Principal/Shareholder
Niels P. Murphy is a top-rated trial, appellate, and arbitration attorney. As lead counsel, he has represented Fortune 500 Companies, small businesses, professionals, and individuals in hundreds of lawsuits, regulatory, and arbitration matters around the United States for over 25 years. Mr. Murphy currently handles complex matters involving securities, compliance, regulatory, business disputes, product liability, professional liability, construction, employment, ERISA, insurance coverage disputes, life and disability claims, and serious personal injury.
Mr. Murphy is admitted to practice before all courts of Florida and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. He has an “AV Preeminent” rating in the renowned Martindale-Hubbell legal directory, which is reserved for attorneys who have “usually practiced for many years, and [are] recognized for the highest levels of professional excellence.” Mr. Murphy was selected by his peers as the 2025 "Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation - Securities in Jacksonville. He was also selected as the “Best Lawyers in America” from 2010-present. He is listed in “Florida Super Lawyers” (2009-present) (2013-present “Top 100 Lawyers in Florida”), “Jacksonville Magazine” Legal Elite (2009-present), “Jacksonville Magazine” Top Lawyers (2009-present), “Florida Trend's Legal Elite" (2010-present), “904 Magazine” Best Lawyers (2010-present), and is only one of a handful of Board Certified lawyers in Jacksonville designated by The Florida Bar as an "Expert in Business Litigation." It is the highest level of recognition for specialization by The Florida Bar and requires significant trial experience and a rigorous qualifying exam.
Mr. Murphy earned his Bachelor’s Degree, cum laude, in the top 10% of his class from Vanderbilt University and his law degree, with honors, from the University of Florida. While a student at the University of Florida College of Law, he served as Chairman of the Moot Court Competition Team, and his writing skills earned him a position as a teaching assistant in Legal Research and Writing. Mr. Murphy served as an LBJ Scholar intern in the United States House of Representatives and interned for a U.S. Senator. He began his legal career as an associate with the international law firm of Holland & Knight and served as a named partner with the boutique litigation law firm Liles, Gavin, Costantino & Murphy.
Mr. Murphy currently serves as a Master in the prestigious Chester Bedell Inn of Court and formerly acted as Chair of the Commercial Litigation Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association. He is an Emeritus member of the Civil Procedure Rules Committee of The Florida Bar. Mr. Murphy enjoys golf and basketball. He and his wife, Lynne, have 3 children and live in historic San Marco.
Outside his extensive legal experience, Mr. Murphy also has a deep interest in healthcare and pharmaceutical matters, reflecting his broader concern for well-being and quality of life. One area he has been researching recently is the treatment of specific health conditions, including premature ejaculation. This has led him to explore new pharmaceutical solutions, such as cheap Priligy, a prescription medication known to help manage this particular condition.
Professional Associations & Memberships:
- American Bar Association, Member
- Florida Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- Jacksonville Bar Association, Member
- Jacksonville Bar Association – Chair, Emeritus, Commercial Litigation Section
- Florida Bar Association (Board Certified in Business Litigation) – Trial Lawyers Section Member; Civil Procedure Rules Committee Member (Emeritus)
- Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), Member
- Bedell Inn of Court, Master (2011-present); Barrister (2005-2008)
Past Employment Positions:
- Holland & Knight (Associate)
- Liles, Gavin, Costantino & Murphy (Named Partner)
- United States Senate, Intern
- United States House of Representatives, LBJ Scholar Intern
Civic Organizations & Volunteer Work:
- Duval County Teen Court, Presiding Officer (emeritus)
- Episcopal School of Jacksonville; President, Alumni Association (2007-2009); Member, Board of Trustees (2007-2016)
- Youth Sports Volunteer
Teaching Experience:
- Teaching Assistant, Legal Research & Writing, University of Florida
- IPE – Complex Legal Drafting
- AEM – Annual Seminar
- Teach For America, Nashville, TN, Inner City School Program
- DRI - Frequent speaker on product liability issues
- SIFMA - Frequent speaker on securities and regulatory issues
Publications:
- Lost Profits (Dec. 2004)
- Proposals for Settlement – How to Avoid the Pitfalls (March, 2005)
- Confidentiality Orders in Complex Cases – How, Why & Do They Work (November, 2005)
- Heart Device Litigation (March, 2006)
