Friday, October 14, 2005
Page 1
Veteran Administrator Named to Head State Bar’s Office of Admissions
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Veteran State Bar administrator Gayle Murphy was named yesterday to head the State Bar of California’s Office of Admissions.
Murphy, 52, will replace Jerome Braun as senior executive for admissions. Braun is scheduled to retire on Nov. 1.
Murphy previously served as the office’s director for administration. In her new role she will oversee the work of 60 employees who provide staff support to the Committee of Bar Examiners.
The committee, comprised of 10 attorneys and nine public members, administers the twice-yearly bar examination, screens bar applicants for moral character, and recommends those who qualify to the California Supreme Court for admission to the bar. It also accredits law schools in California, registers unaccredited and correspondence law schools and studies and reports on proposed changes in the law and other matters concerning the requirements for admission to practice law in California.
“We were pleased with the quality of the many applicants for the position that we received,” State Bar Executive Director Judy Johnson said in a statement. “Although there were several highly qualified candidates, Gayle’s long relationship with the State Bar and her integral familiarity with the admissions process helped her stand out among the candidates. Gayle has been an important contributor to the State Bar.”
Murphy joined the State Bar in 1981 as an administrative assistant in the Office of Admissions and has served there in a variety of positions since. She becomes only the fourth top admissions executive in 40 years, following Kenneth McCloskey, James Tippin and Braun.
“This is obviously a very important part of the State Bar and one that has served the State Bar, the public and the profession well,” Johnson said. “Gayle has been vital to that process and will be even more of a contributor in her new role.”
Copyright 2005, Metropolitan News Company