Susan M. Donnelly Murphy

Susan Murphy is an experienced trial attorney, having successfully defended many clients in courts throughout the Commonwealth. Within the field of civil litigation, her practice is concentrated in the representation of health care professionals in medical malpractice actions and before the various Boards of Registration which govern these professionals. The medical aspect of Susan’s practice covers all areas of medical specialty and includes minor to catastrophic injuries and death. Susan also represents not for profit social service agencies. She has a successful record of resolving lawsuits via trial, mediation, arbitration and dispositive motions. Susan has tried over 30 medical malpractice cases to verdict.

Susan is a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association and served as that organization’s President from 2007-2008. The Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association is a voluntary association of trial lawyers who defend individuals, corporations and insurance companies in civil lawsuits; its purpose is to improve the administration of justice, legal education, and professional standards of the defense bar. Susan has also been elected as a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, an invitation only, peer reviewed association comprised of the world’s leading corporate and insurance defense attorneys.

In addition to her practice and involvement with bar associations, Susan is a frequent educational lecturer on legal and risk management issues to attorneys and healthcare providers. She has also been published in the legal and medical literature on these topics.

Practice Areas

• Medical Malpractice
• Not for Profit social Service Agencies
• Professional Licensing and Regulatory

Bar and Court Admissions

• Massachusetts, 1983
• United States District Court, Massachusetts, 1984
• United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 1993

Education

• Suffolk University Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1983
• University of Vermont, B.A., 1980

Professional Memberships

• Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association (President 2007-2008)
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Massachusetts Bar Association

Legal Publication and Significant Cases

• The Defense of Civil Lawsuits, “Written Discovery: Interrogatories, Requests for Production and Requests for Admission”, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 2001.
• “Challenging Junk Science Testimony”, FORUM, March 2001, Vol. 21, Number 1.
• Lennard T., ed., Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice 2d.Ed., “Medicolegal Issues”, Julie K. Silver, M.D. and Susan M. Donnelly, J.D. (Hanley & Belfus, Inc. 2000).
• “Yes Isn’t Always Yes”, Unique Opportunities, March/April 2000, Vol. 10, Number 2.
• How To Handle OB/GYN Malpractice Cases, "Preconception Torts", Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 1993.