Tips from the Bench: The Honorable Peter F. Murray

“Welcome to Department 501 of your San Diego Superior Court.” That’s how the Hon. Peter F. Murray starts every session, setting a tone of openness and order for all who enter his courtroom, presiding over the county’s unlawful detainer calendar in the Central Courthouse. 

Before being elected to the bench, Judge Murray wore many hats over the course of his career, beginning with service in the U.S. Navy, followed by work in prosecution and private practice. With more than 32 years of experience in the legal field, he emphasizes the lasting value of professionalism, preparation, and mutual respect in the courtroom.

While experience is crucial to long-term professional development, Judge Murray advises that first impressions matter the moment a lawyer steps before the bench, particularly for those early in their careers.

Foundational Guidance for New Lawyers

Judge Murray consistently returns to three core values that he believes all attorneys should practice: professionalism and respect, competence, and punctuality.

Professionalism and Respect

Respect for the Court includes not only the judge, but also opposing counsel, litigants, court staff, and the judicial process itself. According to Judge Murray, maintaining a respectful demeanor helps uphold the integrity of the entire legal system.

He reminds attorneys to stay focused and concise in their remarks, especially after a ruling has been issued. Each party is entitled to an explanation of the Court’s decision, he says. After that, attorneys should accept the ruling and move forward. “Less is more,” he advises. Arguing further once the Court has ruled wastes time and detracts from judicial efficiency. Regardless of whether a ruling favors their client, attorneys should always be respectful of both the Court’s time and its decisions.

Competence

Being prepared is non-negotiable. Judge Murray advises that attorneys should thoroughly understand the facts of their case and be ready to present those facts effectively. This level of preparedness not only strengthens oral advocacy but also provides a proper evidentiary foundation to support legal arguments.

Punctuality

Timeliness is a basic yet essential part of legal practice. Whether appearing remotely or in person, attorneys should take care to appear promptly. Arriving on time contributes to the orderly progress of the Court’s docket and reflects well on one’s professionalism. It also helps establish a strong and positive first impression before the bench.

Advocacy That Respects the Court’s Time

Judge Murray places a high value on clear, efficient oral advocacy. He distinguishes strong courtroom advocates as those who can highlight key issues without repeating the contents of their written motions.

“The judge has already read the motion papers,” he notes, emphasizing that simply restating arguments on the record is unnecessary and counterproductive. Instead, advocates should sharpen the focus during their hearing: underscore key points, introduce new supporting case law, or draw attention to important evidence relevant to the issues at hand. Effective advocacy respects the Court’s time while strengthening the client’s position.

As Judge Murray says, “Time is a precious commodity.” Saving time not only aids individual cases, it also enhances access to justice for everyone waiting to be heard.

Developing Your Own Style

“You never want to be someone else than who you are,” Judge Murray advises. While observing seasoned trial lawyers can be educational, new attorneys should use those observations to inform and develop their own authentic advocacy style.

He encourages junior attorneys to take every opportunity to argue motions and take cases to trial. Repeated practice helps hone courtroom skills and builds confidence. On the writing side, he notes that active voice typically makes for stronger legal writing. However, when used sparingly in oral argument, passive voice can sometimes be tactically effective — tempering the tone or softening difficult positions before the Court.

Final Thoughts

Judge Murray urges both new and experienced attorneys to make the most of the Court’s time, to be prepared, and to always practice with civility and mindfulness to judicial efficiency. 

Sasha Jamshidi is an associate attorney at Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP, and a graduate of UC San Diego and California Western School of Law. She has a strong background in insurance defense.