Emily Murphy

Professor of Law and Harry & Lillian Hastings Research Chair

Bio

Professor Murphy’s research focuses on the intersection of neuroscience, behavioral science, and law. She writes about the use of neuroscience as evidence and how neuroscience and behavioral science shape public policy and legal systems. Her work has been published or is forthcoming in Stanford Law Review, The Journal of Law & the Biosciences, Connecticut Law Review, William & Mary Law Review, Law & Psychology Review, Psychology Public Policy & Law, and Science.

Professor Murphy earned her A.B. magna cum laude in Psychology from Harvard University, her Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology from University of Cambridge, Trinity College, as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, and her J.D. from Stanford Law School.  Prior to law school she was a postdoc with the Program in Neuroethics at the Stanford Center for Biomecial Ethics, Stanford Law School’s Center for Law and the Biosciences as well as the MacArthur Foundation’s Law and Neuroscience Project. Following law school, she clerked for the Honorable Richard A. Paez of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Prior to joining UC Law SF, Professor Murphy spent a year as a fellow in the Program in Understanding Law, Science, and Evidence at UCLA Law School. Before that, she practiced law at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, handling all aspects of complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on professional liability and internal investigations. Her pro bono practice focused on housing issues and civil rights work addressing homelessness and incarcerated persons with disabilities.

Education

  • Stanford Law School
    J.D.
    2012

  • University of Cambridge, Trinity College
    Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroscience / Psychopharmacology
    2007

  • Harvard University
    A.B., Psychology / Mind, Brain, Behavior
    2003

Courses

  • Contracts
  • Evidence
  • Law & Behavioral Science