Lionel Keith Murphy was born in Sydney in 1922 and grew up in a working-class family that placed a high value on education and public service. He studied chemistry at the University of Sydney before turning to law, where he found his true vocation. He was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1947 and quickly established himself as a barrister of considerable range and fierce intellect. By the 1960s he had built a reputation as a fearless advocate in both criminal and civil matters, appearing in cases that often pushed against the edges of accepted legal doctrine.

Murphy was known for his quick mind, sharp rhetorical instincts, and an uncompromising belief that law should serve justice in substance, not just in form. He appeared in some of the most difficult and controversial matters of his era, often advocating for civil liberties, minority rights, and the restraint of executive power. His courtroom style was direct and challenging, and he was unafraid to question precedent when he believed it conflicted with principle. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1960 and by the early 1970s had become one of the most recognisable legal voices in the country.

His legal career was never separate from his political conscience. In 1961 he entered the Senate as a member of the Labor Party and rose to become Attorney-General in the Whitlam Government. In that role he pursued sweeping legal reforms, including the establishment of the Family Court, the introduction of no-fault divorce, and the overhaul of legal aid. His push for legislative and constitutional reform reflected the same passion for access and fairness that had marked his work at the Bar.

In 1975 Murphy was appointed to the High Court of Australia. His time on the bench was marked by bold, sometimes controversial judgments that emphasised human rights, implied freedoms, and judicial independence. He died in 1986, after enduring a period of fierce public scrutiny and political pressure. Through it all, Murphy remained a figure of intense conviction. His legacy lies in a vision of law as an instrument of social justice, carried from the courtroom to the highest echelons of legal and political power.