Patrick J. Murphy

I didn’t get into University of Notre Dame.

Applied twice. Rejected twice. No ambiguity.
This weekend, they invited me back—for the second time—to give a keynote.

So… I guess we’re even. Ha.

I spoke about two things I know something about: military service and the law. Specifically, the gap between the justice system people with lawyers get—and the one too many are left to navigate on their own. Veterans fall into that gap more often than most people realize.

That’s why clinics like this matter. They don’t just provide legal services—they make the system actually work for the people it’s supposed to serve.

There’s a reason Dick the Butcher wanted to get rid of the lawyers first in Henry VI, Part 2. The people who want to cut corners have always known lawyers are the obstacle.
Veteran lawyers especially. They show up with a different mindset—one grounded in service, accountability, and actually getting things done.

Grateful to be invited back—on much better terms this time.
Full remarks and video of the speech are in the link below.
Go Irish.

“The First Thing We Do, Let’s Kill All the Lawyers” My keynote address at Notre Dame's Veterans Law Clinic on public service and the two justice systems in America.

Breaking bread tonight with the real heroes at Evesham Fire-Rescue alongside my buddy Captain Jim Heisler - Army combat medic, 19-year fire service veteran, and the definition of calm under pressure.

Naturally, I had to provide 'advanced technical instruction' on proper fire pole usage.

You're welcome gentlemen. 🔥

When I say American Veterans are civic assets, that they are more likely to come home and volunteer & give back, former 75th Army Ranger Sean Peck & now Pendell Borough Police Office in the embodiment of that.

Now back home in Bucks County, Sean showed all of us at 4:40am this morning, a four alarm fire rang out, volunteer firefighter were at the scene when Pendell Police Officer Sean Peck sprang into action, risking his own life to run into a burning home and pull 8 family members out.

Thank God we have leaders of character like Sean Peck. Makes me so proud to call him a friend & fellow soldier for life.

Fmr. Rep. Patrick J. Murphy (D-PA) on Getting More Veterans Into Public Service With Julie Mason