Colin H. Murray
Biography
Colin Murray is Chief Executive Officer in the North America Region with responsibility for managing Baker McKenzie's practices and people in the United States, Mexico and Canada. In addition, he leads North America in executing the Firm's strategy and purpose, which is to help clients navigate an increasingly complex world. Colin considers himself a "servant leader" and values the input of his entire leadership team, partners, clients and employees. As such, he works hard to makes himself accessible to every single person at the firm at every level of the organization. A strong believer in the power and efficacy of diverse teams, he has worked hard to increase the diversity of the North America Leadership team, which now comprises more than 60% of diverse individuals, including women, attorneys of color and members of the LGBTQ community. In 2021, the ABA Litigation Section awarded Colin their coveted Diversity in Leadership Award.
A seasoned trial lawyer who represents global and local clients in complex, fact-intensive business disputes, Colin has tried over 50 cases through final jury verdict, as well as a substantial number of bench trials and private domestic and international arbitration proceedings. He is a former prosecutor who regularly conducts internal investigations on behalf of special committees, and has defended SEC and state agency enforcement actions on behalf of companies and individuals. He also has significant appellate experience, having briefed and argued in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the California Court of Appeal.
Practice Focus
Colin's business litigation and arbitration practice focuses on cross-border disputes in California. He regularly acts for clients on matters involving commercial contract breaches, warranty breaches, misrepresentation and fraud, unlawful and unfair business practices, consumer class actions, non-competition and other restrictive covenants, trade secret theft, copyright and trademark infringement, False Claims Act litigation, securities litigation and complex employment contract litigation.
Colin's internal investigation and white collar defense experience includes complex cybercrimes, procurement fraud, healthcare fraud, securities fraud, election fraud, bank fraud, environmental crimes and corruption. He previously co-led the investigation into one of the largest cyberattacks in United States history committed by sophisticated overseas intruders.
Representative Legal Matters
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Obtained a defense verdict in a fraud, misrepresentation concealment and contract case on behalf of market leading software enterprise services companies following a six-week jury trial.
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Obtained a defense verdict and an award of over USD 2.2 million for a non-profit entity in breach of contract and fraudulent conveyance arbitration.
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Successfully defended a medical device manufacturer (cancer treatment) in a one-month ICC arbitration held in Hong Kong.
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Obtained a plaintiff verdict and an award of USD 30 million in a fraud and breach of fiduciary duty case following a bench trial.
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Obtained a plaintiff verdict and an award of USD 7.2 million in a misrepresentation, concealment and civil conspiracy case following a three-week jury trial.
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Obtained a defense verdict in a breach of contract/fraud case filed by a former executive against a medical implant company after a two-week jury trial.
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Obtained a defense verdict in a breach of contract/fraud case filed by a distributor against a media company after a four-week jury trial.
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Defended one of the world's largest manufacturers of transportation vehicles and equipment in week-long ICDR arbitration and related civil litigation.
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Defended an international airline in a nationwide class action against 2.2 million consumers on alleged identity theft and violation of privacy laws.
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Obtained a defense verdict and an award of USD 1.4 million in attorneys' fees for corporate telecommunications entities and their principals after a month-long arbitration arising out of failed stock purchases.
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Obtained an extension of non-interference covenants against the founder of a dental implant manufacturing company on behalf of the purchaser after a two-week arbitration.
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Secured a favorable settlement in a commercial fraud case after a week-long jury trial just prior to closing arguments.
Professional Honors
- Ally of the Year – Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards 2024
- ABA Litigation Section's Diversity Leadership Award, 2021, for his outstanding commitment to promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession through the encouragement and inclusion of women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and/or persons of differing sexual orientations and gender identities.
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- Christine LaGarde Award Recipient, 2018, for extraordinary leadership and passion in championing diversity and inclusion across the Firm
- Securities and Professional Liability Ranking, Benchmark Litigation, 2020
- Recognized lawyer, Super Lawyers, Northern California, 2013-2022
- Recognized lawyer, Super Lawyers, San Diego, 2007-2012
- Top 50 lawyers in San Diego, 2011-2012
- Recognized white-collar litigation lawyer, The Best Lawyers in America
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Barrister, Order of Justitia, Litigation Counsel of America
Corporate Responsibility
- Serves on the Board of Georgetown University Law Center, which to provides counsel to the Dean, with the particular focus on: strengthening the academic goals of the Law Center and improving its visibility, both nationally and internationally; enhancing DEI at the Law Center, and increasing and strengthening the financial resources of the Law Center.
- Serves on the Attorney Advisory Board for the Georgetown Law's Center on Poverty and Inequality's Initiative on Gender Justice & Opportunity, which addresses challenges and proposes solutions to help marginalized young girls thrive, particularly girls of color.
- Served as a director for the Casa Cornelia Law Center, which provides representation to the poor in immigration cases.
- Served as a director of the San Diego County Bar Foundation (President 2006-2008), which funds legal programs for homeless, senior citizens, abused children, domestic violence, and other worthy causes.
- Provided pro bono legal counseling and representation to the Chadwick Center for Children and Families at Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego.
Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California~United States (2017)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit~United States (2016)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California~United States (2005)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit~United States (2003)
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California~United States (2000)
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California~United States (2000)
- District of Columbia~United States (1994)
- California~United States (1992)
- Illinois~United States (1992)
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.) (1991)
- Georgetown University (A.B.) (1988)
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Previous Offices
- San Diego