EMPLOYMENT
Murphy Law Firm, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Principal and Owner (July 2008 to present)
Founder and Managing Attorney of Murphy Law Firm, an immigration only law firm. Representing individuals and businesses before the United States Immigration Courts, Federal Courts and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency, as well as the Inited States Supreme Court. Managing a team of attorneys and staff and providing direction on all cases for all clients.
Immigrare, Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania
President and Founder (April 2008 to present).
Developed an Internet-based program that evaluates issues related to immigration status and provides a report containing potential immigration charges, whether detention is possible, possible options for relief, as well as consequences of criminal convictions and pleas.
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Senior Counsel (November 2007 to July 2008)
Represented Universities, Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies and individuals before the Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration Courts, and Federal Courts. Successfully represented dozens of clients in mandamus actions against the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of Justice. Also represented a number of high profile clients throughout the United States in Federal District Court and Circuit Court of Appeals actions as well as Immigration Court actions.
United States Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(formerly United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service)
Assistant Chief Counsel
Philadelphia, PA (March 2005 to October 2007) and (July 2001 to August 2004);
York, PA (May 1997 to July 2001).
Represent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in all matters before the Immigration Courts at detention facilities in York, PA, and White Deer, PA, as well as the Immigration Courts in various cities. These matters include: Removal, Deportation and Exclusion Proceedings; Asylum; Cancellation of Removal; Adjustment of Status; Rescissions; Derivative Citizenship Issues; Marriage Fraud; Visa Overstays; Visa Waiver Fraud; Administrative Removals; Credible Fear Reviews; Torture Convention Cases; and Employer Sanctions Cases.
Review, prepare and present cases at trial and on appeal. Filed more than 400 appeals with the Board of Immigration Appeals during the four year period assigned to York, PA — prevailing in over 90% of these appeals.
Represent ICE in meetings, at conferences and in other forums. Prepare legal advice, legal assistance and litigation support to the U.S. Attorney’s office and ICE operational units throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia. Frequently provide advice to the Examinations section of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, now U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Also provide advice to immigration inspectors at the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Airports. Advise the ICE deportation staff and coordinate matters with prison staff in the eight adult and juvenile detention facilities housing the District’s detention population. Served as Acting Chief Counsel on a regular basis while assigned to the Philadelphia office.
National Security and Special Interest Attorney from 1997 through 2004. One of two attorneys for the Philadelphia District that handled all national security, terrorist related, and other special interest cases in the Immigration Courts in Philadelphia and York, Pennsylvania. Also assisted operational units in immigration fraud and criminal investigations.
Associate Legal Advisor
Washington, DC (May 2004 to June 2004) and (August 2004 to March 2005).
National Security Law Division – Office of the Principal Legal Advisor. This division has a crucial role in the Department of Homeland Security efforts to protect the national security of the United States. Responsible for overseeing and coordinating nationally cases involving international terrorism, counter-terrorism, espionage and other threats to the national security. Provided legal, technical, and policy advice to the Principal Legal Advisor and Headquarters operational components regarding national security. Actively coordinated cases with other law enforcement, agencies, intelligence agencies, and the United States Attorney offices. Participated in the management of national security cases – overseeing the development of trial strategy and written work product in the field offices. Reviewed and drafted legislation, policy memoranda, and management directives as they pertained to national security. Represented the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor in meetings with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of State, Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and Interpol. Served as acting chief of the division on occasion. As senior member of the division – provided guidance to other members of the team on a daily basis.
United States Department of Justice,
Office of the United States Attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Special Assistant United States Attorney (January 2003 to August 2004)
Appointed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney to assist in the criminal prosecution for ongoing large-scale immigration fraud cases arising in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Assisted in coordinating a multi-agency, multi-state criminal investigation connected with immigration.
Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, PA.
Adjunct Professor of Law.
Basic Immigration Law. Advanced Immigration Law (August 2001 to May 2003).
International Organizations (March 1997 to May 1998).
Recognition of teaching effectiveness through a significant contribution to the Scholarship Fund at the James Beasley School of Law at Temple University by the graduating Evening Law Class of 2003.
Law Offices of Theodore J. Murphy, Glen Mills, PA.
Sole Practice (January 1995 to May 1997).
General practice with primary practice areas in Immigration and Family Law throughout several counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Began representing detained Chinese asylum seekers from the ship “Golden Venture” while completing Master-of-Law degree at Temple Law School. Responsible for organizing and reviewing work product from a staff of student volunteers writing habeas petitions for hundreds of detained individuals. Represented aliens from several African, Middle-Eastern and Southeast Asian countries.
Immigration practice featured in lead article for Suburban Edition of Philadelphia’s legal newspaper – The Legal Intelligencer, September 11, 1996. Developed an expertise in juvenile immigration cases. Instructed law students and attorneys on juvenile immigration law for the Philadelphia Volunteer Indigent Project. Advised other attorneys throughout the United States on juvenile immigration matters. Successful challenges in State Courts resulted in the re-drafting of federal regulations governing custody of juvenile aliens.
First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Executive Administrator’s Office, Philadelphia, PA.
Law Student Intern (June 1992 to May 1994).
Assisted Court management in reorganizing the Philadelphia Courts. Researched legal issues for the Executive Administrator. Served on two committees for the First Judicial District – Bench/Bar Counsel Fees Committee and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Implementing Committee. As a member of the Bench/Bar Counsel Fees Committee, assisted in designing and implementing a new system for appointment and payment of court-appointed attorneys for criminal and family courts. While a member of the ADA Implementing Committee was responsible for reviewing and ensuring compliance with ADA implementation timetables by the Philadelphia Courts. Also assisted in coordinating with citywide implementation efforts.
