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Judge Michael Murray immortalised with law library
“Resolute advocate and champion of legal education”, the Honourable Michael Murray QC AM has been immortalised with the naming of a university library in the hopes that his name will still inspire young students “for generations to come”.
Naomi Neilson
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The law library at Western Australia’s Murdoch University – named for The Honourable Justice Murray – will honour a “globally respected voice in the profession” and ensure students know his name and all he did for legal education during his illustrious career.
Murdoch University vice-chancellor Eeva Leinonen said the name was “fitting”, adding: “Naming the law library in his honour is a tribute which will continue to inspire the next generation of Murdoch law alumni as custodians of legal knowledge.”
Justice Murray was one of Western Australia’s most experienced, respected and high-profile Supreme Court judges. His career includes appointments as Crown counsel and president of the law society. He was also the youngest chief crown prosecutor, where he took on major, high-profile roles and cases during his early 30s.
Throughout his life, he was also a “highly-valued and long standing supporter” of Western Australia’s university and its law students. He was a key figure in the establishment and long-term success of Murdoch University Law School as it was his vision that helped redress the shortage of young lawyers at a time when there was only one law school in the state.
His service to the university included serving as deputy chancellor for five years in the 1990s and a member of the University Senate. Throughout his nine years as a senate member, Justice Murray was a “highly influential figure and leading custodian” of legal academic values and standards for the university and its students.
“Michael Murray was committed to passing on knowledge and experiences to younger practitioners and building the skills and capacities of the legal fraternity,” said Professor Leinonen.
In 1999, Justice Murray was awarded an honorary law doctorate and in 2012 – after his retirement from the Supreme Court after serving 22 years – he became an adjunct professor. In recent years, he served as a member of the Banksia Association Advisory Committee and helped raise $250,000 to support degree scholarships.
Justice Murray died in July this year. The Western Australian Law Society said he left behind a legacy of “great dedication, enthusiasm and integrity”.
“Justice Murray will be sorely missed by the Murdoch University community, but his memory will live on, inspiring students seeking to follow in his footsteps and build their careers in law,” Professor Leinonen said.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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