
William James Murphy, Appellate Attorney in Baltimore, Maryland
Over 48 years of legal practice · focused on Appellate, Criminal Defense, and General · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratZuckerman Spaeder LLP
Baltimore, MD
Practicing appellate in Baltimore since 1978.
- 48+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 9
- Bar admissions
Are you William James Murphy?
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Quick answer
William James Murphy is a partner based in Baltimore, MD. The practice focuses on Appellate, Criminal Defense, and General. William has over 48 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Baltimore, MD
- Experience
- over 48 years
- Known for
- Appellate · Criminal Defense · General
- Handles Appellate, Criminal Defense, and General matters from Baltimore, MD.
- Over 48 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About William James Murphy: William James Murphy is a partner based in Baltimore, MD. The practice focuses on Appellate, Criminal Defense, and General. William has over 48 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
William's practice areas in Baltimore
William concentrates on appellate, criminal defense, general, litigation, and white collar. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Appellate
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Criminal Defense
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General
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Litigation
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White Collar
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Appellate cases in Baltimore, Maryland
William takes appellate matters in Baltimore, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Criminal Defense cases in Baltimore, Maryland
William takes criminal defense matters in Baltimore, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
General cases in Baltimore, Maryland
William takes general matters in Baltimore, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Baltimore, Maryland
William takes litigation matters in Baltimore, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
White Collar cases in Baltimore, Maryland
William takes white collar matters in Baltimore, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Biography
William James Murphy, appellate attorney serving Baltimore
William James Murphy is a partner based in Baltimore, MD. The practice focuses on Appellate, Criminal Defense, and General. William has over 48 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review. William works from Baltimore, Maryland and takes on appellate matters across the region.
Mr. William James Murphy is a lawyer practicing appellate, civil litigation, legal profession and ethics and 5 other areas of law. William received a B.A. degree from St. Joseph's University in 1975, and has been licensed for 48 years. William practices at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP in Baltimore, MD.
How William handles appellate matters
Mr. William James Murphy is a lawyer practicing appellate, civil litigation, legal profession and ethics and 5 other areas of law. William received a B.A. degree from St. Joseph's University in 1975, and has been licensed for 48 years. William practices at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP in Baltimore, MD.
The kind of cases William takes
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for appellate, criminal defense, and general matters in Baltimore and the surrounding Maryland area.
Credentials
Credentials — where William studied and practices
University of Pennsylvania
J.D. · 1978
St. Joseph's University
B.A. · 1975
Jurisdictions
William's state bar admissions
Illinois
2011 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court of Appeal
1998 · ACTIVE
Maryland
1984 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1984 · ACTIVE
U.S. Supreme Court
1983 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court of Appeal
1982 · ACTIVE
District of Columbia
1981 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court of Appeal
1981 · ACTIVE
Pennsylvania
1978 · ACTIVE
William studied at J.D. in University of Pennsylvania and B.A. in St. Joseph's University.
Law school and academic background
William completed J.D. in University of Pennsylvania and B.A. in St. Joseph's University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in Maryland is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
William's legal honors and published work
William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
William's professional memberships and bar associations
of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2002, and now serves as vice chair of the organization's Maryland State Committee. For several years he has been a guest lecturer in the business law course at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, presentin
bar_fellowship
Locations
William James Murphy's office in Baltimore
William's primary office is at 100 East Pratt Street, Suite 2440, Baltimore, MD, 21202. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP
100 East Pratt Street, Suite 2440
Baltimore, MD 21202
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of William James Murphy — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing appellate attorneys in Baltimore.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William James Murphy claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire William James Murphy — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new appellate attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a appellate attorney in Baltimore, Maryland
A short list to run through before you commit: How many appellate matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in appellate practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every appellate matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many appellate practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William James Murphy
How much does it cost to hire William for a appellate case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some appellate attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do appellate cases in Maryland typically take?
Simple appellate matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Baltimore?
William is licensed in Maryland. Matters governed by Maryland law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new appellate clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Appellate attorneys serving Baltimore, Annapolis and Rockville in Maryland
William handles appellate matters throughout Maryland. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified appellate attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated appellate attorneys in Maryland
If William's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these appellate attorneys in Baltimore handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





