Live from WIPL: Emily Murphy on Leading with Authenticity in Law
In the latest episode of Law.com’s Legal Speak podcast, recorded live from the Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) conference in New York City on October 15, 2025, host Cedra Mayfield sat down with Thompson Coburn partner Emily Murphy. Described as one of the “most inspiring and empowering women’s conferences in the legal space,” WIPL brings together trailblazing women to tackle leadership, branding, and equity in the profession. Murphy, a corporate transactions specialist, shared her journey as a woman of color in Big Law, the power of personal authenticity, and strategies for building influence. The 20-minute discussion (a quick listen) blends optimism, humor, and hard-won wisdom, making it essential for aspiring leaders.
Emily Murphy’s Career Highlights
Murphy, a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP in Chicago, specializes in guiding startups, executives, and boards through mergers, acquisitions, and growth strategies. As a woman of color, she often finds herself as “the only person who looks like me in corporate transactions,” a reality she once viewed with self-consciousness but now embraces as her “superpower.” Her personal brand? An “eternal optimist and go-getter” who closes deals with collaborative energy, humor, and cheer: “I’ll go to the mat and close your transaction for you. I bring humor, I bring cheer, and I work collaboratively. If you want a deal closed, come to me.”
Reflecting on her path, Murphy noted a pivotal shift after making partner: “There’s a natural break in a law firm—once you make partner, you’ve got to step up your game. It’s not just about being a great lawyer anymore. I started thinking intentionally about the energy I wanted to put out there.” She leverages LinkedIn strategically—”I check in a couple times a week. I share knowledge with my industry, connect people, and help clients. My brand is about being helpful”—to amplify her voice and foster connections.
Leadership Advice: Embrace Authenticity as Your Edge
A core theme was leading with genuineness over perfection. Murphy urged professionals to “be authentic. Be your true self. Optimism and humor go a long way—and people respond to that because it’s real.” She recounted evolving from feeling out of place to owning her presence: “You can just be yourself. It’s so much easier.” In high-stakes deals, this means infusing transactions with positivity to build trust and momentum.
Drawing from her WIPL panel, “The Power of Presence,” Murphy stressed intentional branding: Project the energy that aligns with your strengths, whether that’s relentless advocacy or quiet collaboration. Her takeaway? Leadership isn’t about mimicking others—it’s about amplifying what makes you unique, turning potential vulnerabilities into assets.
Insights on Women in Law: Banding Together for Collective Rise
Murphy highlighted the ongoing struggles for women, especially women of color, in a male-dominated field: “Women are struggling out there—we need to band together and support one another.” WIPL, she said, creates vital space for this: “Conferences like WIPL give us space to share stories and knowledge so that all boats rise with the tide.” Anecdotes from the event included panel discussions on navigating imposter syndrome and leveraging networks for sponsorship, not just mentorship.
She advocated for proactive allyship—mentoring juniors, celebrating wins publicly, and challenging biases head-on. For firms, Murphy implied a call to action: Invest in diverse pipelines and inclusive cultures to retain talent amid burnout rates hovering at 50% for women lawyers.
Why This Episode Resonates Now
As law firms grapple with hybrid models and equity pushes, Murphy’s message is timely: Authenticity fuels resilience and influence. Her blend of vulnerability and drive offers a blueprint for thriving, not just surviving, in law. Tune in for the full convo on Spotify or Law.com, and catch WIPL highlights on their site.
If you’re gearing up for leadership or want more on WIPL panels, let me know!