---
title: "Michael R. Murphy | KnowJudges"
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# Michael R. Murphy

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Circuit Judge
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- As a senior judge, Murphy continues to hear cases on the Tenth Circuit, with recent decisions in 2026 including United States v.
- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 1995-2012
- Judge, Utah District Court, Third District, 1986-1995; presiding judge, 1990-1995
- Law clerk, Hon. David T. Lewis, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 1972-1973
- He clerked for Judge David Thomas Lewis on the Tenth Circuit from 1972 to 1973
- Michael Roland Murphy is a Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

### Education

- He earned his B.A. in 1969 from Creighton University and his J.D. in 1972 from the University of Wyoming College of Law, graduating with honors and serving as Editor‐in‐Chief of the Law Review.

### Additional information

- 2012: Assumed senior status on December 31, 2012.
- 1995: Nominated by President Bill Clinton on July 25, 1995, to replace Judge Monroe G. McKay.
- Commissioned August 14, 1995.
- Confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 11, 1995, by voice vote.
- 1986: Appointed by Governor Norman Bangerter to the Third District Court of Utah.
- Private practice, Salt Lake City, UT, 1973-1986
- Private practice, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1973-1986
- 1973–1985: Private practice in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Born August 6, 1947, Denver, Colorado.
- Date of birth: 1947-01-01
- Ostertag and Joyner v.
- Frontier Airlines.
- His official court profile is available via the U.S. Courts Tenth Circuit site.
- Murphy was born in Denver, Colorado, and later grew up in a small Wyoming town.
- Birth place: Denver, CO

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### appellate oral argument

Scope: courtwide

In federal courts of appeals, oral argument is allowed unless a three-judge panel unanimously finds one of Rule 34's specified grounds for dispensing with it; the clerk provides the date, time, place, and time allocation.

Evidence excerpt: Oral argument must be allowed in every case unless a panel of three judges who have examined the briefs and record unanimously agrees that oral argument is unnecessary

[Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1385541)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1385541)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1385541)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2361/michael-r-murphy/)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2361/michael-r-murphy/)
- [Judge Michael R. Murphy](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1385541)

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