Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. has stepped up as the Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, a position cemented by the Attorney General as of March 28, 2025. A seasoned figure in the legal realm, Murphy's tenure in the Memphis office began back in 1989, revealing a commitment to the city that spans decades. His ascent to this role follows a stint as Acting U.S. Attorney from 2021 to 2023, after serving as First Assistant U.S. Attorney starting in 2018, according to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Tennessee.
Having cut his teeth on both the criminal division and the drug task force unit, Murphy brought a wealth of experience as a line Assistant U.S. Attorney, to the serious nature of prosecuting crimes. With a notable record of over 125 felony cases tried to verdict, his legal acumen was honed on cases ranging from health care fraud to pension fund thefts. Working his way up, he was also a key player as Criminal Chief in 2011, where he oversaw other Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
This appointment marks a continued investment in the leadership of the Western District's legal affairs, with Murphy not only grappling with serious crimes within the courtroom but also taking arguments to the appellate level. His experience extends to representing the government in over 200 cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and he's no stranger to the rigors of argument, vigorously defending his positions before the court on numerous occasions, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Tennessee.
