Linda Alle-Murphy
Litigation Services
Philadelphia Office

BACKGROUND
The law is a second career for me. I received my Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School with a major in cello. After that, I completed my studies with Janos Starker at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen, Germany. As a cellist, I lived in Germany and gave concerts in Germany and also in France, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Latvia, the US, Canada and even the Faroe Islands! It was exciting in many ways, but I was beginning to feel the need to not just comment on the human condition as an artist but to effect change in people’s lives more immediately, as the law does.

My career in the law began after I returned to the States. Although still teaching cello, I enrolled in the paralegal program at Villanova. At my first meeting with my faculty advisor, I asked whether a music major could attend law school. When he said yes, my goal was clear. I eventually entered law school in the evening division at Temple Law while working as an intellectual property paralegal in one of the large firms in Philadelphia. I think my fears about succeeding in an academic environment after a purely musical higher education were finally put to rest when I saw my student comment in print in the Temple Law Review.

I had worked at Schnader as a paralegal and then participated in the summer clerks program. Both experiences were very positive. When I received an offer to become an associate at the firm, the decision to accept seemed a very natural one. I have not regretted it.

MY WORK HERE AT SCHNADER
I am proud to be part of a firm that has a tradition of excellence in both written product and oral advocacy. Although I specialize in commercial litigation matters, my work experience has covered diverse areas in my relatively brief time in practice.

For a large overnight package carrier, I handled several smaller hearings on my own. In one case, we achieved a favorable settlement, and in the other, the complaint was dismissed based on the federal preemption defense that I raised at the hearing. I prepared and examined the witnesses myself, and was responsible for making strategy decisions. It was gratifying to be entrusted with a smaller matter, but for a client that is important to the firm.

I have also been able to participate in complex, high-stakes commercial disputes. These cases have provided invaluable learning experience and responsibilities of a sort different from the smaller matter I have just described. E-discovery plays a large role in these cases, there are many issues and a large cast of characters of witnesses, investors, defendants, and attorneys.

One other aspect of my work at Schnader should not go unmentioned: the opportunity to work with top litigation partners at an early stage of one’s career. These litigators provide a wealth of experience and training. There is also a willingness on the part of these partners to educate and mentor a more junior associate. I am often asked for my ideas about arguments we should be making and how we should be making them. I remember that in my first year at the firm, a partner I very much respected told me that he could think of no more valuable way to spend time then brainstorming with an associate. That same partner pointed out that millions of dollars depend on ideas in our profession. He formulated what interests me most about my work as an attorney: the power of a strong legal argument. I have been given many opportunities at Schnader to follow that interest and develop that skill.

PRO BONO
I have a special interest in women’s issues and helping other women. I have found plenty of opportunity to do so at Schnader. I have worked on three pro bono immigration cases involving women.

In one case, Schnader was brought in at the appellate level and achieved a favorable result after an uphill battle. I was recognized for my work on the case with the HIAS Pro Bono Award. In another case, I obtained legal permanent resident status for a woman who had been the victim of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, who was a naturalized U.S. citizen. I was also, with the help of other Schnader attorneys, able to obtain legal permanent resident status for her two minor foreign-born children. What a good feeling to receive a phone call from a happy mother that her children’s green cards have arrived in the mail! Right now I am working on an asylum case involving a woman who has also been the victim of severe domestic violence. Maybe I have found my pro bono calling?

MY PERSONAL LIFE
I became a lawyer and a mother in the same year. The “mother” part came through the adoption of our now three-year-old son from Bulgaria. During the lengthy and often frustrating adoption process, people at Schnader were very supportive in both their professional capacities and on a personal level. For example, I had to submit a letter regarding my employment to the Bulgarian authorities. Going beyond what was required of her, the director of legal recruiting wrote a thoughtful, thorough, and very helpful letter of recommendation.

Now that I am a working mom, I am finding that I have plenty of company at the firm, both moms and dads, and even one very helpful grandmother! I may receive a tip for a babysitter while picking up my breakfast at the firm’s cafeteria, I may ask a fellow associate how he survived his paternity leave, or my son may talk to “Miss Diana” (the managing partner!) if I stop by with him at the office. So far I am balancing my time and energy and, thanks both to the family-friendly atmosphere at Schnader and the help and cooperation of a wonderful husband, have been able to do justice to my work while still having enough time to read to my son, take him on outings, and watch him develop and grow.

I also am still able to pursue my musical interests with the occasional cello gig, attending a good concert now and then, and playing my 1929 Becker piano.

If you would like to get in touch with me with any questions about Schnader, please click here.