United States Army (1984 to 1988).
Combat Weapons Specialist
Assigned to infantry units in the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and the 1st Armored Division in Germany. Qualified expert for many weapons used by the United States Infantry. Responsible for teaching infantry and weapons skills to personnel while assigned to non-infantry units.
Personnel Administration Specialist and Supervisor
Assigned to personnel administration centers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Germany. Assisted in major streamlining of one battalion personnel administration center serving approximately 800 soldiers. Supervised programs for assignment of personnel, payroll and finance, promotions and awards, military education.
Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Warfare Defense Supervisor
Responsible for training 1400 soldiers in all aspects of defense for nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. Completely reorganized and upgraded NBC capabilities for the 18th Airborne Corps’ 330th Movement Control Center.
EDUCATION
Master of Laws Degree (International Law) – January 1997
Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, PA.
First Master-of-Law in International Law from Temple University School of Law. Prior to the Fall semester of 1994, Temple University did not offer a Master-of-Laws (LLM) degree program in International Law. Proposed a course of study to the faculty during the 1993-94 school year for an LLM in International Law that was accepted as a solo pilot program. Course work was completed during the 1994-95 school year. Thesis was re-written during the following winter and completed early in the summer of 1996. It is now maintained in the rare book collection in the Law Library. Graduated with a 3.64 GPA, now recognized as “with distinction”. The solo pilot program was successful – the International (Transnational) Law LLM is regularly offered and has dozens of students each year.
Thesis: Conventional Arms Transfers and the Violations of International Law: An Emerging Trend for Banning the Transfer of Conventional Weapons
Honors: The Captain Robert Miller Knox Award; Dean’s List Fall 1994, Spring 1995; Distinguished Class Performance — International Organizations; Outstanding Oral Advocacy — Comparative Law Dispute Settlements.
Activities: Regional Administrator — Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition. Team won the regional championship and finished seventh in international championship competition.
Juris Doctor Degree – May 1994
Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, PA.
Writings: War Crimes; Humanitarian Obligations of the United States.
Nationalization of Commercial Properties by Foreign Sovereigns.
Honors: Barrister Award.
Activities: Co-Chair and Team Member — Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court; Team awarded best brief in 1993 and 1994 in regional competitions. Summer Abroad Program — Rome Italy.
Bachelor of Arts Degree – May 1983
Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
Dual Major: History and Government (Political Theory).
Activities: Varsity Track.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Main Line Top Immigration Lawyer – Selected by Main Line Today Magazine, Philadelphia, PA (July 20, 2010).
Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award — United States Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, June 30 2003; United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, December 6, 2002, September 27, 2001 and September 25, 2000.
Superior Accomplishment Award — United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, March 31, 1999.
The Captain Robert Miller Knox Award — Temple University School of Law, Spring 1995. Awarded to the graduate(s) chosen by the Faculty for most outstanding contribution to the Law School Community.
The Barrister Award — Temple University School of Law, Spring 1994. Awarded for most distinguished performance in trial advocacy.
Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster); Good Conduct Medal; Expert Infantry Badge, and Parachutist Badge.
Distinguished Honor Graduate — US Army Infantry School, 1984.
Distinguished Honor Graduate — US Army Soldier Support Institute, 1986.
Distinguished Honor Graduate — XVIII Airborne Corps, Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defense School, 1987.
BAR ADMISSIONS
Pennsylvania Supreme Court — November 23, 1994.
United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals — September 23, 1998.
United States Supreme Court — March 20, 2000.
United States District Court – Eastern District of Pennsylvania – November 7, 2007.
United States District Court – Middle District of Pennsylvania – June 13, 2008.
MEMBERSHIPS and BOARDS
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Chester County Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
American Bar Association
Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center – Board of Directors Member
PANELS, LECTURES & WRITINGS
Presenter – “Post Padilla: Practical Guidance in Advising the Client” Office of the Public Defender CLE Series, Wilmington Delaware- October 2010.
Presenter – “Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity and Ethical Considerations” 27th Annual Criminal Law Symposium, Pennsylvania Bar Institute – June 2010.
Guest Speaker – “Family Immigration Law Issues” – Wilmington, Delaware Bench/Bar Dinner– May 2010
Presenter – “Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity”, Chester County Pennsylvania Bar Association Spring Seminar – March 2010.
Guest Speaker – “Immigration Law Issues” – Delaware Inns of Court for Sussex and Kent Counties, Delaware – October 2009
Organizer – Fall 2009 Philadelphia Regional Immigration Conference, sponsored by the Chester County Pennsylvania Bar Association – October 2009
Presenter – “Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity”, Sussex County Delaware Bar Association, Sussex County, Delaware, October 2009.
Presenter – “Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity”, Chester County Pennsylvania Bar Association Spring Seminar, March 2009.
Instructor – AILA Philadelphia Chapter Seminar – March 2008.
Co-Author – “Employers of “Essential” Workers: Worksite Enforcement – The ICE Man
Cometh”, Immigration Options for Essential Workers, An AILA Publication – 2008.
Panel Member – Seminar on Immigration and Criminal Law for Attorneys, Federal Bar
Association Easter Pennsylvania Chapter – February 25, 2003.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Assistant Track Coach, The Haverford School, Haverford PA (December 1993 to May 1997)
Coached Indoor and Outdoor Track teams including several individual and relay champions.
Processing Technician and Veterans Affairs Representative, Fitzgerald Mercy Catholic Medical Center,
Darby, PA (1990 to 1991)
Land Surveyor, Yerkes Associates, West Chester, PA (1988 to 1990)