Michael Murphy

J.D., University of Michigan Law School

B.A., Oakland University

Michael Murphy is a Clinical Professor of Law and the Director of the Entrepreneurial Business Law Clinic (EBLC) at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

In that role, he supervises law students in the EBLC, a transactional law clinic that provides free legal services to social ventures and community entrepreneurs. Before joining Moritz, Professor Murphy taught and supervised student attorneys in entrepreneurship clinics at Duke University School of Law and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and taught a “Happiness, Well-Being, and Lawyering” course at Duke Law.

Professor Murphy’s research explores social entrepreneurship and how members of the legal profession can lead happier lives, particularly through exposure to entrepreneurs. His current research focus is on the practice of making mistakes, a topic he approaches through both traditional scholarship and sometimes unintentional fieldwork.

Professor Murphy’s diverse legal career spans law firm practice, in-house counsel roles, and entrepreneurship. He has been a litigator at a large firm, served as in-house counsel for a financial technology company, and co-founded multiple ventures. Outside of the classroom, he practices improvised theater and is an award-winning storyteller. He lives in Columbus with his wife and two mischievous dogs, Little Ann and Spock.