In Memoriam of the Honorable Sheila Moira Murphy
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The UIC Law community mourns the passing of Judge Sheila Murphy. She was Cook County’s first female presiding judge and a force for restorative justice. For countless individuals, her legacy will forever symbolize the fight for the rights of women, children, and the marginalized.
Judge Murphy’s remarkable legal career spanned nearly five decades, marked by unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements. After graduating from DePaul Law School, she began her career as a public defender, serving in that role for nearly two decades. In 1989, she ascended to the bench as an associate judge. This accomplishment distinguished her as one of the eleven judges selected from a competitive pool of 257 candidates. Notably, she was the only woman among them. In 1992, Judge Murphy successfully ran for and was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County, where she served as the presiding judge of a municipal district until 1999.
In 1999, Judge Murphy took a bold step by joining Rothschild, Barry & Myers, where she became a passionate advocate for death-row inmates, tirelessly fighting for those facing the ultimate punishment. Her dedication to justice propelled her to actively champion the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois. By 2011, she had transitioned into academia, embracing her role as an adjunct professor and co-director of the Restorative Justice Project at our law school, where she inspired future legal minds (and seasoned veterans) with her profound commitment to transforming the justice system.
In 2019, Judge Murphy was honored with the John Paul Stevens Award by the Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Foundation. Her contributions to the legal community have been widely acknowledged, being honored with the Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois Judicial Council and the Kenneth Wilson Award from the Cook County Bar Association. The American Bar Association and the National Association of Women Judges jointly recognized her for her work in restorative justice.
In 2023, Judge Murphy was honored with the “Outstanding Partnership” award by the Union League Boys and Girls Club (ULBGC) for her work in restorative justice with UIC Law’s Professor Michael Seng. Several years ago, ULBGC approached Judge Murphy and Professor Seng to bring restorative justice practices to the clubs’ Pilsen and Humbolt Park sites. As a result, they successfully obtained a grant from Cook County to fund the program. The award recognized the significance of restorative justice in transforming the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who often face violence in their communities.
Judge Murphy has made significant contributions to legal scholarship across various fields, particularly in restorative justice. She co-edited the books Restorative Justice in Practice: A Holistic Approach and Readings in Restorative Justice with Professor Seng. She also authored numerous articles, including Remembering Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Drug Courts: An Effective, Efficient Weapon in the War on Drugs, Guardians Ad Litem: The Guardian Angels of Our Children in Domestic Violence Court, and Restorative Justice in Chicago and Abroad, among others.
In announcing the passing of Judge Murphy, the Chicago Tribune proclaimed that “Sheila Murphy lived life on the side of the underdog” and that “her empathy for the marginalized and penchant for forgiveness . . . made her an extraordinary human being.” Judge Murphy’s unwavering commitment to justice and compassion for the marginalized has left an indelible mark on the legal community and society as a whole. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations to advocate for those whose voices are often unheard, ensuring that her spirit of restorative justice endures.