James Murphy

At a glance

James Murphy returned to the NLRB as a board member after a career on its legal staff. His hearing statement describes progression from student intern to staff attorney, supervisor, senior counsel and chief counsel before retirement in 2021.

Summary sources: [1] [2]

Career and documented accomplishments

• Murphy said he began NLRB work as a summer intern in 1974 while at American University law school, graduated in 1976 and became a full-time staff attorney. He described chief-counsel work for successive board members from 2008 until December 2021. [2]
• The board’s January 2026 announcement records more than forty-seven years of prior service and identifies his most recent staff role as chief counsel to Chairman Marvin Kaplan. [1]

Role and nomination context

• The NLRB records his January 7, 2026 swearing-in for a term ending December 16, 2027. His testimony identified delay and the case backlog as reasons for returning; those priorities do not establish that the backlog has since been resolved. [1] [2]

Sources and review date

Career and role sources reviewed Oct 14, 2026. These sources may describe developments beyond the nomination snapshot; each nomination entry retains its recorded date and outcome.

1. James Murphy and Scott Mayer sworn in as Board Members

   National Labor Relations Board. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.

2. Statement of James Murphy, October 1, 2025 (PDF)

   Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.