they were covered by insurance.”

The son of two attorneys, Murphy became interested in the law after seeing the influence his parents had on other people’s lives. As for the practice areas he eventually gravitated to, he followed in the shoes of legal mentors, including his partner David Cross, whose work he admired.

“In law, people come to you when they have a problem, and it’s your job to help them navigate the issue and reach a resolution,” Murphy said. “It’s very gratifying.”

Among other things, he has spent his time doing pro bono work at the Quarles & Brady/Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic at the United Community Center. Murphy is nearly fluent in Spanish, a language that comes in handy at a clinic whose clients often do not speak English as their first language.

“Patrick’s ability to listen to these clients explain their problems in their own words and their native language and his ability to speak directly to them — relying on translators only to ensure he is being understood — makes a tremendous difference in the clients’ confidence in the process, and makes him worth his weight in gold as a regular volunteer,” said Katharine Maloney Perhach, managing partner at Quarles & Brady’s Milwaukee office.

Murphy said no matter the case, whether it’s an IP case with companies battling over trademarks or helping a client at the volunteer clinic, he always gives it his all.

“Every client deserves my best, and I work really hard to meet their expectations,” he said. “In litigation, every case is different, which makes it a great challenge.”