Michael Murphy Brings Four Decades of Political Know-How and Lobbying Acumen to McCarter Government Solutions

Will Work Alongside McCarter & English’s Law Firm Government Affairs Practice

Newark, N.J.—April 17, 2023—McCarter & English announced today that Michael Murphy, the founder of State Street’s venerable lobbying firm, ImpactNJ, has joined the firm’s separately operated subsidiary, McCarter Government Solutions, LLC, in its Trenton office. Murphy brings decades of experience, countless relationships in the state, and a family legacy of public service to McCarter’s lobbying offshoot. He will work alongside the firm’s lawyers and government affairs professionals to achieve clients’ strategic goals in the state.

“We are delighted to have Michael join our lobbying subsidiary, and we are looking forward to partnering with him,” said McCarter & English’s Firmwide Managing Partner, Joseph Boccassini. “He has spent a lifetime in public service, starting when his stepfather, Richard J. Hughes, was Governor and then Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. I’m very pleased that we can now offer our clients the benefits of his experience, numerous relationships, and incredible political insight.”

Murphy is a former Morris County prosecutor and a former candidate for Governor. During his career, he has been named to several significant statewide commissions by both Democratic and Republican governors. Murphy currently serves on the board of the Community Foundation of New Jersey.

“I am looking forward to operating on an expanded platform and working in tandem with McCarter & English’s Government Affairs Chair, Guillermo Artiles, in addition to other members of the law firm’s prestigious bipartisan lobbying practice,” said Murphy. “Lobbying is the combination of relationships and advocacy, and working with McCarter’s legal and lobbying team means working with the best to help advance some of the most important interests in the state.”

Among many achievements during his four decades as a lobbyist in the Garden State, Murphy was involved in promoting same-sex marriage, abolishing the death penalty, and advocating for the cannabis industry—he was instrumental in securing a license for the first successful medical marijuana dispensary in the state and has worked in the recreational marijuana space as well.

Ryan Magee, who advises cannabis businesses on a broad spectrum of issues, joined the law firm in Newark last month.

“In addition to bringing his longtime clients to McCarter Government Solutions, we expect Michael to play an instrumental role in aiding the firm’s work with clients in industries that drive the state’s economy, including health care, cannabis, transportation, energy, and manufacturing,” said Artiles. “He’s a pillar of the New Jersey lobbying community, and his contacts and network throughout the state can benefit the law firm’s clients in many different industries.”

Murphy, who works across industry sectors, has repeatedly been named to Politicker’s Power List as one of the state’s “100 most politically influential personalities,” and New Jersey Monthly has listed him in its Power Issue of the Garden State’s most influential people.

Murphy is currently a Visiting Associate at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, the state university, and he has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Eagleton, teaching politics and government affairs. Murphy earned his BS at Georgetown University and his JD at Seton Hall University School of Law. He also completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

About McCarter Government Solutions, LLC

McCarter Government Solutions, LLC, is a public affairs firm specializing in government relations and lobbying. It is a subsidiary of the law firm McCarter & English, LLP. We advocate for our clients in public policy areas, including appropriations, banking, development finance, gaming, economic development, education, energy, health care, labor relations, pharmaceuticals, procurement, public finance, technology, and transportation. Services provided by McCarter Government Solutions are not legal services and do not have the protections of a lawyer-client relationship, such as the application of the lawyer-client privilege.

About McCarter & English, LLP

McCarter & English, LLP, delivers innovative solutions to clients nationwide. Fortune 100, mid-market, and emerging growth companies rely on McCarter to handle their cutting-edge transactional, intellectual property, and complex litigation matters. Clients benefit from the firm’s relationship-driven approach, deep understanding of their businesses and legal needs, lean and efficient service model, and determination to help them move their businesses forward. For more information, visit www.mccarter.com.